Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-25
CHAPTER VIII.
A SAD PICTURE.
Through all eternity to Thee
A joyful song I'll raise,
For oh eternity's too short
To utter all thy Praise.

me spectator.
After this adventure in the cave I re-
NAMED two weeks g. Grenoble. During
that time I was constantly with Violet. [
loved her beyond all bounds. We would
walk over to see poor Mrs. Robin every
day, and take little things for her daily
comfort. Dick Robin was heart and soul
devoted to Violet. But Violet was cota-
planning of her head. One day she would
like it, whistling her strains of love to
God. Another, she would be sick of head
ache. I was worried. De Kimberly and
Mary fretted. What aileth their child !?
was called away on business to Whining
ton, Orth Carolina. [ grieved to leave,
but it was matter of necessity. In the
multiplicity Of affairs IN this city, I had
forgotten all but Violet and her sunny face;
her pure, bright mother and idolizing
father. The JOY and peace that dwe!t at
Grenoble, and on the plantation was the
sweetest recreation to my mind.
Letters reached me from time to time.
Violet WGs getting no better One
informed NE she was getting aCOrSe. My
business would come to an end about the
tenth of December. I would then go and
spend Christmas with my little pet, I
would refresh my bodily and mental pow
C1o Will CuS 1cldASu DIT ChC
old homestead on the plantation. The
happy slaves would greet me, and I would
have the Christmas gift for them all. The
morning Of the ninth Of December l re-
ceived the following missive:
PLANTATION MANSION, !
g. Dec. 9th, 18-.(
Dear Brother: Violet is alafmlngly worse
DR.. VanCrten Gays it is hopeless the is
insane. She runs about buttlng her head against
a wa no va Tn ha
her. The poor thing screams in the grea est
agony, and cries out, 0 my head! = my head!
She is confined to her room, which We have had
thlckly lined with pillows, to prevent her from
striking her head against the walls. Her sight is
entirely gone. She can hardly hear. You would
not know her. Every day she grows worse She
wants you. She cries for you. Do CON imme-
diately. We sre in need of your presence. Mary
is almost crazy. Yours affectionately,
''DE KIMBERLY."
I finished my business and left Will
mington on the next train. / was shortly
in the chamber of poor Violet. She was
in the intensest pain. I cried like a child.
Was [ to lose my pet lamb
80, VanOrten, can't you do some
thing ?"
SO Nothing-every physician in the State
has been consulted. They all give her up.
hopelessly up. She cannot live many days.
We all agreed on one thing, and that is this:
any practitioner.
We were hoping against hope. Violet
would not permit Dick Robin to leave her
bedside.
Have you seen Kinglake since the
night in the cave p
Eyes He has so changed you wouldn't
know him. Now and then he breaks out
into one of those fits, and would fly from
his home. He has been curious body. l
knew him from childhood. He loved Ma
dame de Kimberly, but she never could
bear him. He's looked upon as NEGRO
by all who DO not know him. He
is not very sane at times. He's at heart
good man. He'll injure no one. His wild
freaks make him the object of ridicule."
He loves Madame de Kimberly yet p
CT knew it. He loves Violet to mad
ness. He has visions, and tells me he sees
her dead. He says a spider and rose is at
the bottom of it all. He wants to come
knowing the dislike Madame de Kimberly
has for him."
"He's queer fellow p
Indeed he is"
Poor Violet I could hardly look upon
her. She recognized me and held my
hand tightly. De Kimberly and Mary
were bowed in inconsolable grief.
Next day 1 met VanOrten.
"Kinglake has come" he said.
"He would come. I tried to prevent
him. He will see Violet. He's very self |
Madam must be kept in her
room. De Kimberly will sooth her there, |
and guard her for few moments"
The long gaunt figure of Kinglake ap-
peared. I took his proffered hand and led
him to the sad room. Dick Robin was
sitting by Violet, poor blind Violet She
was easier. Now and then half stifed !
groan escaped her, and her little white
hands would be Immediately thrown to
compress her forehead. Poor Violet i
My lovely flower I could not look on
without the briney tears of sorrow cloud |
ing nv vision. Kinglake was the very |
picture of grief. He knelt down near the
foot-stool of Violet Violet's hearing was
almost gone She held Dick Robins hand.
She was not deceived like Jacob. She
knew it was the brawny hand of her poor
Dick Robin. KinglaKe's eyes were kin
died with more than their usual brilliancy. |
MY rose of Sharon
MY lily Of the valley
have found thee,
have found thee,
love, o, I love, |
love thee.
My God, o my God,
Heres an anger,
Here's an angel
To Thy bosom,
To Thy bosom,
o she's ready,
0 she's ready,
o she's ready
To fly.
Thy throne is aglow
With Thy mercy,
With Thy mercy,
My Cod Ny Godl
o she's re ady
To fly.
The pathos of Kinglake sank to the
depths of our hearts. Dick Robin sobbed
aloud. My tears trickled in stream down
my cheeks. The delivery, the gesture,
The fire and the JOY and grief blended in
the outburst of Kinglake, transported us
As along the gentle zephyrs of heaven.
looked around. There stood Madame de
and her husband They are
The touching eanticle of King.
AXE had reached them. They descended.
had no time FOR thought.
My soul is enravish'd,
see the bright vision,
Of angels, OF cherubs,
Descending to thee.
Violet, o Violet, H. --E- s-
My Violet RI -5----ss .r- .--....'-.r