The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-05-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
For the North Iowa Times.
ONE YEAR AGO.


BY EMMA F. PRADT.
Only one little year ago! Oh! what
changes has time wrought. Softly and al
most imperceptibly has it glided by, leaving
only its footprints on the shores of time
Round and round, has rolled the cycle OF
time, day after day, week after week, bring
ing with them the varied trifes, the different
tints and coloring that make up the vast
panorama of life-and we gaze backward
with an Involuntary sigh for the past, as
we suddenly remember, we are one gear
nearer eternity.
One year ago! Twas just such a lovely
spring morning as this, Nellie Graves was
married. We rose early. The sun was
just peeping above the horizon, and while
the goddess of Day threw wide her trio.
colored gates Of azure, crimson and gold
and painted her silvery sheen upon the sky
invisible hands swung the great astr.l
lamp of heaven in its midst, and the awak-
ened world welcomed his coming. The
pretty daffodils upon whose motherly bosom
reclined the pearly dew-drop, raised her
head with gracious nod of recognition
while the humble violet and daisies, Jus,
peeping above the hedge, grew brighter in
the sunlight The robin and thrush were
warbling their morning lays when Nellie
and knelt for the last time together-per.
haps the last on earth, to implore God s
blessing. Oh! how fervently she prayed for
grace to enable her to be all to her noble
Walter wifs should be- The breakfast
bell rang, and with pale cheek and throb-
bing heart, Nellie descended to the break
fast room, FASTENED as was her custom to
imprint a loving kiss upon the brow Of her
parents-she placed little Ida by her side.
Little Eddie scarce six summers, looked up
smilingly-remarking: "Our Nell's going
to be married to-day, Ida, and we are going
to have lots Of cake and candy"-and the
bright eyes glistened in anticipation of the
expected goodies The ceremony was to be
at an early hour, and the happy couple We're
to leave far their home in the pretty little
village Of C. Very beautiful appeared
our Nellie that morning in her neatly fitting
travelling dress, no ornament save pin, a
superb cameo, the gift of her father and a
watch and chain, the gift of her dear moth
er. Walter Ainslic too looked to noble, so
manly-his raven hair just shading his broad
open brow, and his eye glowing with the fire
of intellect. Happy Walter and Nellie,
thought l. They were married! With a
bursting heart I bade them good bye, for
Nellie and 1 had been loving friends-nay
sisters is better expression of the feeling
that existed between us-since l, an orphan,
homeless and friendless, had found a home
meath the kindly roof Of good old Mr..
Graves, we had read, studied, rode, walked,
sung together, until it almost seemed could
not live without her, and since she was now
gone, the brightest scenes had lost half their
coloring.
Three months had rolled rapidly away.
Nellie had written to me often, her letters
breathing the most intense happiness; but
one day there came short, hurried, plead
ing note--"Alics! Mother! come quick,
Walter is dying! We FASTENED immediate
ly to pack our trunks, giving few hurried
orders to the bewildered servants, and short
ly we We're seated in the flying cars. Oh!
how slow they seemed to move and yet we
were fastening by cities, and towns, with
fearful rapidity, until at last the spires Of
C We're in view. The engine gave one
wild strickland pattsed. We alighted
and giving hurriedly to the coachman the St.
and No. of Nellie's dwelling, we were soon
rolling rapidly onward towards it. Oh!
how still it seemed around the little cottage.
The blinds were all closed-the attendant
met us at the door with appraised hand, as
if in warning aud we passed silently in.:-
What sitting, breathless silence reigned
there. She conducted us to their ROOM
Poor Nellie met us, her face white Is hel
morning robe, her eyes red and swollen with
weeping. "Mother-Aice, oh! I'm so glad
you've come"-was her quick exclamation
and she sank sobbing upon my bosom
Poor stricken dove, how gladly | pillowet
her hot, throbbing head upon my bosom