The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-02-27
Written for Me Ncws. !
A Midnight Revery.
DY J.UL

'Ts midnight! Listen! tho clock strikes
twelve. Think how varied are tho vibra.
tons of tho human heart, as tho sound falls
upon the ear. Now it ended, and nll we
hearts the hollow echo. Itisthc only connect
ing link which binds yesterday with to NOR
row! but whore is The prescuL? VIC aro only
answered by The echo "whcrc;" for too slow
TO come, and too fccting 10 stay it vani sh-
cs ere we can rcaol out " hand TO graap it.
Let us for q moment fakc advantage Of tho
mysterious power with which We feel our
selves endowed, by taking passing glance
into the hearts Of some, and passing look
at others who may DC within hearing Of tho
sound as the clock strtkcs the hour Of twelve.
First, look at the happy and contcntcd man;
no unrnly passions disturb tho calu and
quiet bcatings Of his peaceful heart For,
wcaried a(tor the days toll, aud having ap-
peased his hunger with the food hc has
honestly carnc., breatlled prayer for his
darling wife and children, lie is how cni.y-
ing that tranquil rcpoac which will 81 him
for tho labors Of tho coming day. Next
look at The thief as he steals quietly along
in tho darkest shadows, croIching MS hc
hears tho sound of the cock, for fear Of be-
ing detected in some way.
But what glimmer;ng taper is that? OH
now, rs we approach, we can soc palc and
attcnuated female form bonding over tho
work she holds in her J,aul, 80 rs to catch
The tlickcring rays ere the light sinks iuto
tho socket. Hear Eer ~ she cxclams,
"twelve o'cloox and I've not ctfinished." !"
See! She is going to rcplcnish hcr light, for
she must finish, or cruel Want would de-
priyc her Of sustenance for The morrow
10 lot her know that she is not Tho only ono
awake, we will just whisper softly az We
lcaye, ego on patient. pale ono, stitch away
and murmur not, for your pathway to IIoa.
ven ls laid out over the bare and rugged
rocks Of Patience and Endurance, and il
may console thee to know that much Of thy
journey is already overcome"
Then look at tho murderer as no paoos
to and fro, with his eyes staring and start.
ing attic frightful shadows only Of his
own Imagination. 10 hears tho sound and
ravcnous holl-fcnds arc gnawing aC his vi
ta9T IS
Stoplight]y now, for tho sligbtest tread
may arouscthe heavy slumhor of ono who
wcaried with tossing and raying from The
dclirium Of fovor, has at length found re-
pose, II notin death, at loast In It's .simiii-
tude, sleep. Hist he moves, we did not
awaken him? No, 'twas rs the clock
struck, IL marks tho crisis of his disease;
happy changc! for his malady has succumb-
cd to tho polcut drugs prescribed for him
by the mighty man Of soienco
SEQ next tho humble penitcnt kneoling at
tho foot Of the GROSS imploring mercy and
forgiveness for himself and oil mankind.
The sound startles linn, not as il strikes his
car, although condemned by his fellow maj,
ever 10 hear II within his prison walls whcrc
thoy have placed him to repent crime nc
/, never committed in another cell is q pris.
oncr sentenced to death, how mournfully
docs 1t strike his ear, lle feels IL will be tho
last limo he shall ever hear that clock, for
In q few hours tho hangman's knot will on
circlo his neck, and ihen-hc will stand in
tho proscnoo of his Maker:
Tho next object that arrests our atten.
lion In passing, 10 one upon which wo could
gase forever. 'Tis sweet babc, gently ro-
posing in aIl its lovely innocehce. "Liulc
one, what knowost thou of life and ita
aeares! Thou canst not comprehend that
s$Bound, 80 VIC will not oven wish To peop into
the mysteries Of thy tiny heart, for fear
that even shadow Of care may ba 70.
accted from our gasc; so slecp on
Dat look yonder is o eight at Witch we