The mountain Democrat., 1864-04-02
A NEAR SHAVE.

tons Of rapid motion, and whose function
| heard designated under the character of
"Stoord !"
Through the watches of the night had
heard that cry borne to me under every
conceivable inflexion, even above the fury
of the elements; in key Of agony; key
of low groanng; key Of stern suffering,
betOkening the strong mind disdainiDg to
yield to mortal throes; key Of Shrieking
despair finally key Of low, exhausted
gaspings, more akin to a piteous whine
than to any distinct shape Of articulation.
need not be ashamed to own where suf-
fering was the badge Of so large a tribe,
that mine was the voice in the frightfuh
hold Of the Ostend packet ship that took
this piteouS passive form Of complaint
What was the force of those "'eavy
gales" alluded to by the "Stoord" as his
standard Of comparison, had no means
Of determining. ! did not at the moment
care about having the means of determin
ing anything human.
1 was going abroad, and for a month
previous had informed people that | was
going abroad, and had been congratulated
on going abroad felt a natural elation
at the prospect. rccollcct the ghastIy
reality with which this boastful elation
presented itself to me during that night
Of suffering. Physiologists-or or psychol-
ogists is it?-may account for this odd
phenomenon; but it came back on me ma
ny, many times, always in the society of
the "Stoord." Loathed familiar loath.
ed in every direction, even in the useful
insignia Of his Office Yet this was clearly
but the ravingS Of a disorganzed system.
for in his own obscure line be was to a
certain degree ministcring angel.
The most extraordinary feature Of this
malady was, that during its paroxysms !
Ad not care the least for Grace Barkins.
That tremendous passion which had been
consuming me for months as with a slow
fire suddenly went out. found | did not
care for Grace Barkins; no, no more than
if | were at the bottom OF the sea.
never even thought Of Grace Barkins, and
vet two months before
My father had interfered, interfered
stcrnlv, and with dramatic action. He
had said:
Charles Alfred, this must not go on.
/ This is sheer insanity"
On my demonstrating feebly, he good.
naturedly declined to make me morally
responsible Ior my acts, and said was a
fool. was to put the thing out Of my
head, and try to think of being a man. -
1t was high time to try and think Of being
sensible. was getting old, DC. Thus
encouraged, | withdrew from the inter.
view. A little gentleness, nay, even q
more tiattering tone in these remonstran
ces, would have done much. But as it
was, felt outraged: 1t was presently
propose d that should travel abroad. |
chImed in eagerly with the proposal, sim.
ply because heard that she-may " ith.
out disrespect call her the charmer, or
idol Of my atftction>?--had suddenly gone
abroad. But for obvious reasons | dis
guised my alaclity. At parting, he, the
blind parent mean blnded-put money
into my hand, and bade me try and not o
be fool. A retort rose to my lips; but
felt a something in me-in my hand, |
inean-which enoined me to forbear aud
take all from my parent
say | never once thought of the idol
las may call her for ShorU down in the
awful cabins of the Ostend packet. Bot
with returning consciousness aud when
my tottcring frame was being assisted
ashore by humane mariner, the Image
of the idol began to return. When | was
fairly ashore, or on shore, the image Of
the idol presented itself even under enga
ging conditions. From private inforMa-
ton which had received TO use a happy
phraSe), had learned that the idol was
residing at Belgian town, the name Of
which is not now Of the least consequence.
1t was but a couple Of hours away. |
painted to meet the idol. A few III mcnts
delay to decorate the human figure, and
then | would be ready to meet the Idol.
Suddenly the humane mariner, who, slim
uated by the manner in which his chari
table behavior had been recompensed, had
| taken on himself the duty Cor which |
was inca!able) Of recovering INV luggage,
came q report that All was Lost; | mean,
that he could not discover It. His efforts
were unavallng, and again, assisted by
the humane mariner, | had to return and
try and identify it myself. 1t was but too
true, my little all vas gone-and, under
little all include personal linen, new best
black super6ne walking coat, ditto vest,
ditto superior extra miled dpeskin trow-
sers Qhese are extracts from an account
with which | was favored shortly after),
with other articles of wearing apparel and
becoming personal attire. The little all
had been left behind at Dover. 1t was a
blow, for the articles had been got with an
especial end; that end, am not ashamed
to own. was the dazzling of the IDOL
This, coming on the preceding blow, or
blows. received on the voyage. nearly
prostrated me. This was moral stroke,
the others were more in a physical dircc-
tion; drawing line and adding up both,
made sum the amount of which could
scarcely bear.
1t was a sore discouragement, and |
knew not what to do How was to pre-
sent myself to the idol in my present state
Of disrcpair? for in disrepair was, both
in general tone and physical condition. |
was dilapidated and ruined so to speak,
and yet | could not daily at OStend until
the last tourist arrived. Twas distracted,
for knew that she, the idol-but not a
bit more than many Of her Sisters-leaned
a good deal on the vile trappings of out
ward humanity.
Hearing the whistle of an engine just
departing, leapcd into the train, into the
solitary compartment Of first class car
riage. Something would occur to me in
that retirement.
had every confidence in the idol ; she
was, after all, not made in the common
mould, or, may say, Of the common; she
was generous, noble. could not supply
the want accident had deprived me Of for
do not blush to own my means would
not suffer me to compass fresh outfit
Such reckless outlay was not within the