The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-07-26
Margaret HelRm1ings
From the Overland Monthly

and customary freight Of passengers.
The occasion of the holiday and con-
course was the expected return of John
Hemming, who had gone to the "Bay,"
to meet his wife and child upon their
arrival from the ''States.n
John was held in great consideration
at Howe's Flat, not only because he was
the chief owner in sundry very impOr-
tant mines, but for the reason, as the
miners expressed it. "He came as near
being a White man as any they make"
A Cloud of dust announced the com
ing of the train. In the advance rode
the conductor, accompanied by a bright
eyed lad of some eight years, who salu-
ted the people with "Good evening,
gentlemen, [ am Johnny Hemming;
please help me down"
While Johnny was fast making friends
by his prattle, his audience was called
away by loud shout from the street,
and the exclamation, "John Hemming
in a billed shirt and a plug hat, or I'll be
blOwedw
Hemming and wife, who had fingered
in the rear of the train, to keep out of
the dust, now rode up-she, to be intro
duced to, he to encounter the greetings
OF, his numerous friends.
The comments OF the people upon
NA1c' NCAO GtlIOSCN4ACA
able; not SO hers upon them. "Barba-
riansw was her ser ventiOus remark.
MargaI ct Hemming VS. an intellec-
tual wOman-nOt that she was entirely
wanting in wonanly sympathy, or in
spiritual nature, but these lay within
| her unclltivated-her intellect alone
| was developed. Married and left by
herself while yet scarcely more than
child in years, she had calmly surveyed
| the situation. She hoped John would
return from California with a fortune,
and she determined to qualify herself
for the position which wealth gives in
| every community.
She thought. also, of the possibility of
even, and said to herself, "Then, for
the sake Of the unknown future, and
that l may make the most of life, I will
achieve what | may; acquisitions never
come amiss."
Under other influences, John had OBJ
| tanned his development. Neither books
nor cultivated people informed his
mind, or polished his manners; but he
had seen the world, and had learned
that there are more things in heaven
and e,.rth than are dreamed of in
| philosophy. He saw that every man and
woman is more sinned against than
shining, and his heart was inspired with
love. He struggled with difficulties,
a ID acquired faith; encountered life's
varied experiences, and 1eaTTed charity.
When THESE two people met in Cali
fOrnia, after Their long separation, it
was to tie bitterly disappointed. To
John, Margaret was a statue, done in
ice-clea-, glitte- ing, cold; to Margaret,
John was an image Of clay-dull, heavy,
| wanting.
Her manners were refined; his were
coarse. Grace distinguished her every
mOtiOn; he was aWkwark and ungainly.
She was mistress of all the artsOf pleas
ing; while he had no deft ways but
rather blunt sincerity, often offensive,
even in the performance of the kindest
acts. How could there be harmony
His genius rebuked by that of his wife,
John could find no comfort in her pres
cree, but fed from it to the more con-
genial society OF the miners.
Time wore on; a year had passed.
The Hemmings, preserving the out
ward relations of husband and wife.
were scarcely ON speaking terms; and.
when words were intercharged, itWould
have been better if they had been left
her situation. is it to be ever thus r.
said she.
Then John would answer: "By and
by we will leave this place for Frisco
on the States. Not now, for our wealth
is mainly prospective. The claims must
firs5 be worked out. We must realize
Have patience"
Patience" sneered Margaret. "Have
patience, while my best years are vast.
ing, while I am growing old before my
time, while, rust is corroding all the
faculties of my mind. Have patience
to endure the horrible sameness of ex
istence in this miserable town, in quiet
respectability. No, no; [ cannot en-
dure simply to be. must live; mus
have. If the society and surrounding
crave are denied me, | viii make thu
most of what is at hand. will not bt
immured in living tomb. Society il
here chaos, but there shall be ball
and gatherings"
Then John would answer, dreamily
Happiness is from Within
Margaret fulfilled her threat. Bal
r succeeded ball. Motley crowds of peo
pIe were drawn together, and over tn
assemblages she reigned a queen. A
her house was found welcome for al
those brilliant men with whom tn
mines were infested, who, their imagi
nations being in the ascendant owe
their judgments, suffer shipWreck earl.
| in the voyage of life, and ever after lv
. by their wits, becoming gamblers ant
sharpers. For a time, to save appear
ances, Hemming escorted his wife Whel
d she went out, and tolerated at his owl
2 house thepresence of unweleOme guests
\ but this could not last. The time cam
when he said to her, that, for the future
y he should neither do one nor the Other
GA slvo,1 n1easa y said MARGARET: an
= the evening following, with other es
cort, she attended a dance. The mex
morning, Margaret saw that storI
: was at hand, and she braced herself fo
its coming.
: John said, at have interests at Jaspe
B Creek. I shall go there to attend
q them, and shall be absent some time
y perhaps all winter
Very Well,n said Margaret; "yo
cannot 90 too soOn." .-.....
al shall take Johnny, said he.
: Margaret smiled incredulo
John repeated, "I shall take Johnny
2 2 "Do not Think said she, to frighte
: me with an idle threat. Let me at leas
retain what respect now have for yot
Il good sense. / am not a child, to b
E frightened into compliance with yoT
. wishes
= 1T is not an idle threat" returne
= he; nor do appeal to your fears
control your actions, It is my IKE
I purpose that the boy shall go with nj
y and j only speak of it that may not |
apparently guilty of the meanness {
stealing him away.
ae Margaret rose to her feet, and sait
Els it possible, that beneath all thi
. show of homely goodness turks spiT
90 mean as to take from q mlseTab