Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-18
l0riginal.l
BOOK OF TRAVEL SKETCHES
no. XVI.
UNCLE JOHNS TWO YEARS.
BY AITCH.

Z
John and little Bessie were enjoying theil
accustomed early walk in the garden
From the vine-shaded window where
sat driving my busy, busy quill, their ia
miliar forms came full in view, across
the way. 1t was a pleasant sight-one
that wooed me from the weary task that
had no ending. The genial, kindly face
of the old man, the blithesome, rosy
visage of the child The quiet dignity
the tender sympathy Of age-the thought
less innocence, the simplicity of child
hood. The rosy morn and golden eve OF
life, blended together
AS / still sat, an absorbed spectator OF
their undisturbed enjoyment of the hour
and scene, | longed to throw aside my
weary pen, and join them in the garden.
But stern, Implying necessity will not
be triAed with. And more, felt itwould
be wrong to mar the sacred harmony, the
sweet tranquility of the scene by such
intrusion. So | contented myself with
meditatively regarding them. without a
thought of sacrilege.
Uncle John seated himself on rustic
bench, under the shadow of lilac-cov-
cred mound. Half reclining here, his
| uncovered head rested against the frame
that supported the dropping foliage, the
long wavy masses of his silvery hair
mingling with the leaves of the vine.
A happy smile lit up the old man S
face, jas, wholly absorbed, he watched the
playful fancies of the child His broad
trimmed hat he held in hand between his
knees, while Bessie heaped it high with
many colored blossoms and spray OF
green leaves. .n a
0fthese her nimble little fingers plated
wreath, which she playfully entwined
around the old man s neck crossing 1t
upon his breast, and fastening the ends
at the left side, after the manner of a
military sash. Then of the treasures
that remained she decked his goodly per-
son further, setting each button-hole
with brilliant gems of buds and violets
and blushing roses, until the fond old
gentleman resembled more venerable
cupid, smiling out of the depths Of huge
bouquet, than the plain Uncle John that
he was
At last, her grateful task completed to
her satisfaction, the little Miss retreated
few PAGES from her amused subject, and
turning her little head on one side, with
a comical assumption of critical gravity,
carefully studied the effect of her artistic
work 5000
The face and form of kind-hearted
Uncle John, as seen in those gorgeous
surroundings, struck the child as being
so very funny that she broke out into a
a merry, ringing laugh, and clapped her
hands in an ecstacy of glee The old
gentleman, surprised at the amusement
which his novel appearance excited, ac-
tually blushed like schoolgirl, and APP
peared not little confused.
The next instant he caught the lassie
in his arms, and fairly smothered her
with loving kisses. He removed the beau
tiful wreath from his own person, and en-
circled Bessie's slender form with the
coils of the gorgeous tiara. Then to-
gether - two heart firm companions,
though man and child--they continued
their walk through the winding paths be-
yond. 1t was a very picture of Wisdom
and Beauty journeying to the court of
the Graces
OH a happy man was Uncle John. Yet
his life had not always been thus bright
and fair. A moody, meditative mind, a
nature modest and retiring, with ardent,
tender sensibilities, his shrinking feet
could find more cruel thorns along the /
path of life than those Of any mortal else I
His early years were only ministers of
deep disappointment and misfortune; I
and the afternoon of life closed in~joy- /.
less gloom and darkness, discovering to |
the world a lonely being, prematurely /
aged, without hope this side Of unre-
yealed eternity.
An only sister dying in a far-of coun-
try. left TO his care and protection this I
hapless, friendless little orphan, Bessie. /
Her coming let the light into his life,
that else would not have shone upon his
cheerless path. This joyous, innocent,
confding creature was his light, his sun,
his life. In her pure, artless nature the
Dlighted germ of his affections had at
,nce taken root, fed and nourished by
i, his very existence dependent ON IT
low. Ht
Two years went by; two joyous years
Uncle John was growing young again.
The light and hope and buoyaney Of
routh. obscured BY clouds before that
iunny summer time of life had half
departed, revived again, all Unexpectedly
,fter those years Of blight II
There we're three in that little family.
That was enough for them The man
md child desired 40 other companion
hip. And they were but two. in good
ruth. Mrs. Sharp. the hOusekeeper.
motive. unimpulsive worker, was little
ess than a foreigner and stranger there.
But then she seldom troubled them, and
hat was all they wished They lived
ogether. in and for each other.
That lovely summer day wore on. The |
,fternoon was waning rapidly. Right
.ladly at length laid by my weary,
.ndless task, and directed my steps !
oward the cottage DER the way. had
,assed many pleasant hours with Uncle