The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-02-27
As Pickle as Love.
- HILLSIDE FARM, 1s74.

derment, and wondered that our du
brown earth could SO materially chang
its aspect in so short time. The seen
was indeed one of rare beauty-and on
which to the Imagination of the poet-o
eye Of the painter, must have furn
ished exquisite delight. The glitterin
snow fakes still fell thick and fast
! while the trees with their penden
! bOughs reaching almost to the ground
/ reminded one forcibly of the whitening
| beard of old age.
| The merry birds that were wont to raw
| ish our ears with their solos and quar-
tetts, were futtering among the snow,
branches and vainly looking for tn
/ dainty little morsels which they wer,
| accustomed 20 find upon the grassy
swSrd beneath. One little scarlet Ghroa
perched himself ON the topmost twig o
a small tree, and warbled forth q sweet
yet sad little song, which to my lively
imagination, seemed requiem for the
halcyon summer days, when the mead
ows were.carpeted with the sweet scent
cd clover blossoms, and the air was ladeL
with the perfume of the wild rose anC
hOneysuckle.
Looking away toward the western
horizon, we behold, swelling in its white
purity against the sky, u stupendous
mountain, almost as beauti uI we i'm
agine as the stately "Ben LOmondh
described by the fair OrtOtG not long
since. My mountian-yclept Olympus
by the villagers-rears It's superb head
with ma esJic grac6, while magniticen
retinue of clouds receive it into their
loving embrace-until the whole seems
blend, d into one fantastic and pictur-
esque landscape, suspended as IL were,
midway between heaven and earth.
As gaze entranced, and bewildered,
upon the air, a softly murmuring strain
OF music-So tremendously sweet, II
almost seems my dream OF another
world is realized, and stand ON the
hank OF the mystic river, and list to the
heavenly music of the blood washed
throng around our Fathers throne.
Bus my bright day dream cannot last,
and AS the Ire sh snow flakes come dash
ing in my face,S and / see The preJty cry g.
tails waltzing with tdntasticgrace through
the air, awake to the tact that there Is
melody in all beautiful motion, aud
while to the unappreeiative ear, the
grooming end soughing of the wind
through the Lofty forest trees is but the
fore-runner of dismal wintry weather;
TO the soul attuned in harmony with
nature, II is the plainLive minor strain
which underlIes and ushers into being
those grand "OvertureS" OF the Elements
which I'LL our hearts with awe, aud soft
ly whisper in our ear-'Peace be still
am the Lord" AS l look from my
window Tonight, and see in the distance
the still white mountain, with its silYery
sheen glimmering in the pale moonlight,
feel the full force OF the following
beautiful lines.
o.. the snow, the beautiful snow,
How the flakes gather and laugh as they go,
Wh1rling about i'll it's maddening fun,
1t plays in its giee with every one.
And even the dogs with a bark and a bound,
Snap at the crystals that eddy around,
The town is alive, and its heart in glow.
10 welcome the coming OF beautiful snow"
As look back into the vista of the
past, my mind reverEs 70 one snowy
night some three years ago which to one
heart at least was bitter, bitter time.
IL was wild stormy night IN December.
The wind blew in wild tiLful gusts oyer
hill and dale, raging fercely among the
lofty forest trees, and striking in wan
ton fury against a stately mansion,
which, standing on slight eminence,
seemed to bid defiance to the violence OF
the storm. kneeling at the window OF
aD upper chamber, from which beaned
a bright light, was young girl in the
first beauty of her youth. She was in
trouble, and the blow had come SO sud
denly, she seemed utterly crushed. Her
face was deathly pale, as she pressed il
against the window pane, and there was
a culver OF the bright sweet mouth,
which seemed formed only for smiles.
1t appeared hard indeed, that this great
trial should come upon her, who had
never felt real grief until tonight.
The only child of wealthy parents, she
had been shielded from every hardship,
and pelted and caressedffrom her baby
hood up TO the present hour. Her dark
luXuriant hair fell about her shoulders
N neglected manner suggestive OF
utter despair. The soft hands clenched
each other, as with a stony glare and
fearless eyes, she gaZed out upon the
great white pail beneath, and softly
to herself.
beautiful snow from the heavens;above,
Pure as an angel and tickle as Eore.'
AS she uttered these words, she arose
and with a shiver OF pain threw herself
lpon lounge which was dra wn in front
Of the CRATE. Reared as she had been in
he lap OF luxury, accomplished in all
he graces OF womanhood, and lovely as
an hourl of the East; it was hard to be- |
ieve that sorrow had spread the shadow
)f his sombre wings over one SO pure |
aud fair as our Margie. But two short |
months ago she had lett school with a |
light and joyous heart, and bright anti
cipations OF future pleasure and hapi- |
less. She looked upon the world as one |
vast wilderness of flowers, from which |
she had only TO pluck the sweetest and |
ARREST blossoms, and quatf from out |
heir depths the honeyed nectar which |
ay concealed therein.
All, 1CeIt for her that she could not |
oOk into the future and trace there the |
ines which were destined TO darken the |
ilsc of ner bright young lie. She soon |
all the love of her young hear |
lpon one who proved as inscriptions as
le was fascinating. Talented, accoln~ |
Dlished and wealthy, Walter j. was |
he delight of all the girls in the village. |
He had fitted around many fair maid~ |
ms i'll his light, careless way, but when |
Margie came lone from school, his at |
,ention 10 her became so marked, that |
he village girls who had been angling |
or the handsome young lawyer, soon |
etlred crest, fallen from the field. For |
while the course OF true love ran
smoothly on. Walter was the most de-
voted of lovers, and Ma-gie's cup of
happiness seemed full to the brin.
They laughed and talked, and read and
'ang together, while the light in Mar
sie's eye grew brighter, the roses deep~
'ned N her cheeks, and her sweet sill
'ery voice rang out on the air like the
;hime of merry Christmas bells. But
Don the bark of her happiness twas
Miss w. from a neigh
boring State came to spend few weeks
With u friend who resided in the village.
She was fascinating woman, as we'll rs
designing one, and soon contrived by |
Ter arts to win Walter from his allegi-
lnce to his betrothed. Rumors of her
wealth had preceded her COM
ng, and with that sordidness, and fick@ |
eness, characteristic OF so many men of
he world, he forgot his plighted vows,
lis manhood and his honor, and pros
rated Himself at the shrine of almighty
hGnlnlOn. Margie's existence seemed |
or only remembered when
" chance they met upon the street, or
It some public entertainment, and at
UGH times he passed her by with down.
asst eyes, as if afraid to meet her deep,
earching gaze. She could not believe |
lin false, and had rendered to herself,
hundred excuses for his strange con-
luct. On the night, however, Of which
We write, while standing at the window
which overlooked the street, her atten-
ion was drawn to a splendid buggy
which came dashing swiftly down the
and leaning forward to discov-
r, if possible, the occupants, what was
Ter amaZement to see Walter holding
he reins while the dashing Miss w. sat
beside him with her head leaning slight
y on his shoulder. And as if in mock
Try OF her agony, she saw htnl-he1' LOU-
r-stoop forward and rapturously kiss
he eyellds, cheeks and lips OF the tdLSe,
Dir creature by his side. Like an cleo
rig shock the truth came to Margie. |
She had made her idol and found 10 cLdU,