Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-02
On the Wing.
snKLnyyrLLr, TrsS., June Is, is6

4 DEAR LEDGER: Is true, the same
earth blooms in beauty and verdure at
our feet, the same breezes fan us with q
perfumed breath. the same sun careers in
mrjesiy above our heads; but else how
changed The joyous and buoyant
hearts that once laughed out in joy, are
now clothed in weeds Of mourning; the
high-toned chivalrous son OF the South,
who once boasted Of his country's free
dom, is now disfranchised, and his for
mer slaves elevated; the once. green
fields and verdant pastures are now
decked with weeds and thistles; and the
rich alluvial soil that once bloomed and
blossomed for mans benefit is now the
sepulcbre OF dead mems bones This
change is fully exemplifed on the line Of
the N. & c. r. r, between Nashville and
Shelbyville, aud more especially around
Murfreesboro.
On this route the crops, which consist
mostly Of corn, wheat and oats, with but
little cotton, are more Indifferent than i
expected, yet the people are buoyant
and hard at work, confidently looking for
a better time coming. Money matters in
the counties Of Bedford, Rutherford and
Marshall are rather stringent, yet the
wheat crop, now nearly harvested, will
| fill many hearts with Joy.
When nearing Christians, could see
the fields and forests over which l ram
bled during my boyhoed days.
The same log cabin lin ruins) where
my young ideas were first taught to
shoot, lies few yards to the east, and
many juvenile scenes spent in mirth and
happiness crowd my memory. What
changes have been wrought within thirty
years.
Scenes Of early affection cluster round
me now, and my heart throbs and the
warm, gushing lear starts to my eyes, as
/ ask the question, where are those loved
objects ofboyhood days2
Yonder silent graves answer the ques-
tion. Aud as i bow and water these
graves with affections tears, that fond
mother, that kind father, and that beloved
daughter heed not my moaning sobs and
cries. The whistlipg winds as they sing
doleful dirge over the departed ones
give back the only answer to affections
tribute. Truly, "man that is born of
woman is of few days and full of ftrouble. "
En- route to this place, lady askad
me if l knew certain dwelling, all di-
lapidated and moss-covered, on the road
side. Yes" Ireplied, "in that house /
partly wooed one of Shelbyvile's lovely
maidens. From that spot two young
hearts looked love from each others eyes,
and my young, poetic mind repeated
From you and you alone my doom / wait.
You arc the star whose influence rules my fate.
AT certain camp:ground hard by
and you know many wives were found at
those places of worship--a young gent OF
an adjoining county, twenty years ago,
was heard Say to dark eyed damsel of
Bedford,
So You stole my heart. and must for 1t atone;
Then prithee, return it, or give up your own.'
"Did l win the prizs2 She who now
presides over my own household, and
nightly prays for an absent husband, can
answer the question"
A short time after arriving here was
kindly invited to attend union picnic,
given by and to all ages, sexes, and po-
litical opinions. 1t was decidedly the
largest ever had the pleasure of attend
ing, and the good feeling and unanimity
that pervaded all deserve the praise of a
large and wellfed collection of the sons
and daughters of Bedford and Rutherford.
An extra train ran from Murfreesboro,
and mayfair damsels from there ''tripped
the fantastic toe" A large arbor, in a
beautiful grove, was erected for their
special benefit, under which | counted
forty couples dancing at one time. The
bright eyes, the bewitching smiles, the
graceful curls, the lovely faces, and the |
gentle shake of tender hands of Bedford's |
brightest jewels, were enough to cause
anyone to exclaim,
oh, would were boy again."
All was enjoyment, all were well fed,
and all appeared to regret approaching |
night. Returning peace and prosperity |
was natural thought The tables fairly |
proaned beneath the weight of everything |
that heart could wish for the stomach's
sake" and none went away hungry. 1t
was
"A feast ofreason and flow Of SOUL"
For rich and poor, young and old.
The managers deserve much credit for
good order aud strict attention to strsn-
gers, as not an oath was heard, not q
murmur, nor the least boisterous Lam
guage escaped any ones lips. The juve