The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1859-08-25
OKOLONA, MISS, AUGUST 25, 1859.

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forgetfulness grew over the scars in hel
: heart, where the old loves and longings
had been pruned away, as moss grows
upon tree that has scarce been wisely
and kindly tended by the gardener A
tree somewhat dwarfed perhaps, and q
little warped from the natural intent, vel
:. with thrifty principle of growth within
and, on the whole, more useful, If not more
| symmetrical, than some growing in sun
ny places, with no wounds for the moss
to cover.
| lt.would be difficult to say through
what precise agency this state of things
was finally changed. An acquaintance
formed, here and there an association
revived ; few words of apprecia-
tion now and then falling upon her
ear; the consciousness that no interest,
pertaining to the home which was the
dearest place on earth TO her, need suf-
fer; more than all, the just and scrupu-
lous study of herself led her at last to re-
nounce her determination of nevermore
giving her thoughts to writing Not
without much serious consideration, the
dust ives removed from her desk, and
over it a new resolution taken. Like the
persevering genius of Miss Bremer's
Home" she said, my husband shall
yet be reconciled to my poor little gift.
The acknowledgement may come or not,
but the reconciliation must ~
Hester's heart longed for the acknowl-
edgment. She longed to hear, q am
satisfied that you have been true to your
self; | rejoice, true wife, that your faith
and hope We're greater than my charity"
She commenced, and continued her eff
forts, not with the former, feverish yearn-
ing for the recognition of kindred minds;
but in calm and hopeful patience. She
expected no sudden nor brilliant success
in the So called literary world, but she
did expect that the little key which the
sure hands of faith and patience had
wrought out, and polished for her, would
unlock the inner sanctuary of many
Heans. And she was not disappointed.
lime passed away, bringing her all OF
the worlds appreciation that she desired,
and the greater satisfaction of feeling that
her husband rejoiced in her success
One thing more she coveted; the ac-
knowledgment of this by one little word.
But the habit of years Is slow to be bro
ken, and it was long before the wife learn
ed from her husbands lips, that he was
satisfied with her course 1t came at
last; poor Hester
Charles Irving had left his home on
business which would require protrac-
ted absence. 1t was near the appointed
time for his return, and Hester, in her
happy home, was arranging the proof
sheets of her forthcoming volume, deter
mined to offer them for his inspection,
when telegraphic dispatci was placed
in her hands, SAmmoniug ker to his death
bed. A railroad collision had occurred,
by which many instantly met an awful
death, and Charles Irving's injuries were
such as to allow no hope of recovery.
At the close of heightened interview,
in which he had eonyersed with much
calmness, and in which the bewildered
wife had borne but little part, save by
sobs and prayers, he said
Zone thing more, my Hester, and /
have done. God has given you noble
and beautiful gift, which, in former years,
| failed to value as should have done.
II has been bitter thought, since lying
nere, that my death might seem to you
ike the removal of restraint from your
pen. But remember, dearest, it is my
lying wish that you continue in the exer-
Use of this talent, and that in it you may
ind some consolation for your grief and
some comfort for your loneliness"
More he would have added, but she
checked him. Oh, was this the hour to
which she had looked forward with so
much hope, such eager longing! Her
'eward had come - the draught was
'weet; must the cup that held it be shat
cred while she quaffed? The flowers
hat should have made the only garland
he coveted for her head--must she gath
II them from the brink Of the gravel
Even so had the father willed it -
over that head, "bowed like bulrush,"l
he storm swept bitterly, yet, in its dark
st hour, the remembrance of those last
rords was exquisetely sweet and sooth-
ng. In after years, her "little gift"
FASTENED and exalted by sorrow, made
er name one of the shining lights Of her
ountry's literature: yet more welcome
. her heart than any praise, was the
bought that she was but acting out Ais
fishes; and every effort of her pen, be-
IRE it met the public eye, was lovingly
edicated to him who had "gone before" {
mr. A doWp-east girl being bantered