The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-19
nv wHIsTLING NEIGHBOR.

We had moved into q new house, stu
ated about the centre Of n row Of ten. all
run up together in hurried, mushroom
fashion; and divided from each other by
partitions Of brick SO thin that sound was
only little deadcned In passing through.
For the first three or four nights ] was
unable to sleep, except IN snatchcs, for so
many noises came to my cars, originating,
in my own dOmicile, that anx
icty in regard to burglars was constantly
excited. Both on the first and second
nights ] made a jIOrnry through the Smaft
hours, but found no intruderS upon my
premises. The sounds that disturbed the
came from some Of my ncighbors, who
kept much later vigis than suited my
habits.
There it is again = said !, looking up
from my paper, as ! sat reading on the
second day after | took possession Of my
new home. That fellow is a great nui-
sance.'
What fellow 2 asked my wife, whose
showed surprise at the re-
mark. She was either unconscious or af-
Eected by the circumstance that affected
my sensitive ears.
Didn't you near itT said ].
Hear what Y
That everlasting whistle
'Ohr A smile passed over my Wits
Does il annoy your
y cant say that | am particularly AL
noyed by it yet; but shall be if it's to
20 on 80 constantly. A man whistles for
want Of thought, aud this very fact will
be@'
I'm not so sure Of that, remarked my
wife, interrupting the, the poet, notwitb-
standing. | would say that lie whistles
from exuberant feelings. Our ncighbOr
hns a sunny temper, no doubt; what, ]
ain afraid, can not be said Of our neighbour
on the other side. | have never heard
him whistle; but his Scol,ling abilities are
good and, judging from two days ObSrr.
vatIOn, he iS not likely To permit them to
grow feeble for want Of use.
did not answer, hut went on with my
reading, silcnced If not recOnciled to my
whistling neighbOr.
Business matters annoyed me through
the day, and ! felt moody and depressed
as took my course hOmeward ut night
fall. was not leaving my cares behind
me. Before shutting my account books,
and locking my lire.prOof safe, had made
up o bundle Of troubles 10 carry home
with me, and my shoulders stOopcd be-.
meath the burden.
| did not bring sunlight into my dwell.
ing as crossed, with dull, deliberate
steps, its Threshold. The flying feet that
sprung along the hall, and the Eager voices
that filled suddenly the air, in sweet
tumult Of sound as entered, were quiet
and hushed in little while. | did moi
repel my precious ones, for they were very
dear to my heart, but birds do not sing
Joyous except in the sunshine, and my
presence had cast shallow. The songs
Of my home birds died into fitful chirp
Ings-they sat quiet among the branches
saw this, aud understood the reason.
condemned myself; reasoned against tn,
folly Of bringing worldly cares into th'
home sanctuary; endeavOrcd to rise OU
Of my gloolny state. But neither phil"so
ply MOI 4 Self.compelling effort proved o
any avail.
was sitting, with my hand partly Sha
dug my face from the light, still IN con
llict with myself, when | became conscious
Of \ lifting Of the shadows that wcr'
around me, and Of frerr respiration.
was beginning to question aS To its cause
when my thoughts recognized u. agency
a, hich had h....,1 nnnrniiv.. lLIullRll luf La.
fore externally perceived, in consequence
Of my aOstracted state. My neighGOr VA
whiStling. 'BcgOne dull care"
Now, in my younger days, had whiS
tied and sung the mir and words Of thi
cheerful old song hundreds Of times, am'
every line was familiar to mrIn"ry. ! lis
tened, with pleased interest, for a litll
white, aud then, as my changing stat
gave power To resolution quick born u
better rea>On, said, III my thought, TN
phutically, NJ II reIunndIng an evil spirit
'BegOnr, dull carc!' aud the ticnd left me
Then spoke chceriully, and in IL ton
Of interest to Quir; little May. who ha
walked round me thre1 or four times, won
dering in her heart. nO\ doubt, what he
lier at distance from her papa, and VIII
was now seated by her mother, lcanin
her tlaxen head, ilutted all over with CLOS
sy curls, against her knee. She spranl
ut INV voice, aud was in my lap at bound
What a tmill Of pleasure the tight claS
Of her arms sent To my heart! Oh, tho
art full Of blessing
From that moment ] felt kinder towar
NY Neighbour. He had done TIE good -
had play ed before me as David played b,
lore Saul, exercising the evil spirit Of III,
content There was NO longer repcllan
sphere, and soon all my little omrs wer
close around Inc, and happy US in oIhv
times with their father.
After they were all in bed, and | Si
alone with my wife, the cares that 'inits
the day made new assault IN me, an
vigorously strove to regain their lost ell
piTe in my mind. | felt their approach
and the gradual receding 0t kind thought
with every advancing step they made
In my struggle to maintain that tranquil
ty which so strengthens the soul for wnr
and duty, l arose and walked the foo
My wife looked up to me with inquiry u
her face. Then she let her eyes inl upu
her needle work, and ns glanced tOwar
her at every turn in my walk, | Saw a
expression Of tender concern on her lip
She understood tllat was not at my ca,
in my mind, and the knowledge trouble
her.
How wrong in me- said, in self.r
buke, thus to lot idle brOOding over nel
outside things, which such brooding Gu
in no way affect, trouble the peace
home; and | made new effnrt to ri
again into SUMMER region. But the tieI
had the in iIis clutches again, and cOu
not release myself Now il WAS that II
J David came anew to my relief. Sudden
, his clear tones rang out in the air, 'Awi
with Melancholy
cannot tell which worked the inSta
revulsiOn Of feeling that camc-thc chez
: ful air or words Of the song which We
called to remembrance by the air, or 4
associations Of bygone years that were l
vived. But the spell was potent and col
plete. was myself again.
. During the evening the voice Of Iny W
broke out several times intU SnatchrS
u o.,sao .,r L..