The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-05-06
ASHLAND ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO, WEDNESDAY MoRr

l listened with an interest, took no
pains to conceal to his rambling, impa-
tient discourse, for it opened to me a
new and sad aspect for life; one OF
which 1 had till that moment never
dreamed. The thought was horrible /;
of an energetic and vigorous life palsi-
ed and worn out in this slow torture, of
ahanger- on to government; this degrad-
irg consciousness of noble powers and
.aributes, utterly thrown away. 1t
S7ss sad TO contemplate man so pos
sessed with one idea IA very devil, like
aaose of old times, tearing him) that all
Use in life-be it great or little--was
| nade subservient aud auxiliary TO it
For him, alas the President and the
Congress wore only chosen, to aid in Sc
I curing this claim of his. He was a man
Of intellect and education; and his
whole manner proved it, and how had
l-st the cruel process of years of suffer
ing, with this clinging to bis one idea,
broken and subdued him.
/ Were these other men, pacing slowly
up and down, or listlessly standing be-
I sidethe eplnshipg fountains, also poor
tide waiters-poor beggars for charity,
or pursuers of somo fancied claim, be-
sSeching tardy government by some
grievous wrong?
His revelations had given me new
interest in the passers, and I regarded
them as something moro than mere COM
mon men. Their histories possessed
for me, ignorant as 1 was of them,
strange interest; and 1 felt singular
commisseration for the manyfaces around
me. In the new excitement he had awak-
ened in my breast, forgot that his was
probably an exceptional case, even in
the sad ranks of Office seeker, and claim
epts; and ! overlooked the rrobabili-
ty that the greater number of those
strolling through the grounds, were like
myself, strangers, impelled by curiosity.
or residents and members, taking their
usual promenades. So far was I earri-
ed by imagination, that began to spec
>elate upon the heavily bearded man
(wbom I afterwards found was Sam
Houston) who sat not far from US, in
profound meditation, occasionally caress,
iRg his, grey poustache.
I was at length upon the point of ad
dressing him, when the silken rustic of
dress startled me from my purposes, and
I saw o stately lady, with grave, sweet
smile upon her face, standing directly
before u.s. think in all my life I never
bebeld SO beautiful creature. An an
gel from the highest heavens could hard
ly wear more benignant, more ten
der aspect, while from her soft brown
eyes there shone depth of love for the
unfor. .unato being at my side, for the
sake of which, ten thousand lives like
his were well wasted. Her form. too,
was most queenly, and beside the poor
claimant, she stood very empress.
Henry" she said, "shall we not
ride homo my dear? The doctor thinks
that you arc not strong enough to bear
so much exposure"
He had not before observed her, but
at the sound of her voice, a change, sud
den and startling as on electric shock,
came over the man. His feeble form
erected itself; the light in his eye fash
ed clear and STRONG, and raising, he stood
before memo longer a broken down
claiment, but a gentleman and proud
one.
I had known it from the first, and in
uncovered my head, to do
her reverence.
He has been telling you our histo-
ry, see," she said, with quiet, and
not joyless smile.
I'VE got our claim few weeks
since, and poor Henry has been very i'll.
The doctor says, that the disappoint-
ments he has suffered these fifteen years
past, so broke him down, that he had
not power to bear the good news at first,
but with change of scene, he will be
better soon. You would hardly think"
she added, with glance toward him of
tender compassion, that he is only
forty-seveu, to-day."-Mrs. Stephens
Nea0 Monthly.