Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-14
A MANLY DARLING.

A dozen or more times during the heat
of politics, we have been asked by letter
to define the word Darling for some of
our valued lady correspondents both
North and South. For the past six
months the labor of politics has left us
no chance to run our pen lightly or dip
its point into the home hearts of those
who live for affection But now the con.
test for this season is over for brief
time, and we set by the desk to chat a
little more as of old before the hundreds
of political letters come flooding in upon
US.
What is Darling? sa'lNo
We step out of mans heart and go
into that of a loved woman for the time,
and here is what the spirit says-write.
Ny Darling Yes, l have a Darling
not Pet--for men are not Pets, though
in forgetful moods we oft call them so.
At times the fullness of love in our
hearts--the earnestness Of love leaps out
with Pet-but the indrawn sigh which
draws him | love so close to my soul
fingers on Darlingl Yes | have Oar
ling. He is all the world to me. He is
dearer than life. | love him. He is
mine He is man. He has, oh
such stout heart And such earnest
eyes. And he is so kind-so gentle, so
earnest with me. He loues me He is
my Darlingl He may at times speak
cross to others, but never to me. He
may at times strike others, but he would
sooner die than strike me. He battles
with the world. He fights bravely with
its trials, vicissitudes, temptations and
hypocricies--h labors day after day all
for mel When he leaves me it is with
kiss. / feel his lips--I see deep into his
eyes-I feel his firm, manly, gentle
touch-I rest in his heart like ship at
calm, all the hours he is from me, for he
is my Darling His eye is clear-his
voice that of love- his touch is con.
stancy--he is mine and God knows |
love him as q Darling should be loved.
Hark ,......t. lo g.sdtso.
Ali that ia he know his step.
Firm, quick, manly, ringing and looked
for. His hand is on the gate-he springs
up the steps or hastens across the porch
-Ae touches the door-it opensLbe still
little futtering heart-his arms fold me
TO his heart-his lips-his eyes-himself
all mine !; my parlingl Don't you
know him? lido Would know his STEP
his touch, his voice, his presence from
all the millions of God, for he is MT Oar
ling. He brings me books, papers, pic
lures, keepsakes; he fills my lap with
gifts and my soul so full of Joy, not for
his gifts, but for his remembrances OF
me. and because he is my Darling.
Do you see this housed This home
This air of comfort? The carpets, the
pictures, the furniture, this home-all
mine as is my Darling, for he gave all to
me- And do you know how safe | feel
when he is by Z And how tremble and
tremble when be is away, for there are
more dangers in the air than there should
be. / do not fear for myself, but for my
Darling No, / DON'T He is good
He is brave. He is manly. He loves
me. He is true and constant He loves
me-he will soon be with me-lie still,
huttering heart, my Darling will soon be
here 500 t--'
The years creep over US. The storms
fall about The winds pipe shrill. The
Match fades and thins, but the heart OF
my Darling, and his Darling are warm
aud loving You cannot win him from me.
Others cannot win him from me. Time
cannot cin him from me-my Darling
What care / for the smiles or frowns
of others2 His arms-his eyes-his
lips-his kisses-hfs bedrtl Wealth
is nothing-poverty is.nothing- Oar
ling is slI. i love him in health when
the blood courses hot and swift through
his veins-I love him when the fever or
delirium parches his cheeks, thickens bis
sweet. unstained breath or throws his
brain In whirl, for he is my Darling
here .s he will be hereafter
''''' ~ = 6Tr BRICK PoMERoY.