True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-04-08
9 fnst 8atte .Stetg,
IN BEYOND THE ORCHARD.
CHAPTER /.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

-hfi % .'''H''ft'
f,s,t,.e.t CHAPTER !. ,s..
It was a March night when we parted,
with The dark clouds above, and the cold,
black shadows all around US. tr
ioUI did not read the (uture-second sight
was denied me--but my soul was filled
with direlul iorebodings. 5
gn Willis laughed at me when shudder-
ed in his embrace, and called me a " fool
ish little thing" as he kissed away the
damp dew Of presentiment which had
gathered on my forehead. m ae .4r
Willis Graves end | had been play.
mate from our infancy up--the wild dells
about Rock spring had echoed to our uni
ted voices, and all the birds nests which
had from year TO year made their ap-
pearance in the old hedges, had been
peeped into by two pairs of curious eyes,
belongngrespectively TO Willis Graves
and l. We grew to early manhood and
womanhood with the same spirit of con-
fidence between US, and the childish af-
fection strengthened and, expanded until
il became an intense love. When Willis
was eightoentn1 two years younger,
with the consent Of our fIiends VIC were
betrothed. I'"'HH'''e '' f" ','"
~ Willis hada strange, absorbing passion
for study !; his mind was unsatisied with
common things, andhe longed ardently
TO distinguish himself. But lis father
was only a day laborer on the estate Of
Col. Giles, a man Of wealth ;.and Willis
wentto The district school. Here Ills un.
firing industry conduced 10 success; and
when Willis was fifteen, he was pro,
nouncea by bis teacher the best scholar
there AiH .'' H'I t''4'l '1- ''"r''
a7 BY laboring for Col. Giles III the sum.
ner and fall, will contrived to scrape to-
7gether means sufficient to support him
through the winter and spring at White
hall Academy. AT the age Of nineteen
lie entered college, teaching in the inter
mediate school 10 defray his expenses.
That was a proud day for me--the day
Of his admittance to those Halls sacred 10
the idol he worshipped- knowledge
remember how l wandered out into the
sunshine and thought the trees Fad never
looked so bright, or the blue Ssky so fair
$50 much like heavens own drapery.
And there was d deep psalm Of praise
5weling Up from my heart, and joining the
grand beautiful anthem which the sum
mer wind swept down from the grey
mountains for l was happy oh, SO hap
9py The life long wish Of Willis was
lobe gratifed-.tlie barriers were removed,
and the broad field which surrounded
the tenipleof learning waited his foot
steps. 'f'' &' .'' .t.+ +a' - y
'~' ] did not know then how very dear
Willis was 10 me Il ;alhousand times since
have realized all. =" Ssit.oN "".
~ During his collegiate course he. came
often 10 see us, stopping al the old red
house in beyond the orchard, to kiss the
pale, ,browed woman who toiled here SO
patiently from morning ill night; her
heart nor fingers never wearying, for the
thoughts other absent boy were to her
rest and strength. " ' ''.'
Those were golden seasons-Willis'
,yisits--and |, simple thing, used to count
the very hours which would elapse ere
the brown, curly head and hazel eyes
would bring sunshine into the door.
Willis prospered how could it be 9th.
erwise when his whole soul was concen
traied upon the work With The highes
honors Of the university lie graduated
and after receiving his, degree, came
home TO spend few weeks previous tc
entering upon some business ayocator
How we wandered, hand in hand, owe
,the dear. familiar hills, and sal down to
..gether beneath the crimson naples, /
wastlale autumn then ;,but the wild, hol
low winds sounded not sad in my ear, fo
his voice broke that wierd chanting
What cared ! that The cold dearih Of No
Ssember was settling over the earlh-wa
no, my life path glowing aud limited By
aahe star Of love! y osad eei. y ls0
9i'i By and by the FIRST feathery snov
came, and still Willis fingered, as ifloatl
to leave US. The charge Of the viliag
school was offered him--he accepted il
and taughttill the latter part Of February
i wished the school might last forever
il would be SO lonely when he was gone
but the'end came, and Willis announces
his intention Of going to The great town 9
NTr7-, some two hundred miles distan
Ito seek for employment suitable 10 hi