The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-10-15

of my affection, which ever since flowed free
ly forth at her bidding; whose prayers con-
stantly ascended to heavenf Tor her darling boy.
and who taught me too, to form the words Of
devotion, and told me that they should come
from the heart. And who, as grew older,
sentiDe forth with her blessirg to battle in the
arena Of life, and then sank peacefully to her
rest. q essFs ss.s ,a,sf !. - s.a.sg Spss ss
sFes,my Motherls thy image is~still frsshin
my heart, and the thought OF thee and thy in
structions still keeps ne in the right path -
And, Mother, when soon this weary soul is
called to leave this world, thy voice and thy
hand will be frst among the seraph choir to
welcome me to my home. 49,. aas
And side by side with hsrimage stands my
Fathers, that upright, manly one, whose coun-
sci and advice have kept me from many a
snare. Rigid as Puritan, yet gentle as girl,
firm and loving As he'was, the light Of love
and righteousness which he shed abroad when
living, has net, l think God, gone out in my
heart yet, and hope never may. esa
The images, too, OF brother and sister are
there, the noble and the sffectionste, the very
| type of noble manhood, the pride of his fami-
~, who has filed field Of usefulness in this
world and is now resting from his labors with
his Master. The other mild and gentle, pure
and undefled in heart, whose love for all was
overlooking, an was like running stream,
which infused by its gentle influence new life
and vigor to all that came within her reach,
and thus she went through life, till its stream
mingled with the ocean of eternity.
Yes, they are all gone, and alone am left
but will soon follow. -,.7 1sss
But there Is one picture which have not
yet shown you, which Ipreserve the most sa-
credly Of all, and il is of that which wish
principally to speak. Look well at it, for
warrant that never has face or form more
beautiful than this met your gaze. That grace
ful figure with its we'll rounded arms and
shoulders, szz l,ssss ss'' s $50
"And whittier skin ~ hers than snow"
Those bright blue eyes which seemed so full
of spirit ard mirth. and yet could display emo
fions and feelings FAR too deep for utterance.
The dark curling hair which shaded her face,
and now and then cast tinge Of melancholy
thoughtfulness over her fair white brow. Yes,
you may, perhaps, meet such form and face,
bat you will never find such soul as dwelt ir
her breast, OF . heart as true as that which
beat IN her bosom. garn~,r z,
Many have wondered why Tam bachelor
This is the reason. w .@ gAA@H
can look back throngha long vista Of ff-
ty-two years to the first time l met Laura
Beaumont, when was but eighteen wears old
and she but sixteen. We met purely by chance
at the house of "a mutual friend, where my
heart received it's first shock. This was the
commencement Of our acquaintance. After
this saw her frequently, and the affection +
had then conceived for her grew stronger and
stronger every day.. -Ha sa
Thus six months passed. had formed an
acquaintance ~ith her parents. who being ac-
quainted with the social position and wellth
of mine, looked; upon my intimacy with their
daughter very benignly. ss sas
Atlength thesseventf,d ,iay,'' as lit is ca.-
led, came. Twas, by her parents invitation,
spendinga day or two with them upon farm
of theirs, previous to my last year at college.
Laura and had proposed to visit a poor fam
lily, who lived some two miles distant. She
was to 60 on horseback, hut az preferred
walking snch a distance, was to 20 on foot.
Accordingly we started. Our route lay thro'
wood part Of the way beside a brook. where
we used to fish (for she could fish as we'll or
better than y. which now gnrgled along, keep
ing a sweet Accompaniment to the breeze as 1T
played among the giants Of the forest, and the
birls which sang among their leaves
Twas walking beside her pony, with my
hand on his name, with my eyes bent on the
ground, and my heart all ready to overflow
with the emotions felt. When she spoke,
f'John," said she, show sorry am that
yon are going away.' a
I She was thinking OF the matter in another
light than was.
|" Areyon?'' said I, looking steadily into
her face. Her expression had fitted in so ex-
actly with my thoughts that forgot that she
ce,ild be thinking Of anything else, 7 sdp-
pose my look startled her, as believe my
thoughts were plainly expressed on my face,-
for she blushed, looked down and then CLAM
cling at me, answered; Fss .ss,4 - sl
Certainly, John, do you suppose can help
missing you? When you are gone away .
shall have no companion in my walks and
rides, and no one to help me in my charitable
expeditions.' T. ss,s1s K & siftsg-s sss
turned and gazed st her and said, I" Laura,
is that al? Do you only think Of me as q
pleasant companion, as a method Of amusing
your lonely hours, just as dog or horse or
pet might be? Is it only because drive
away ennui that you are sorry I am goingf I
had hoped it was more" aass u .efna
Her face was turned slightly away from
me, bat could see the rich blood rush in
headiong torrent to her cheeks, aud she said,
.sJohn, there is something more" .i5lf 9 =
"Laara," said !, impetuously seizing her
hand. which was playing nervousiv with her,
riding whip. I. .Look at me, Laura what is
there morsa May Itslf you what moreI wish?'
She lifted her eyes to mine Cor a.nomsnt, with
a se~t Of questioning glance and then let them
fall again. But that one glance was sufRcielt
TO do ITS work. g .saEss 81 stalea# ~
!. 81 will tell you," continued !, 81 would
that yeu love me as ! love you That for my
love you would miss me; that for my face you
wonld wish for thA love vo,, haas v.o !. fkr,A