Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-04-19
Snterrsttng Storp.
THE LITTLE CABIN BOY.

shall never forget it--that old stone
mansion, with its ivy-covered porch its
high pointed windows, and the grand old
trees that shaded its rugged walls, and
stood like sentinels upon either side of
the gravel walks. Forget it? No! for
there first behcld the farest being that
ever lived to bless the weary pilgrimage
and throw CLEAN of light athwart the
pathway of lonely, disconsolate man,
A gay, laughing little creature was my
Minnie, with bright, azure eyes, and soft,
chestnut hair, waving coquettishly around
a brow pure as drifting moonbeams. and
falling in rich shining masses over the
sweetest, plumpest little shoulders in the
world. o she was lovely! and how
wildly, madly l loved her; and in return
l knew that was the object of all her
thoughts-the one in whom was centered
all her fondest hopes--and earnestly did
i strive to be worthy of her love.
Her father, Hugh Manville, retired
sea captain, having amassed fortune in
the whaling business, had come with his
family 20 the pleasant village of Marion,
in the State of New York, resolved to
spend the remainder of his days in peace
and quietness-a luxury for which he
had alw ays longed, and which he well
knew how to enjoy. Minnie was the OH
ly child; and although it had always been
a source of regret to the old gentleman
that Providence had not seen fit to bless
him with son, yet that did not prevent
him from taking lively interest in the
welfare of his daughter, and early was
she instructed in all the mysteries OF
swimming diving, skating, &c., and be-
fore she had completed her twelfth year
had with her father, made several success
full voyages around the Horn-yet this
was all in the days of budding childhood.
When | first saw her she was sixteen
the belle of the village-and SO artless
and retiring in her manners that no one
could for moment suppose that she had
ever shared the dangers and hardshipS OF
life at sea, Possessing fertile mind,
lively imagination, and fund OF origin
ality, together with an excellent education
it was not strange that should have been
attracted, or that | should so soon have
found burning in M breast deathless
passion
We were much together; her father ap-
proved of our intimacy; and in the long,
golden November days we would wander
through the dim forests, listening to the
signing of the soft winds as they tloated
dreamily through the swaying branches
of the old elms, sending the crimsoning
leaves in eddying showers to the ground.
We were happy then, and secretly we
pictured to each other life which should
be long holiday of love, devotion and
trust. Wewould never change, "ever.
Time flew by, and business called mt
fIom the side of her | loved.
had, since my acquaintance witt
Minnie, risen from the position of "hand' >
to that of mate of a vessel, plying between
the ports of Oswego and Chicago, and it
was but seldom that l could find an op.
portunity to visit the quiet residence O
Captain Manville-yet Minnie's letters
were frequent, and filled with words O.
never-changing affection, and absence
but endeared her to me.
1t was two years from the time we first
met, and it was again November, though
now the Indian summer. with its haze
and melancholy, was past-the winds
sighed no more, but instead went rushing
by in fearful gusts, while the old trees
shook and trembled, and brushed theil
arms against the windows, with a dul
lonely sound. All without was cherries
but seated before the glowing anthracite
in Captain Manville's cozy parlor, w
needed not the storm or darkness.
II cannot bear to think of your max
ing another trip this season, WILL" sale
Minnie, thoughtfully, as we sat togethe
later in the evening, and her eyes had il
them a sad, troubled expression l haC
never before observed.
"And why not, darling! we have beel
up later in the season than this. and re
turned in safety. This is bad night, t.
be sure, but such weather cannot hole
long" l replied, gayly.
81 know, Will; but l have present.
ment-now don't laugh, and call me
little superstitious simpleton-perhaps i
is foolish to indulge such thoughts, bu
ever siuce you came have dreaded you
departure, for something seems to tell m
that / will never see you again, and
have thought and brooded over it until
appears almost certainty"
"There is no danger, l assure you, lit
tie pet" replied, kissing away pearl
tear that had fallen upon her fair cheek
'Do not trouble that little heart, for al
will be WE'LL
We conversed much longer upon tn
same subject, but it was in vain l strov
to quiet her fears, and in the monin,
when ! bade her adicu, l saw that sh