Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-15
THAT WOMAN OVER THE WAY.
BY PAUL PLUME.


He was my room-mate, and knew him
intimately. He came from New England,
and WIS general fayoFite with both pro-
fessors and students, and that at a time
when Northern men had little favor to ex-
pect from those who we're then vehementlv
ooisteTing up the Hpeculiar institution"
But Vincent BeemRn was one of those
spleudit fellows whose great, generous
natures win for themselves friends wherever
,aeir lot may cast them.
No stu -ent of our class went forth from
the College with more distinguished or bet
ter earned honors. We all agreed that be
would fill an illlstrious position in the
world, no matter what profession he adopt
ed. - ----..
Up to tho time of which am writing, he
had made no choice of future calling, no
because he was indolent or undecided, fcl
he was q severe student, and rarely passed
en- idle day. Yet, with al his undoubted
genius, he was dreamer and metaphysical
combined, and loved to discourse for hours
| on his favorite topics.
If the class ventured TO predict his future
they ct him as one of the coming literary
lights, and great reformer of new schoo
whose ethics would be peculiarly ew and
startling. But when be heard these pre-
dictions he would only smile and shake his
head. as ac
He stood almost alone in the world, his
only relative being an uncle whose large
wealth he was one day to inherit. But be
cou have witnessed all bis relatives mon.
ey pass from his grasp and never have fell
les loss inasmuch as be was already endow-
ed with far greater fortune than usually
falls to the lot of young men Of his age.
The day Ct separation at length came,
and we babe each other adieu, and set out
fer our respective homes-I to Georgia
and BeemSn Gas he l&ughiDgly ramarked)
TO where
1.-THE breaking waves dashed high"
81 hope we may meet again, Charley, u
be said, as he shook re by the hand at the
cars, whittier had accompanied him.
"The wish is mutual" l rejoined, ''but
to tell you the truth, see little chance OF
my coming Nortk soon. My fathers health
is poor, and my younger brother, who has
been conducting the plantation, will tske
bis place at college as soon as 1 return. He
was too young for the responsibility, butmy
father thought ke could assist him to q
greater extent than he was able, and SO
Gus tried it. Poor boy, he has not sue
ceeded very well, and the sooner | get back
the better it will be pecuniarily for all con-
cerned. Suppose You visit me, Beeman?
You are man of LEISURE"
"Thank you. Some day, perhaps, but
not very soon. III find plenty to do when
l once paddle my own canoe out on the
broad ocean of life. Still l hope we may
meet sooner than We anticipate, for | shall
never FORGET what good friends we have
been. We've never mad an angry WORD,
have We, Charley"
"Never to my recollection"
The steam whistle blew.
"Good-by, O. srley."
Good by, Vincent" and We who had for
two years been constant companions OF
each other were parted, perhaps, never to
meet again.
An hour later and l was whistling past
the sns Ike fences of Virginia, bound for the
home of my childhood, and wondering how
they all would stare to see how had grown
in two years, for had not been home dur
ing my vacations, but spent them with my
aunt in Maryland. @ ls
In due season was landed at the station
nearest my home. II looked Just as | last
saw it. The old log building with its wide
pOISU Huu It's dSCOo-
toned place on the road, and could see oaI
old gig with the gray mare tied to tree
| awaiting me, while the grinning face of Gus
browner and more freckled than Of yore,
was peering in the car windows In search
of his brother.
A leap from the car and was by the side
of Gus ere he knew it; the next moment be
was hugging me with the strength of 8
| young bear.
'I'm 30 glad you have come, Charley,
be exclaimed. "Gracious" he continued,
chow you have changed! How do l look
! Charley?"
"Browner and bigger, as if you had spent
great deL of your time in the cottoI
field; but you're the same Gus" replied
| pinching his ear.
you're correct, brother" he rejoined
"l'Ve had to do good deal out of doors
Pap don't like our OVerseer much, and I'vt
had to be up early and late, for things DOM
go straight il some of us is not about, aud
pap can't even ride the old mare about the
place as he used to.
am sorry to hear it, Gus; but now I've
got back once mure, III try and take th'
burden off your shoulders, my boy. You
must have mad hard time"
ooh, mol l. went difficult enough a
FIRST, particularly when Ross CHATS thu
name Of our overseer) got drunk, then il
bothered me good deal; but after Will
l became used to the matter, and forgo
the fatigue l at first felt"
'Why did not father discharge the man?'
l asked.
"Couldn't do much BETTER" Gus replied
ono gooi overseers about now, 50 he wa
glad to put up with Ross. Latterly he'
been keeping pretty sober, and we hope hi
is reforming"
oI'll assume the task of bringing him Il
his Senses" l replied, "if be relapes into hi
old habits"
"There, Charley, s'cred Gus. "does tina
look nstural?" pointing to the Chatshooch
river that was coming in sight. "The oil
Indian grounds are Just the same as thel
were when you last saw them. I'll bet yo'
haven't seen a river since you have beef
away that seemed IS good to your eyes a
this"
uNo, Gus, L haven't. There is no place
after all, as dear as ones home"
Five years had rolled away, and unde
my management affairs at the plantation
had undergone q thorough change. Tn
crops paid well enough and had sent Ros
on his travels, and supplied bis place with
better man. -.
Gus had been to college and was ono
more at home, and at his urgent solicits
ton | yielded the management of tho plac
again into his hands. He now succeede
better, believe, than l could have done.
The Spring of 1S47 found me journeyiu
toward the city of New Yerk, where ha
r to transact some business with my father
agent.
5 had been there couple of wees
5 when one day met Vincent Beeman ia
4 | to face.
"What are you doing here?" asked,
( soon as our greeting was over.
, ''I live here, Charley" he replied. "TI
{ fact is, l can't exist anywhere else. tri,
Boston to my hearts content, but
r wouldn't do. had 10 return 70 Gotham
: ats great city," answered.
! eyes" he replied, cit is great. We