Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-07-14
For the Tribune.
Mn. EDITOR

quiteu Iof II, Win your PERMISSION l VII
try my hand in writing out story which
| have either read, imagined or dreamp
CT, which may not prove uninteresting tc
some of your many readers. Well, te
commence after the style of the good old
days of yore.
ONCE upon time one of the many fail
maldens of certain thriving city in the
young State of Wisconsin, wandered along
the banks of one of its numerous pleasant
streams, culling here and there beau,i.
Gus dower or graceful shrub, twining in
garlands, or forming them in lovely nose
gays that are always SO pleasing to the
eye. Being one of the pensve sort, she
soon selected a quiet spot in which to
muse upon that ever thrilling theme-the
drama of the living world and lis multitude
of performers. While thus musing with
an occasional sigh or smile, as visions OF
the past or present fitted before her mind
she was interrupted by the appearance of
venerable, silver headed person with a
countenance of such purity and goodness
as would Immediately have disarmed the
most fearful. He kindly saluted her with
pleasant word, which she in the same
spirit returned.
Maiden, have you strayed far from
your home e.
Not far; but you-you appear to be
weary. fear you lave over tasked YOUR
self"
Nay, not 50; lis not WEAKNESS of limb,
but lis of the mind l feel. Listen.
have been wanderer over the face of
the earth for four score years and ten in
search of that which | have not yet found
"a spot in this wide world where true
friendship and christian charity was ex-
tended to our fellow-man. 'Twere use
less to attempt to describe all I've seen,
and | would not if l could. But one Incl
dent | viii relate. After long and tire
some Journey of hundreds Of miles, en-
tered the precincts of a aourishing village
tastefully laid out: where nature had
done her part well, and with heartfelt
sigh of relief exclaimed: Surely have
reached the spot at last! My rowing has
come to an end Rest, sweet rest, a par
adise on earth, at last I've found = From
outward appearances judged rightly
As passed along | saw gay groups of
merry, lght-hearted girls and heard their
singing tones OF laughter. Young men
Just stepping on the threshold of manhood,
parents and children mingling together
happy in each others love and confidence.
passed again that group of men, and
heard their shouts of mirth and saw them
eagerly press forward 10 towards some
seemingly pleasing object. l, too, joined
the throng. What was it! One of their
own companions stood laboring under all
the demoralizing effects of intoxication.-
Was it that that SO amused them 2 Could
il be possibie2 Alas. too true it was,-
Not one feeling of pity for his weakness,
nor regard for the feelings Of his friends,
prompted them to endeavor to lead him
away, and thus prevent him from expos
ing his folly to his own disgrace and NOR
tltication afterward. Not one seemed to
think that 1t was like or even a more
ridiculous sight they themselves presented
while under the same debasing influence.
We would suppose that such at least would
throw the mantle of charity over him,
knowing the strength of the temptation
10 him. who loveth the evil and according
ly sets the ball in motion, not caring or
forgetting that when once set agoing il
rarely stops till i; reaches the bottom
Even parents cease to remember they
have daughters in their charge and tha,
they cannot lool, ahead into the future
Oh, man man, and woman too, WHY
do ye forget that ye, too, are bat human
You cannot read the secret soul of youl
brother, or know its peculiar trials and
temptations.
Oh, for the rarity
OF heaven born charity"
And the old man took up his staff say.
ing, " must journey on; that spot no