The Hillsborough recorder., 1858-04-21
THE OLD TIME GRANDFATHER.
By +. 5. ARTHUR

DEAR old man! He was gen tleman Of the
old school. ripened by age and experience. |
see him now, as look back through more
than forty years, with his courtly garments
and courtly manners, his cheerful countenance
and cheerful words, his manly bearing and
elegant address. He had seen the world in
most ofits aspects; had served his country
both as a statesman and soldier; had brav-
ed. in his time, peril by land and peril by sea /;
yet. in growing older, he had grown gentler
and more refined. The attrition of life had
polished, instead Of abrading the surface Of
his character and marring its beauty. At
seventy, he was the model of an old man.
Grandfather Deering" he was called by
the half score Of boys and girls in the third
generation, IRON two years old and upwards,
who spent many weeks Of each recurring
winter and sumner at the old homestead, to
be remembered long afterwards as the hap
piest times in all their lives. 1t was plea
SAINT sight to see him amid these grandchil-
dren. With the boys he was almost boy
again. He entered into all their sports. and
encouraged them 10 activity that bordered
sometimes on daring. lie had his fishing
tackle, and went with them to the river; his
boat, and accompanied them on water ex-
cursions, and picnics at the islands. There
was only one thing 10 which Grandfather
Deering did not meet the wishes Of his dar-
ling boys. As he advanced in years, the old
man grew tender.hearted. lie had been
something Of sportsman in his younger
days; but now the sight Of bird. instead Of
creating desire TO shatter its beautiful body
with leaden shower, awakened feelings Of
admiration.
"Don't harm The bird" he would say to
bis grandsons. .They have an equal right
with you TO life and enjoyment"
But boys has passion Tor fowling.pieces,
aud are destruetives BY nature. Grandfather
Deering's boy were no exceptions to this
rule. They begged TOR guns; but the old
man. so indulgent IN all things else, was un-
yielding in this.
"No, no, no." he would answer their i'm
portunities-"n not bird shall be harmed
here. love them too well. Shame on you,
boys, for being so cruei-minded! Is plea.
sure so rare, that you must seek il in the
destruction Of lfef I shall have to send
you all home again, ! see. You are not hap.
py az Grandfather Deering's."
And so he would conquer. The little
girls, his granddaughter. were an especial
delight to the old man. lie saw their moth.
ers' childhood revived 10 them; and that
must have restored 10 almost living freshness
tie sainted image Of one these fragrant hu-
man blossoms had never seen.
Grandfather Deering was not a childish,
but manly old man. To the last he retain.
ed al the accomplishments Of eady and mid
die life. In company. his graceful attention
10 ladies' was in marked contrast with the
awkward restraints, cold reserve. or almost
offensive Indifference so often witnessed in
those who are advanced in years. Witt
young men, whose society he liked. he was
aifable, courteous, and free from dOginatism
His mind was active and progressive; and
though old In wears. he was young 10 though
and feeling. Il pleased him to note the ardo
Of impulse in young men. and his aim was 4
direct, never TO restrain Il. tie was always
ready TO excuse their errors; TO sympathiz,
with them in disappointment; to help then
upwards BY kind words, instead OF depres
sing them BY cold discouragements. Wit
young ladies' he was neither critical nor cyni
cal. The new aspects Of fashion never dis
turbed him, though he had not changed hi
own style Of dress for more than twent.
years. How gayly, and with them what ion'