The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-03-27
Mistellaneous.
THE NIUE BBON.


1 " "ulC "o'
: studied or played rr,Innt hc had worked
yet ] venture the assertion that OF ten col
iege bred young men of his native country
nearest his own agc. not one could have
: been found better educated, in a certain
true and practical sense than he. In the
absence OF textbooks he had thought for
himself The calculus might be beyond
his comprehension, hut he had learned long
ago the ratio Of honesty to success, and
knew how to deduce from il the inrmula oi
upright living. lie could not read line
Of Homer or Virgil, but he did know some.
thing Of the great works of those great
English thinkers, who have lain nearest the
worlds heart. thus catching and perpetua-
ting its lhrobbings, and incorporating upon
their own page the best OF all past AMI
present inspirations A boy who kept q
leaf Of Shakespeare folded in his vest pocket
to be taken out and learned by heart, Us he
followed the plough, would not be likely to
grow up with tastes wholly uncultiyated.
Yet John Eyardale loved his work. II
all pathways had opened to him alike,
doubt if he would have chosen TO bc any.
thing else than the farmer he was. His as
piraiions though not grovelling in the soil,
still arose from IL, grouping themselves
about home and friends, untarnished name
and sturdy services wherever needed
most.
lie found himself at tweuty-onc in pos
session Of his pairimony. small farm
heavily morgnged. together with title to
la tract OF wild western land, This last, the
spcciOtis representation Of an agent had IN.
duccd his father, always over sanguinc, to
purchase, only to find il quite useless there
after, for any immediate adventure.
John saw years OF harl work and close
economy stretching ahead before he could
hope to stand with unencumhered hold
upon his ancestral acres. No golden pros.
pect. certainly but with his brave, hopeful
heart and rugged health, he saw il un.
| fllnching. Besides, he loved Helen Darrell.
from the time when he had gone, II boy,
To Darrell Hall, on his fathers crrand's, and
the beautiful child, with her marvellous
brown eyes and golden glory Of curls,
had flown out to learn OF him how to tame
the wild ponies her father bought for her,
until now, when her more mature lowell
ness was the pride not alone Of Squire
Darrclrs heart hut Of all Shclbyyille, hc
i 0buNt NbN WutH ltN tofN
hal not seemed n part of his very breath
and being.
The fact was iiselfa key to his clnmc.
ter. u hc had been less than he was he
could never have dared tn love. Not that
he hal any puil;,l mp certainry OF SUCCESS.
but the manhood within him, humble. and
srli.rrspectfill, claimed for him the right tn
io,. the woman who cinboiied his noblcst
idea ut womanhood, AMI Ia be judged by
her irrespective OF any un,oward indifcr-
ence of outward circumstances.
lie hoped for no pledge as yel-would
not II he could have exacted such. His
native sense oi the fitness of things forbade
Il. until his own hand. under kind Provi-
lencc, should have carved out for himself
n inorc certain fortune. II might be long
labor. hut the years Of waiting, like Jacobs :
would seem n 40 many DAYS." IL only hc
were sure of Jacobs reward.
j Meanwhile he woocd her at a distance,
AMI had the satisfaction or knowing that
nj least she was not wholly indifferent to
him. How much her manner mcart. he
did not dare To guess she was so kind 10
all. Forgive him IL he watched all other
admirers, iealo,lsly; he was hut human, and
the daily lear went with him. "Will IL not
be too late when my turn comes to speak: y
All Shclbyville was shocked one morn
ing to hear that good DR.. Maitison had
been found quietly sleeping his last sleep in
his bed. Every family felt keen sense of
personal loss in the death Of the old physi-
cian, whose CHEEKY presence and gcnial
sympathy had always brought healing in
iluence into their sick rooms quite indie.
pendent of his careful prescriptions. who
had presided at the birth OF their children,
aud whose tender hands closed the eyes OF
some of their loved ones where human care
AMI skill could avail no longer.
The people, who came in great numbers
tn DIR. Mattison's funeral. saw in the place
oi chief mourner, his nephew, DR.. Alfred
L,shly, who, ii was understood. would
now leave his position ~ city hospital. in
order To succeed to his uncle : business and
estate. The good old doctor had been
wont to speak proudly of this nephew, as
Young man of uncommon talent aud thor
ough education; indeed IL hal hecn his
cherished plan to sse his practice establish.
ell in these younger and stronger hands
while hc himself yet lived.
DR. Lashley found hearty welcome to
Shelbyville, tor his unclo's sake as well rs
for his own. a. time passed. one and All
other of the friends OF DR.. Ma,,ison called
tn grasI, the young mans hand and speak
words OF hearty sympathy AMI encourage
Inent.
"Comc up to the Hall whenever you
have time anl irclination; the latch string
hangs outside, said Squire Darrell. with u
blunt corlislity. to which DIR. Lashley was
not slow 10 respond.
Calling soon nj Darrell Hall, he met
Helen for the first time in some years. lie
wus quite unprrI,rr,l io find her what she
was,-the most brauri;iIl woman he hal
ever mct-hc settled that nj gancc-cul
iiyaicd and refined. evidently, and Yet with
n fresh spontaneous manner. ~ charinin: as
rure. How could sc have kept this child
ish simplicity hr wondered, through all
4 the ilattrry anl carcs.cs which must have
been lavishcd upon her. The truth was
that Helen Darrell had been praised too
much tn bc spoiled hy II. There may I've
an exirrnr at alull,on which shall hold
in it.clfthr germ of its own aniidotc. The
homage which rnvr'opc,l Helen like an
atmosphere, slc accepted rs tribute ot
love, rather than the reward OF real desert.
Squire Darrell naturally spoke much OF
) Or. Ms,iison, whom he dearly loved, and
} Dr. Lashlry responded with u fillal en'hn'
si'sm wh'rh quite won ilelen's heart. AS
the conversation Progressed he seemed
drawn unconsciously To speak ot his own
plans and purposes of life; OF his profess
-. ,.l;..I, -. .,n .ide rs.l sa.o,l ,n nnn,
in mean. ani opportunities Of good.
Allrol l.sshley was not Intentionally dis.
honest. hut he had marvellous power Of
expressing more than b. icl,. Some tell us
tha, the absolute. possession ot any great
virtue is necessary tn its real appreciation;
hm this man combined with unbounded
aspirations after true nobility, constitution
ready to fail at the first great trial. lie d,d
not know his own, great weakness-won'd
never know il until some test moment came