M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-02-10
"What though the spicy breezcs
Blow soft over Ceylon's Isle,
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man il yileln

D ana Ohly man Is Nllel"
, Curiously enough, was just re
peating this stanza, when my new &C
quaintance called for me. | had meI
him while on business visit to Cey
Ion, as q countryman of mine, anc
was pleased with the opportunity tina
afforded me a more intimate personal
knowledge.
! thought myself fortunate in fall
ing in with so agreeable a gentleman
and considered his face and manners
peculiarly refined. On our second
meeting | noticed singular restless
ness Of the lips, and disposition tC
be constantly on the move, shown in
the tapping Of light bamboo cane,
or the motion Of foot Or hand.
These things, however, did mo-
strike me as singular at the time, bu
coupled with what | afterwards learn
ed, were certain evidence that the mar
felt already the gnawing of tho worn
that never dies.
One forenoon we left the little sea
port town where | was sojourning
and rode short distance into the in
terror Of the gorgeous island. Most
glorious were the surroundings on ev
cry hand. With a prodigality quite
undreamed Of by the Inhabitants of q
colder cline, nature had showered heI
most exquisite floral gifts everywhere
Trees loaded with sweet.smelling flow,
ers, their intense colors vieing with
the foliage of richer green, from ont
of which they smiled; tall cactus.
plants, with crimson, goblet,shaped
blossoms; lilies, gorgeous in the queen.
ly unfolding Of form and color eve.
ry thing rich, lavish, wonderful, met
our eyes, ieaSted to fullness with this
tropical luxuriance.
That is my house." said my new
friend, pointing to low-roofed cot.
tage, surrounded by a wide veranda,
from whose clinging vines sweet Cd
ors were flung upon the soft atmos-
phero; but from the moment the words
were uttered his sociabiiity departed.
Within the cottage inclosure were
walks, bowers and fountains. Cbaste
Statuary was dispersed over the
grounds with most charming effect
The house seemed almost n fairy
structure, rising in the midst Of flow.
ers and foliage. And the man who
sat beside me, whose smile mounted
no higher than his lips--the dreamy,
far-looking discomfort in his eye grow
ing every moment more PerceptibIe-
was the owner of this Eden.like home.
We were met on the threshold by a
lovely child of some eleven summers.
Her hair hung in curls. Her eyes
particularly lustrous yet mourntul in
beauty, and on the Young brow | seem.
ed to see something--a shadow Of
sadnesS--an unchildlike quiet, as she
greeted my new friend.
Dressed in pure white, she glided
in before US, and to her was left the
duty Of entertaining me; while Mr..
c., eXcusing himself in the remark,
that sickness necessarily called him
away for half hour or 50, lett the
room.
SIS your mother very unwelil" |
asked of the little girl, who with those
Shallow-flled eyes Of hers, was re-
garding mo gently, but at'entively.
"Yes, sir; mamma has been sick a
long time" replied she, dropping her
eyes, while her lips trembled.
"Did you come from America3" she
asked timidly, after long silence.
Eyes, my dear. Do yon know
anything OF that country9" | returned,
growing more and mere pleased with
her expressive face.
"Only that mamma came from
there, and think" she added, he8i-
tating ly, "that l did; butGr. Z. will
never let me talk about it,
care you then not thesise daught-
cr of Mr.. O.l" | asked, somewhat as
tonished.
81 am my mothers daughter" an
swered tue child, with a grave digni-
ty in one so young; and a moment af-
ter she arose and atiety left the
room.
l SAT- watching her white robes fit
ting through the lors shady walk op.
posite my window, land knew that
the child broodel over soma dark sor-