Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1863-03-31
An Old Mans Musings.

Mr.. Ames was hard master to hi.
bound boy. The tones of his voice when
he spoke to me were always harsh, and the
frown never left his brow. Some time:
when my heart was aching for my dead
parents and the pleasant home l loved 50
well, he would taunt me for my sadness,
md then fog me cruelty, to break my
spirit and cure me of my whining ways.
In the house, it was but little better.
Mrs Ames was cold and tyrannical, and
having no children of her own, was very
unforgiving when she saw any youthful
indiscretions on or part. l say our part,
for I was not alone in that dreary home.
Bessie, Mrs. Ames' bound girl, shared my
meals of cold mush, washed down with
rye coffee, with now and then little fish
or meat, and, if | might judge from her
swollen eyes and flushed checks, | think
she shared in the discipline with which |
was so often favored. Yet no one could
look at Bessie and not say she deserved 4
better fate True, she could not have
been called prctty-still there was.a look
of purity and sweetness in her blue eyes,
and quiet grace about her that won your
love and respect Hard as her life must
have been. | have never heard her COM
plain; instead of that, she was always
cheering me. and talking of the time when
| would be free, and with my trade work
out for myself name among men. Al
though three years younger she wa drawer
t. endure and stronger to bear life's trials
than 1. Do you wonder that l loved her
with all the strength Of my pent up
nature Yet l never told her so; it
seemed useless to repeat in words what
my eyes had said so often. She is the
band Of sunlight that binds those four
dark years together and makes their men,
ory very dear to me. / had reached my
eighteenth year, and was looking forward
with hope to the day now only three years
distant, when l would be free-when
great change came.
Ono day Mr. Ames was more unreason-
able thar usual, and on my failing to COM
prehend at the moment a command he
gave mo, he threw at me a chisel which
he held in his hand. 1t glanced by my
head and fastened itself to the handle in
the wall behind me. In moment all
The fire in my proud nature was kindlcd
tn blaze. l forgot he was my master
forgot Bessie; forgot everything but
the wild feelings that surged within me,
prompting me to defend myself turned
quickly, and with one blow sent him
reeling against one Of the benches that
stood at the side Of the room. l knew
there was DO time to be lost, so, hastily
putting on my coat, ] passed out Of the
back door of the shop, took my way
across the fields, leaped the brook and
plunged into the woods beyond. Not
till then did l pause to think what had
done. BY this one act had lost my
place, with my trade but poorly learned ;
separated myself from Bessie, the only one
in the world who loved me; and made
myself wanderer without home or friends
Yet as thought, my heart took courage,
and resolved to 60 to distant town and
there ask for work. Night came on, and
when all had grown quiet at my masters
drew near the house, for knew Bessie
would be in waiting for me. She met
me in the garden, and there in the moon
light We talked of the future. But o.
how dark it looked in spite of the gliding
our young hearts tried to throw over it
Bessie was sure l would succeed sh,
said there was manliness about ME tha
would command respect. and win for INT
true friends. Her childlike faith strength
encl me, and as left her for my night
'"nrnsy whispered Il will come for YOU
in three years, Bc.sIe y aud in my hear
- Lii