The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-06-16
MY EXPERIENCE.
BY F. G. M'CAULEY.

nave Deen lne excitement OF a morbid
curiosity that prompted me to 90 abroad
in search Of adventure and new scenes,
but | will not attempt to explain it,
leaving that part to the student of men
tai philosophy, but certain | am that it
came upon me. | was dull lad until
the age of ten, when | was aroused to
make an eXertion TO distinguish myself
in the little school near my fathers
residence. made rapid progress, and
not only mastered the rudiments of q
good English education, but devoted
much time TO reading, mostly books of
travel, adventure, and above all, ticti-
tious writings, which painted life in
such glowing colors that longed to see
and realize all this glory myself AS |
grew older this longing increased until
it became my mania, and | longed for
the time when | would be allowed to 90
and participate really in the golden flu
ture whose dreams now fascinated and
bewildered me. All my spare money
was invested in gaudy .jewelry, watch,
pins, rings and fine clothes, and that
| thought went to make up fine gen
tleman. | cultivated my incipient
moustache, talked small talk and in
vented a variety of nonsensical foolish
ness. read the romances, especially of
the blood and thunder kind, and really
believed myself the hero Of the village.
But still the passion developed itself.
My parents saw my dissolute course,
and warned me Of its evident conse-
quences, plead with me to reform, and
used every argument in vain. | was
deaf to everything except the raging
madness that consumed all within me.
| despised labor, and friends Of my
earlier days, considered my parents
" old fogies" who meant we'll but who
did not understand the elevating infu-
ences Of the life | wished to lead. The
minister of the church where my pa
rents worshipped pleaded with me and
mplOred me tearfully to turn from the
broad road to sin, TO renounce the gilt
tering lures, and start life in the straight
but narrow path that led to the New
Jerusalem. NY venerable schoolmaster
used the same arguments and eXerted
all his influences, and the old men Of
the town did the same. but their words
fell on ears Of stone. The devil within
me would not be controlled and ! did
wish to control it. How lazily the days
went by, and rejoiced as each evening
came that | was nearer the desired
object.
But it came at last. One bright Oc-
tober morning, when the ripe fruits
bent the boughs and the serene air
made the skies a deeper blue, when the
robin and the summer birds were pre-
pairing to depart for spicy groves and to
dwell among tropical flowers and en-
during verdure, my heart was in SYM
patty with them, for was not / prepar-
ing to leave the inhospitable neighbor-
hood Of my birth and to find warmth
and enjoyment in the city paradise ?
Yes, | would leave the gray country for
the luXuriant repose Of city life. The
future was golden, refluent with prom
Uses of joy.
was twenty-one, and the next day
was TO depart. | paced over the yard,
through the orchard, down the meadows
and pastures, by the clear spring, and
reckoned the deeds of my childhood,
and then for the first time a pang shot
through my heart.
Pshaw ! said, away with the boyish
thoughts they dO not become a man,
will laugh at such thoughts when far
away. The wished for day came at last,
arose early and packed my trunks,
many of the things were carefully pre-.
pared by my mother who sat up night
after night, | am confident to make
them. and often her low cough could be
heard as the clock struck one. | can
hear her now and that cough rings in
my ears like knell. The coach came
and my father got into it and rode
some distance, he tried to persuade me
to return yet at last but in vain. My
mother had kissed me goodbye and
stood on the porch with her eyes swim
ming in tears. see her now as | saw
her then and the little group around
her. Ny father asked me what ! intend
eel to Go but | could not tell him, in
fact ! did not know At last he left and
babe me good-morning adieu with tears
running down his checks, the tears Of
my mother did not move but when my
father cried felt for him Il sovereign
contempt. He had given me five hun
dred dollars and deposited one thousand
opposite my name at the bank. The
coach rolled rapidly away but it seemed
slow to me but in due time the city
came in sight which was TO be the
scene OF my future endeavors. Blessed
slght, | now was free to act, away from
the restraining influence of parents and
OF course | felt the dignity of my posi-
ton. | took rooms at good hotel and
when went to bed lay for some time
revolving plans for the future. Sleep
came at last to me and dreams happy
dreams. | awoke in the morning, at
first feeling at home but the din and
hustle OF the city recalled me to my
new life.
arose, descended to breakfast and
after making arrangements for boarding
paying weeks board in advance,
and inquiring for several bushes firms.
started out, and, after visiting several,