The Republican journal., 1874-10-08
How 1T was Done.

The Merrimac Journal tells story of a rus
tic swain of Newbury, Mass, to whom years
had come without matrimOny or that knowl-
edge of the fascinating world which is neces-
sary to avoid devious and dangerous paths,
and who was beguiled, Il short time since, by
two nymphs of the pave, whose quarters were
in the "Push-and-Pulr' hotel, formerly bearing
the name of Americas most distinguished phil
osopher. How could he do otherwise than
linger on the brink of pleasure, though dangers
were thick and fast upon him. Stronger men
than he had done the same-Samson, the lion
slayer and Philistine killer, among them. Wiser
men had done the same-Solomon, the wisest of
all. He was shepherd boy once, this New
bury farmer, an old boy now, and the royal
shepherd boy of Israel, before him, had laid
aside his harp, whose sweet notes could soothe
an insane king. to listen to the sWeeter notes of
the female voice. Let not the world judge
harshly therefore. Every man to his destiny.
What if the onions in the Oldtown fields We're
not weeded, or the potatoes hoed, or the cattle
cared for; he must go to his Delilah IN town ::
and SO often that old horse-old enough to have
borne veteran militia officer on his back in
the days of the Salt Hay company - even
learned the way and knew the stopping place.
As time moved on, marriage was talked Of,
and the engagement ring was forthcoming.
Now all was gay as May morning. and
"birdS did sing in her BOSOM" as Elizabeth
says; and it seemed so pleasant so natural to
love-lS not the matter all recorded in tine
"statements with which the papers have
teemed He had money-inherited and hard
earned: money-oug from the soil, gathered
from the trees. torn from the marshes. drawn
from the udders of the willing COWS; money
the minted labors of Years. But who can tell
what man of halt century, in love for the
nrst time, Will do Love that could break the
crust of such Il heart, would laugh at purse
strings: and SO the deposits were withdrawn
from the Savings Bank, and the ladies are
AL ril Sh.al At
North-end, which to him was more attractive
than the harpof Orpheus to the ghosts of hades,
though that could draw the shades of the dead
back To earth.
But why delay? Let Us make the story short
one cool September mornng-there was SOME
thing chilly in the air-the old horse, like the
one in the song, looking as though he never
was neW-wehded his way up High street and
doWn-(neNer mind the name) to the house OF
the farmers renting. He ring>-iio answer
He raps With his heavy riding-whlp-but no re-
Spouse. His heart leaps up to his throat-''are
they dead. are the early loved early lost:' He
rusheS to the rear of the house and climbs into
one Of the ENTHUSIASTICALLY there-no furni.
ture even: no piano in the parlor; no mirror
on the wall; no picture of Isaac at the Well, OF
Elizabeth on the little red lounge.'' He
looks to see if he has not been mistaken in
the house; he runs to the neighborS to know
what has happened. No consolation for his eX-
cited heart: and little information was receiy-
ei. lite learned that when the moon was up
and the stars first began to appear, the night
before. teams were moving furniture to the rail
road. Then to the railroad she runs, as fast
as he could 90" 10 find that the freight train
had borne away The merchandise four hours be-
fore. In fact, the birds had 1lown-those beau
tiflll little songsters, the delight of his soul
and the cage was smashed-literally robbed and
riddled. He returned by the way of the Old
town graveyard, wishing that he was sleeping
with the ashes of his fathers; and the last seen
Of him. he was sitting on a rock behind the
barn with pencil and paper. reckoning the
cost. The bird that flew past saw $500 one
item: $500 a second item; and was frightened
by the eXclamatioI-"M God, is this me: Is
it reality or a dream:
Alas for human ntirmities-the Weaknesses
Of man; the trailty of woman. But be will be
wiser if not richer; and when next the iattcl-
rr comes and the syren sings, he will know the
cost, and will not daily there