The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-08-17
From the Ladies Pearl.lt
THE S SQUIR z.
BY BUIDE.

BY BUIDE.
/ NY communications for the Pearl have
all of them, contained so much of the say
/ ings Of this good and noble old man, and
venerable Christian, that l have concluded
/ to give my readers something of his history,
! by the consent of the editor of the Pearl.
! AS may. be readily observed, the Squire
and are a great deal together Our friend
/ ship is not Of that character usual between
men Of the same age but Is, on his part,
/ judging by his manner, of that tender type
sometimes seen, when an old man left alone
| in the world without near relative seeks
and finds youth, or a young man, on whom
he may bestow affections meIl0wed by time
and Affections. Mine, for him, are feelings
of mingled nature-the most prominent be-
ing, veneration for his hoary hairs, and re-
spect and love for his superior wisdom, and
his genuine Christian disposition We have
been companions for many years, l may
venture to hope, not altogether improbable
ones to me- l may truely say, that in the
contemplation of his character, and in the
communion of spirit, which l have enjoyed
with him | have learned best the lessons of
hope, patience, charity, fortitude, and peTse-
verance. Therefore it is that | esteem this
acquaintance, matured by time into affec
tionate fellowship, one among the many bless
ings of Providence, not least to be cherished.
1t was not until quite recently that ven
tured to inquire much into the history of his
past life, except upon a very few points
Some things I very much wanted to know;
but when the question had struggled up for
utterance, [ sbrank from asking, | scarcely
knew why. For instance, I was a long time
anxious to know if he had ever been mar
ried yet dared not ask him. We had often
talked of this, as we had Of other themes,
and / could only observe an increased ten
derness Of tone, his voice dropping to almost
a whisper, as when one talks of love to those
for whom deep tenderness is felt / drew
from this circumstance the conclusion that
he had, perhaps, in early life loved, and that
the object of his affection dying he had de-
voted himself to her memory; had ever
cherished her bright image in his heart, and
had turned away from all future entangle-
ments in the tender passion, that he might
preserve. pure and undivided, those feelings
called into life by her.
One day / was called to c., to celebrate
the rights of matrimony between a young
couple, one of whom-the lady, Miss Jen-
ME Mc.-Was a very dear friend and | asked
the Squire to 90 with me- l knew that he
would be welcome guest l knew Jennie
dearly loved the kind old man, who loved
her with deep tenderness-Often when with
her laying his hand-broad and brown hand
upon her head, and with uplifted eyes, In
words full of tenderest feeling, invoking the
blessing Of Heaven upon her. His affection
was never Obtrusive, never tiresome. He al
ways seemed to know how to approach the
young, and in what words to address them,
so that they never grew weary of him, nor
wished him a way. Though the gay lost in
his presence their giddiness, and folly shrunk
away from his sight, yet there was no want
of cheerfulness, no lack of mirthful feeling.
Hence, as l have said, 1 knew he would be
a welcome guest at Jennie Nc 8 wedding.
He readily agreed to 90 with me; and Went
beguiGng time with many word of rlpest
wisdom.
Just before reaching the house, I said,
esquire, it may be unusual, but wish you
to assist me in the ceremony to-day If l
call upon you, will you pronounce the bene-
dictiOn2 You are the particular friend Of
Jennie"
After a moments consideration, he replied
that he would, on one condition, which was,
that he must be allowed his own way. To
this / agreed
On reaching the house, we found the Par-
ties ready, and Immediately proceeded with
the marriage ceremony. At its conclusion,
l withdrew a step, and the Squire advancing,
and groom, and in language Of the most
touching simplicity implored the divine bless
ing upon " these two, who have just now,
before the eyes of witnesses, confessed their
| love for each other. Our Father" said he,
4" they are moved by affection to link their
/ destinies they are filled with hope. thereby,
of happiness in this world they have cast
away every doubt, and now fully trust each
/ other for that happiness. May they e0er SO
! love and trust, and so may they realize in
full fruition the food hopes of this, their
nuptial hour"
He was, throughout, ferveut and fearful,
especially asking that Heaven might grant
them long life together The wedding over,
the fearful farewells said, we returned home
But the Squire said not one word of Mr.. and
Mrs A.
Years passed away, and on one bright
September evening, just as the setting sur
was bathing the western sky IN h3od o
glory, my wife and I were sitting on the
steps Of our back porch watching the play
of our two little girls, when the Squire, whC
had been absent a day or two, came up.
saw he wore a look of deepest sadness 4; anC
my wife, who felt for him kind of holy
veneratiOn, and who, wOman-like, was watch
ful Of every expression of his countenance
hastened, in her gentle. winning way t.
draw from him the cause Of his sad and sOr
rOwful looks. Said he in reply to her eager
yet trembling questioning, Jennie Nc. /
dead And then we wept together, know
ing that each Of US had lost a dear, very dea
friend
Said the Squire at length, Z" I do not wee
that l shall not see her more on earth. He
/ bright, young head, with It's golden tresses
now wears the crown Of life, and for he
there is no more sorrow, for she has gone
that land of purity, whence sorrow and sigh
ing have fed away for ever; but weep fo
, him, the poor husband, from whose hom
, the light of a loving wife's smile Is fed fo
him over whose home there standeth elOu
thick with woe I sympathize with hii
more than l can express, knowing the terr
: BILE madness of such grief as he must eI
dure. At morning, noon, and at night, th
weary hearted husband viii be continual
= reminded Of his irreparable loss. To be a
! sured that she is with the angels; that Ii
charm Of her virtues is sanctihed and helgh
ened in a heavenly home, never to pai
away, never to be clOuded by trial, dimme