Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-02-22

tial city. great deal left for Ine yet in
life ~ And as l repeated these words my
blessings seemed to rise up before me and
reproach me. For me, Agur's prayer had
been answered. had neither poverty nor
riches but competence was mine in my
own right, which would secure me above
want. had health and strength, and many
friends. The paths about our little village
we're all familiar to me. l could traverse
them without guide; could feel the free
winds sweep my brow; could inhalc the
sweet breath of the flowers; coul! hear the
beloved voices of home. Verify, God had
not forsaken me. | had been wilfuly shut
ting his mercics out of my heart. | knelt
now, and thanked him for what had been left
prayed him to teach me to bear patiently
the loss of what had been taken.
When the bell rang for supper rose and
went quietly down stairs. They gave no
noisy greeting to the son who had not sat be-
side them there since the spring flowers had
blossomed, though now the summer lay green
and luxuriant upon hill and woodland. But
| understood my fathers welcome--the un-
uttered tenderness which dcepened my moth
er's voce--tbe eager grasp in which my
brother Richard held my hand. found my
plate and my chair in their old place. After
that never secluded myself from them again.
When supper was over went ont to go to
evening prayers at the church. | had not
thought that could ever go there again. |
had dwelt morbidly on the curiosity with
which the congregation would look ut me. |
never thought of that now. God had opened
the eyes of my spirit. went there to thank
Him for the great mercy. had never before
been so thrilled with the church music
Hearing seemed to me like new sense
Through it drank in deep draughts OF pleas,
ure. had sat in the choir, and when prayers
were over entrcated the organist to play for
me again. Soon we became fast friends.
think that my enthuiasm pleased him, for
twilight found us alone in the church, with
only the little boy who blew the bellows
John Cunningham playing, and ! listening
and dreaming.
But soon felt think an intuitive sense
! Of power revealed it to me--that the organist
was no artist. Sometimes | longed to sweep
him off the stool, and interpret with my own
fingers the music that was in my soul. This
idea that cuold be musician dawned upon
me slowly, but day by day the sense of pow
er strengthened #.:..
At length asked him to let me trv.
think he was astonished My soul was food
ed with harmony. Wild, sweet strains came
to me like the whispers Of angels. From that
night was the master and he my pupil
Sometimes would persuade my brother to
go with me to the church, and then, for hour
after hour, the organ would indeed be the
voice of my soul breathed ont in music
all the dreams of my long, dreaming boyhood
before the one stern stroke had come, under
which bowed my head and rose up man.
God was very merciful. With this resource
could never be entirely lonely--wholly des-
! olate Ef ..s.ua
When | was twenty -one, John Cunning
ham had left Ryefield, and had been chosen
organist of our village church. 1t was my
business, for which small salary was paid
but was content.
My brother was in college. He was taking
my place; he would realize my early dreams.
The world called him brilliant young man.
At home there was but little change, save
that Leona's light football less often crossed
our threshold For some years she had been
ut school in Boston. In the vacations she
came home, and then | could tell by her
The next sprng--it was winter now-her
/
came. Oh. how joyfully | welcomed her,
though scarcely knew why her presence
seemed so infinitely precious! We wandered
together into the fields, and she told me how
! fresh and green the grass was springing un-
der loot--how blue and bright was the May
| time sky. could smell the bloom Of the
grant blossoms in our path. She never
! ~ oil VIC fn
She would tell me how the mist was lying
white and purple in the valley--how the far
hazy hills were sleeping in the sunshine; and,
seeing with her eyes, scarcely realized that
IL was blind. sa f&
! But this dream also had an awakening
! NV brother Richard came home. He had
| finished his course at the university with
| high honors, and his advent in Ryefield was
the signal for a series Of parties, and picnics,
and merry -makings, in which | could not
join, and which took Leona from my side.
heard from all quarters the praises of my
handsome, manly brother. He was only
nineteen now; but he was six feet tall and,
they said, looked much older j was not
surprised to hear that his wit and manly
graces were making sad havoc with the hearts
of the village girls. Already over my soul
had begun to steal presentment of sorrow.
think my brother loved me very much
He had always made me his confdant One
night he came to my room, and said. with a
hesitation which seemed very singular in his
fresh, fearless nature, that he had something
to tell me. Then he talked of ndiffer, nj
subjects for while, and at length, suddenly
alas. it seemed TO me pitilessly the blow
fell He loved Leona Ashlani! Oh, Heaven
pity me! God have mercy on mel knew
in that moment that too loved her: blind,
helpless fool that was had made her my
idol had not known before what was the
spell which bound me to her; or, rather, !
had resolutely closed my heart against the
conviction The vail was ruthlessly rent
4 away could rot choose but look at my
own stupid imbecilty. voice in my soul
Knocked me- 1t cried: :. You-you cowardly
idiot !--you thought, did you, to darken her
life by fastening yourself upon her? blind,
helpless shadow: You thought that young
girl could love you---that girl, radiant with
youth and hop and all the glory and bright
ness of life; before whose feet the future
stretches out. green, and fresh, and smiling
You thought you could win her! Selfish
insensate matlp'
4 IL L. .x.s:L.. ...... j 7