Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-01-17
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From "The Nation" Philadelphia.
OVER THE WAY.
BY MRS. BETTE c. LOCK.

What an interest we will take in the
things by which we are surrounded and
as we see the same objects day by day,
they become famiiariZed, until they al
most appear like old friends. We won
der aud speculate upon what is passing,
ana regret change as much as if it con
cerned US. Such was the train Of thought
feI! into as my eyes rested on the large
brown house opposite. How il was get
ing fixed up; tie painters and paper
hangers had been there, and then the up
holster was busy, and new carpets and
furniture going IN, and that which -four
shed in the first wife's time, had gone of
to the auctioneer. But so /, is, life is full
of change, the old must give place TO the
new old friends become eslranged and
new friendships are formed +; loved mem
ories give place 10 bitter regrets and
blooming flowers give place TO dead leaves.
The sounds of music and lancing and gay
laughter, with the faint perfume Of flow
ers, are waited to me as sit at the open
window, for there is a bridal party over
the way, and all seems blaze of light
and splendor. Now fair form glldes by
in the dance, an6 then soft sweet voice
is warblng a sad song, greatly at variance
with the scene. Ah but there must be
heavy hearts everywhere, in the gayesl
scene YOU will find some. Later the
lights are all out and everything is hush
ed into dreamy stiffness, and Fight form
glides TO the window, still in the bridal
robes she puts lightly aside the soft mus
lin curtain, and gazes with clasped hands
and appraised eyes to the slar-gemmed
sky her lips move in silent prayer, and
she sinks down until her head rests on
the window. The moonbeams rest low
ingly amid her dark rrsseS, and The night
dew falls gently, and battles her feverish
brow with refreshing GOODNESS, but
brings no allev:atlon TO the aching heart.
guess now whence came that saddened
strain. Oh, gold, that even human love
and the hearts best affections should be
barlered for thee, how many sad bridal
hast thou made. Ii was The same old slo-
ry her hand had been bartered for
wealth, but not until she had been assured
that he whose love had been the bright
day dream of her life had found a grave
in strange land. but his image would
come TO her. and she once as her face was
turned 10 the half opened door, thought
she saw him standing there gazing a, her
with sad reproachful look. A hand is
laid gently on her shoulder, and she al.
lows herself TO be led away for her hus-
band loves her well and thinks with his
great wealth to win her love all TO him.
self.
A year sped quickly by, and it is the
anniversary of The bridal party but no
sounds of galels and music reach me now;
All is stiffness and darkness save the faint
glimmering that comes lhrongh The bowed
shutters. There is the same wiIdow,and
the moonlight is streaming over II, as
brightly as Il did one year ago, and there
in Thai same room is The bride, and again
in her bridal robes. hui this time The BRIDE
oroo,n ;s Death. Wharconld wealth do
towards binding up the wounds OF a oro-
ken heart, and what could 1t DO 10 orihg