Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-05-19
PHILIP DApRELL,s MORTGAGE.

" How sweet il were, hearing the downward stream
With half-shut eyes ever TO seem
Falling asleepina half-dream.h ~ 2
Yes, indeed, how delightful it would
be, to be sure; but. then, ones eye
might 70 altogether shut. and some day
one might fall wholly asleep. Perhap:
that contamination is not one to be de
voutly prayed for"
l do not believe that Margaret Ray
mond had ever been in such thorough
ly Lotos-Eating state of mind, as on thai
Identical August afternoon, three years
ago. Indeed her surroundings fully
warranted it. 1t was such n pleasant
resting place under that old oak. The
golden sunshine coming through its
branches threw quaint leafy shadows on
her white dress. Soft grassy banks slop
ing gently away on either side; and at
her feel little gurgling brook. Strange
isn't it, what an enervating influence such
streams of singing water have upon some
peculiar organizations.
Margaret bad come to this her favorite
retreat, with the intention of having an
hour of quiet reading, and finally came
across the lines with which We have CON
menced this story.
Il WONDER said she, gaily, talking TO
the book, no doubt, if 'rennyson meant
to bring out all tho latent selfish and lazy
propensities of mankind, when he wrote,
THE Lolos- Eaters?' If so, he has sue
ceeded admirably
While Margaret is finishing her read
ing. let US look at her, for she is assured
w worth the trouble.
Tall, ard finely formed. with clear
olive complexion beautiful dark eyes, and
n small, shapely head, crowned with an
abundance of jelty hair-a noble, queen
ly woman.
1t finally entered Margarei's mind that
she had been dreaming for q sufficiently
long time, and that she had better return
home. As she rose to do so. her gaze
fell upon a white hOuse standing on q
hill on the other side of the brook; a
pretty house, half way between farm
house and villa. %, pretty house,
apostrophized she, when will you be n'y
pretty housed
Just then she saw Philip Darrell com
ing down the road leading from the house,
and with pretty little pleased blush, she
reseated herself 10 wait for him. He
crossed the rustic bridge over the brook,
and came up to her with tender greet
ings.
q -FIinging himself down upon the grass
at her side, he said, 1 saw you here .un-
der the old oak, Maggie, darling, aud
came out to have little talk with you :.
L am very glad you did, Philip; for
it is so pleasant here to dav, that il seems
hardly right should be selfish, and enjoy
it all bv myself -......-
you selfish! o, no, Maggie, that
would be impossible. Reading Tenny
son, are you? And here's The book
marked with blue ribbon at the 'Lotos
Eaters l don't consider that very in
spring poem, for my part
Il IKE it, Philip And then Maggie
said, thoughtfully, do you know, dear,
that when | saw you coming, | was just
looking at the house, over the book
wondering il l ever should be mistress o.
it, and, wondering, | became somewhat
discouraged -.-. --.-...
%. that mortgage, that mortgage!
cried Philip. Dear Maggie, why will
you not consent to marry me immediate
~? We could pay the hateful debt just
as soon, and we should be SO much hap
pier
mo, no. said Maggie, cheerfully.-
When we marry it must be with moth
ing to mar our peace and happiness. MOI
even mortgage. 1t is not SO very large
Only fifteen hundred dollars, and | dc
not think it will take you quite always tc
pay it.
You philosophical little fairy laugh
ed Philip, admiringly, and kissing hel
fondly. ass
Dear Philip said Maggie, with q
grave look upon her sweet face, sit is moi
all my philosophy some Of it is my faith
er's, you know. He says he does moi
consider it prudent for us to marry unit
we can see our way clear before us; and
you know, | owe some Difference to hi:
opinions
Yes said Philip, slowly and thought
fully, not more than half convinced.
They remained silent for some time
watching the rosy clouds. as one by one
they said good night to the sun. Final
" Maggie rose to return home. PHILIP
Darrell accompanied her as far as the
door, and then left her.
That night, as Margaret sat in hel
room, lighted only by the silver radianc'
of the moon, a thong h; came to her:-
why can not assist Philip to pay that
mortgage? | am sure / could if tri
ed - - -
Thinking earnestly for some time, sht
at last formed, what seemed to her, {
promising plan. She had already writ
ten some short stories for magazine, un
dera nom de plEme; scould she not essay
greater work? Perhaps it might b
successful, and then-but she did not nj
low herself to build her air castle too
high, for fear it might topp!e over. Sht
made tie foundation sure as she could
and then trusted to her future endeavors
to furnish the means with which to com
plete the fair and graceful structure. Sh,
decided 10 90 aWav from home, wher,