Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-11-03
DRIFTING WITH THE TIDE.


Il
Here, Nature was rugged, but grand
The mountains were lofty and maies-
tic, aud raising their broad fronts on
either side, Graded the flowing river,
and hushed it into noiseless slumber
The sunbeams went elanting down the
hill-sides, imparting their own bright
colored tints TO the clinging moss, and
glancing in and out the gay foliage
then falling upon the river, made long
tracks of rosy light, whose bright
coursings were intently watched by
one occupant of a pretty little boat
that was driftingwith the tide. Philip
Randolph dropped the oars, and fol
lowed in its course the circling light
He was wondering what the angel Of
dreams was whispering to the quiet
stream for if ever river slept, this one
was slumbering now Over its sur
face, the winds chanied a sweet lullaby,
and the strong mountains folded it in
their great arms, aud all was still
A quaint little boat it was, and a
quaint little maiden she. who sat at
one end, with head bowed down on
her hand A rustic hat shaded her
face, from beneath which the soft
brown curls fell in graceful negligence.
Her only beauty was pair of hazel
eyes, both roguish and sparkling; but
when n word of love would call into
beng the most beautiful bushes and
the merriest dimples, you would travel
far before finding sweeter or gentler
face. So thought Philip Randolph.
OF what was che so steadfastly
thinking, on this bright summer even
ing, when all maidenbood should be
merry and gayg Perhaps, like the
river, she was dreaming Of the one
bright sky the waters OF her heart
reflected. But her dreams wcre not
peaceful; anG, raising her head with
a sigh, she glanced at her companion.
Very grave aud earnest was his look
rs he asked the question, "Nettie, what
is your decision " Again her head
drooped down on her hand, with the
answer: "lIush let me think"
Weighty and momentous thoughts
were they that filed that pretty head !;
her whole life rose up before her
scenes changing and shifting like the
pictures in u Kaleidoscope. Philip
Randolph and she had grown up from
childhood together, under the guard
ianship Of Philips father How well
She remembered the old red school
house, where both had gone day after
day to receive knowledge; the snow
covered bill, up and down which Philip
had drawn her on his sled, and made
her cheeks glow like roses when he
wouid stoutly refuse any rival tho
honor of doing likewise. Her first
ride on "Old Whitley" she standing
on the farm yard gate aud springiug
into the saddle, and Philip leading the
dear old horse; then, when she could
gallop and leap bitches he had brought
her home the prettiest Of ponies to be
all her very own; alerward, their
separation; she being sent TO board
ing school and he to college An the
inconsistencies Of that drcary night
came back 90 her now, and Ncttie's
tears flowed down her checks at the
very remembrance. How Madame
A frowncd when letter in Phil
ips bold, free handwriting was given
her; and the anger of Nettio when
, Madame tore it up, as she didn't allow
/ young ladies TO receive letters from
, gentlemen.
The long three years that seemed
, TO have 40 ending, and then the meet.
ing at the old homestead. How she
blushed and smiled as, instead of O
= mere youth, Philip appeared before
n her ns young gentleman, and com
= plimcn:ed her upon her improved
I appearance. Then the long days o
4 heartsiukness, when the flirt OF tn,
country Unanswered in all sorts o
ways to gain Philips heart, and Meth,
was so wounded that she treated hiu
roldly aud answered him rudelv; thci
= wopt all night about it. How nobly
i philip had saved her life; saved he
from horrible death, and in recon
pcnse thereof claimed her as his own
, We'll she remembers the hearts hlooI
!, surging up 10 her cheek, and the thrill
Z Of pleasure convulsing Der whole be
I ing; and now She fccls that withou
y hin this world wonld bo a droar,
"a void. and she poor waif Then th
I. day. this very day ID was, Philip ha
I asked his father TO give blessing {
:. their hctrufhal. but Mr. Randolph ha
y declared, ut must never be; the.
must forget one another, and liz
~ happy apart" Tic refused all oxpls
4 nauuns until Philip vowed not {
,n obey him in this case, and not unit
y then did he tell his son why lac mas
: not love Nettic
Long ago, n duel had been fougl
:, befwecn Nottic's father and Philips
!. The former was instantly killcdi th
!. latter. struck by romorsc, bad endea'
i orcd to atone by cducaiing tho dangl
~ Ter of his enemy, never dreaming
y SO disastrous q consequence as the Nv
NJ Young peoples falling in love. But
III 4 the old. old story, repeating iise
~ again. Worldly eyes are wisei The
',o are iar.seoing aud yigilant, and world
lc hands would ondeavor TO draw asul
,y der two lives that should mngle
~ one; but, in spite Of all the world
- eyes and hands. the current OF tr'
"a love that for "a timo had been tnrnC
u out Of its course, flows back into q
y original channel with greater ior
y, than before, and thus flowing o
~ reaches the eternal sea and the
ar abileth forever.
MI Neuio's pale features told the om
he ton of her heart, and Philips IA
,d. qnivored with anguish as be noted b
nr sorrow. Why should these two, wI
MI loved so icrvenily-why should lhl
am be separated for the crime Of anothe
IFS Ncilie had never seen her iaihel
,ih iace-had never experienced hor fat
- ~. Fa.,- had mayer cxpericuCCd u