The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-01-28

more OF that spiritual realm where all is love
and harmony, than Of earth where discord q
abounds, and enjoy arich interchsge Of thought,
sentiment and emotion, that made him feel
elevated in soul moe and more toward the
good and the perfect. They were mutually
conscious Of improvement, intellectually and
/ spiritually, at every meeting. They did not
converse about their acqnaintances. the best
novels, or the floating rumors and ISLANDERS Of
the town, for this would be descending from
their high positions Of intelligence and purity.
They had abundant resources Of their own
high thoughts and poetic inaslnings that made
them forget the trivial matters that generally
occupy the attention Of the young. Harrold's
voice was manly and melodioas, his conversa-
tion easy, always animated and frequently
touchinglv eloquent Emma's distinct and mu-
sicsl, her enunciation perfect, and her words
rolled from her tongue as though they were
called forth by some superior spirit. Her
countenance was in the highest degree ex-
pressive, and beamed the sentiment before it
was communicated in speech. She could not
speak without the fullest manifestation Of
deep sincerity, and her heart never knew dis
| sembling.
Thus did Harold pass his hours Of recrea-
ton. and thus was his mind rerewed and
strengthened for still greater efforts. He had
now prepared himself not only for college,
but for the junior class, and the time Of his
departure for an eastern institution was at
hand. He did not direct his attention to an
eastern college because the west furnished not
all the aids he wished, but that he might enjoy
the healthful influence of . change of scenery
and society. Hehat been but little from home
and he looked upor a short residence in New
England, as valuable discipline.
The commencement Of the academy was at
hand, when half score Of good students and
able young men were to make their last ap-
pearance in original speeches. before taking
their seats in collegiate classes. These exhi-
biticns have been well attended, but on this oc-
casion crowd was expected, for the fame Of
several promising students had gone abroad,
and the treat was anticipated with some i'm
patience by the people. The speakers were
not restricted in time, and each was expected
| to manifest himself to the best advantage, be-
ing his own judge as to the degree Of interest
he could elicit and the time he could occupy
without wearying the audience.
The long looked for morning dawnsd--the
hour arrived-the spacious hall was crowded,
and many were compelled to stand about the
doors and outside the windows, content will.
only hearing the speakers. The speakers had
been Chased according to the Professor.
opinion OF their respective merits, 80 that the
interest might increase to the close The ex-
ercises commenced. The first speaker gave
great satisfaction, and applause being mani
Tested, the President requested As an especial
favor to him, that the audience would refrain
from all inclination OF appreciation or disap-
probation during the exercises He enforced
the policy Of this request, and all seemed sat.
ished. The second speaker appeared and &C.
quilted himself with credit. The exercises Of
the forenoon passed of apparently to the high
satisfaction Of the people. During the inter-
mission, many were the enlogiums passed up
on the abilities Of the young men. The hour
having elapsed. the bell cslled together the
audience FOR the afternoon. The Legrand
family obtained seat In front OF the stage,
and Harold felt sec.et fear steal through
his frame. Emma, be knew, was capable OF
criticising minutely, and he did not feel con-
scious Of his ability to justify the favorable
impression he had made. The speaking again
was resumed, At the close Of which the audi
ence. forgetting the Principals request in the
morning, shook the building with applausa.--
He renewed Il with earnestness. The interest
did not flag with either Of the speakers, and
ell seemed proad OF the western talent display
ed on the occasion. There wss an enthusiasm
ttat prevailed the speeches, clear enuncia-
tion, and an energy Of delivery that made the
listeners feel the spirit OF ssch theme.
Harold was selected TO close the regular
exercises. II was noe his turn, and he felt he
could hardly sustain the interest that had been
awakened, and the expectations Of the Assem-.
bly,. All, for the last few months, had heard
much Of him. and they had now come to zee
snd hear for themselves. He had selected Tor
hfs theme, the Spirit Of the Revoluticn,'' .
subject which heretofore had never been truly
treated Or mseh impressed upon the public
mind. To b. SURE, many high sounding speech
es had been made On the National gal..days,
and much said cf Liberty and the heroism Of
the Fathers Of the Republic, but little had been
developed OF the inner soul OF the Revolution,
the spirit Of God and Of Progress that nsrved
the Patriots heart, and fred the enthusiasm Of
the philanthiopist. To treat such theme a
II deserves, requires es-sful study, and kind
Of prophetic power to foresee and foretsll the
great rssults Of that spirit to the world. Fa
Arthur Harold was announced 1 sudden
silence pervaded the assembly-not breath
was heard and al eyes were steadfastiy watch
inc his appearance. He came upon the stage
tn dignihsd and graceful manner, and a.
emotion Of pleasnrs seemed to enkindla every
copotenance. Harold surveyed the audience
Tor moment, giving, from tbs expression Of
the eountsnanct, : prsm6nition of that which
ne vas about to uttss. At length having pre-