The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-10
AFaded leaf from the Fair River.


scenes through which have passed the four quarters
of the globe | recognise with greatful heart and
tremuous lips the great mercy which endureth for
ever, which has guided my wandering steps and pre-
served me from harm, even IN my erring ways; and,
while this companion of my youth and that elder friend
Of boyhood have been swept away down the current
of life have been spared to return again to the 'far
river" and standing more its loved banks to
collect few of the "aded leaves which like myself
are tnged by autumnal fronts.
In this space of time have only had twice the salts
faction of visiting my native village. 1t is one of the
earliest settlements of what once the F'lar west
and il has little increased in proportions within the
period mentioned Surrounded by dear old hills blessed
with fine soil, and industrious and thrifty population
it is one of the most ourishing and happy valleys of
Ohio.
On the occasion of my FIRST visit TO my boyhood's
home an incident occurred which may now relate as
one of the "faded leaves slowed away in the strong
holds of my memory. Should the persons alluded to in
them perise these lines they will not am conf
dent be dispeased al my pointing moral by the
tive of event which has had so beneficial result so
happy termination
On landing from a steamer at Cleveland and seeking
the means of continuing my way southward-in those
days railroads did not run through all parts of the State
as at present. young woman, dressed in black and
bearing very young chlI her arms inquired of me
tue quickest and cheapest to the same place to
which was proceeding. She had heard me ask for a
ticket to that place and with hesitatng made
the inquiry. Her youth-she not more than eigl-
teen-the palor of her counenauce evident unhappi-
ness and mental suffering, and personal beauty elected
my attention and sympathy. Her infant very young,
would not venture to fix his age; and lay wrapped
up in the mothers shawl halfwaking, hafseepng its
sweet little mild blue eyes Immediately excited my
great sensitveness. would add that the woman may
call her the lady tall and slender and possessed
personal charms well calculated speak in her favor
To her question replied - am going there, madam,
and will be happy to be of any service to you in my
power. Have you taken ticket and attended to your
baggage
After moments hesitation her countenance showing
evident confusion, she replied 81 have no baggage
sir and have not, fear sufficient money to pay for
the passage Of myself and child Here is my little ALL
pray do not leave me here among strangers and ii you
will add whatever is deficient in my means will restore
it to you when arrive among my friends. Onutterng
the last word ''friends she repeated it and added
/ Alas if indeed now have any"
During my protracted travels have not unfrequeny
been exposed to imposons the part Of both and
women which, must admit, have inspired with "A
small portion Of ncredulity ard suspicion for the tales
OF wee and misfortune suddenly told without pre-
face, previous knowledge of the party. On the
other hand, have strong impulse which leads to
offer any succor or alienation in my power to the
happy wretched if they seem So without seeking to
know the course of the misery before me. Actuated
by this feeling, begged her to take seat while en-
gagged her ticket On my return | sat down beside her
little money. She took them from my hand mechan-
cay, and pressed them in her own without uttering
word She turned her face from me to the window
for some minutes, during which the carriage moved on
and 1t easy to perceive that her feelings prevented
her from speaking, and that her eyes were filed with
advanced casual remarks upon the scenery the road
which withdrew her attention from herself, and some
what camcd her distress. However now and then the
prevailing feeling would come uppermOSt in her mind
she sighed heavily, would press her sleeping infant to
her breast, and then turn away her face from me-
/ Though unwilling from principle to ntrude, either
my consultations upon her grief to seek to know its
history, finally yentured to inquire whether she
native Of, and Fho were her relations and friends
there; adding that asked more in the view and hone OF
rendering her still further service than from simple curl
osty. Gradually she gained confidence and to my very
great surprise gave Fer name Ellen C, the daughter
of one of the oldesG friends of my parents, and warn
patrons of my youh Her brothers had been my
companions and sch@ol-mates; their home had been my
home and my homq theirs had followed two of then
nmy boyhood to hogr untney graves and the memory
of them is still fresh; land deeply impressed in my heart
and memory One2the eldest, had been married and
gone to the farther Sest, and one only remained with
the father Even nty after the lapse of so many years
cannot recall the ture of the two who died in their
youth without emo of the saddest nature. In latel
years, after my dcp&.ure from my native village had
heard that the moI'ar had borne more child, a
daughter Of whom knew nothing, and died in giving
DII 10 llCt infant loss OF S IllHtc laQ Almost let
til father, advaed in years in a of distrac
ton bordering insanity and it only by the re-
peaed exertiOns of his neighbOrs and friends console
him, and by reminding him that the existence of his
infant daughter required his love and care that he re
gained tranquility.
Ellen c. on to tell me- without knowing that
had the slightest knowledge Of her family and home
that about year ago young from Montreal Wis
tied her village, and through her brother became init
mate at her fathers house. She did not mention hi.
name. He more happy and attractive than a;
seen in the sequel he honorable and vrtuous Ht
engaged she loved him with all the strength
and teryer of love Her mind frank and sim
pie and she thought OF no guile or wrong The Young
mans business soon called him back to Montreal Vel
known that her aged father would not permit her tc
leave him, for he dotted on her, and that it would be
hopeless to expect to be united in the village even clan
destney, she lent to the Canadians promise con
yey her to his home there marry her this effected
to induce his parents to allow him to return to he1
village and establish himself in business. She detailed
to the struggle which this plan created in her mind
Brought up without the OF a mother, almost in ex
clusion and ignorance of the world and the wes of ev
designing She consented to eIope with him. fully
expecting to return in few weeks She left letter
her table where it would be by her father as soon
as he arose IN the morning, explaining the plan which
she had accepted assuring him of her early with
her intended husband and asked the forgiveness for the
step and his blessing As is usual she kissed her unsus
lover met him on the waysde, where he waited for her
with carriage.
In few days they reached Montreal and she was
taken not to her lovers own home but in al
abscure part ofthe city. Various excuses Offered
for this by him, which to her simple and unsus
pecng mind at FIRST satisfactory, but which soor
failed to convince her of his proby and honesty She
was however no longer in position to act with indie
pendence; and had either of writing to hei
father brothers Of making her situation known
those who might possibly have protected her Sue ascer
tanned from old woman to whom the house in whcl
they resided belonged that her lovers parents were
catholics and that She need not indulge in the hope thai
they would allow him to marry her. As the period ap
preached for her to become mother he began to neg
ect her to treat her even with unindness and wher
she ventured for She first time to expostuate with him
for and for his deception he told her that he wished
she was back in her fathers house Whether not her
father brother had taken any step toward ascertain
ing her fate, she had no means Of learning Her Sc
ducers harshness finally grieved away her love, it be
came insupportabe, praeticed probably in the view o
getting rid of his victim and after severe mental rug
gle she determined as soon as the age of her child per
mitted it. seek her way back to her fathers house.
''What ! suffered" said She 'no can imagine
Contrtion, shame remorse and despair filed with
the most narrowing reflections. Ignorant of my
fathers continuance in life and knowing well the misery
to which my false SteD and deserton must have reduced