The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-05-12
anynterestmg storg.
From Hsrper's Monthly.
OVER THE MEADOW.


There are some days one never forgets.
doub, IL I ever forget those days, so long
ago. but still so fresh as il they broke but
yesterday-those days spent with Donald
gathering the crimson jets OF sanphire
Oh, but they were days of grace. and though
I've logged through many calmer ones, there's
been none like them-nonc.
Since had just come FROM believing in
fairy folks haunting the green dimples OF the
hill, rowing all day down the meadow stream
in wherries carved from bubbles by the wan.
dering Din. the wind. must needs believe
in something. and so | believed in him
Alas, and that passed by rs well
have only to open my window on still
autumn morning with just breath of the
river, and once more am Christine Miller
and twenty, and the samphire is ripening over
yonder, and Donald is the gay, handsome
heart again, 1.-THE and lovely; but soon this
glamour passes too, and know well that
Donald's dead these ten years, and that am
only the Widow Brown with sixty years
as,ern.
IL was just across the river we always went
when nv mother had said "Christine, where
is your samphire for picking, now your pre-
serves be all made and your cowcumbers
done?'
So Donald would out with his boat. and
Susan and Ned Brown and with our bask
cts. and away we would spin over the water
in tho sunshine, making merry.
had two lovers in those days, Ned Brown
and Donald; but Donald he was born to be a
lover, while Ned was an awkward, staring
boy; always with his hands in his breeches
pockets when they weren't handling u ships
rope. for he followed the SO, between whiles.
1t was Donald who helped me ashore, but
twas Ned who staid behind to anchor the
little craft; il lost my footing in the bog
gy spots il was Donald who came to my help
with lightsone solicitude, but all the time
Ned's eyes never let, me, and | knew that
but for bis clod.hopper ways he would res
che me first from u den Of lions IL need were.
For all that Donald was my earliest and lat
est thought. "what viii Donald think ?
vii, Donald 60? VIII Donald GOMEZ
That was the catechism learned alike Sun.
day and weekday; and sooth to say, hardly
knew Ned lived ut all save when | saw him
before me!
All, well.a-day. there's scarce a night,
believe. but in my dream I'm picking INV
way over the samphire-6eld behind Donald,
and see his loot slip and catch its balance
again "a he turns and holds out his hand to
me. and always on his handsome face smile
hoyers: and anon trip. and before ho can
roach me I'm broad awake. sitting up in he'd
with star winking at me through the chink
Of the shutter. That's why I 20 to bed so
early. for I'm sure to dream of Donald, and
the samphirc, and the days when we were
keeping company! r
One day-I remember il well-the heav-
ems were like the streets Of the new Jerusa-
lem. all paven gold and sapphire-s,oue, and
the crisp air guarded smell Of pine woods
and falling leaves, and the river ran spark
lin: away to the sea, like a string of bright
beads that slipped the knot. But Donald,
though he handled the oar briskly, and the
boat sped like fash from reach to reach Of
tho curveting tide. was tride down at the
mouth as he looked hack at the shore yellow.
ing and crimsoning in its autumn sunshine,
and out upon the bar, where the unallayed
waves tossed up. as by some wizard spell.
huge columns and archways, that flushed
and silvered and disappeared, like some spec.
tral gateway, into the broad ocean beyond ;
and then. glanciug back at me. | discerned u
shadow fall darky across bis face as he said /:
"You will bs coming here often when I'rn
away"
"Neyer without thinking Of you, Donald, "
l answered and even though whispered ii
I noted Ned tore his eyes from OF me, and
sent them gazing out at sca. Surely there's
no ears nor eyes like true loves!
"Shall you be gone for lOng!" asked Su.
san.
"For months: maybe years."
NJ q. 49,. e.. 49,. A. IooL .hha.t huk