Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-05

/ tied and sung that air and words oil TINS
cheerful old song hundreds of times, and
every line was familiar TO memory. !
/ listened with pleased interest Tor little
while, aud then, us my changing state
save power to revolutions quick.born OF
better reason, said in my thought, en-
phaticalIy, as if remanding an evil spirit,
"Bogone, duh carew And the liend
/ lett me.
Then spoke cheeIlully, and in tone OF
interest to quiet little May, who had
walked aronud mo three OF four times.
/ wondering in her little heart, no doubt,
~ hat held her al distance from her
I Papa, and whowas now seated by her
mother, leaning her fnNen head, lluted
/ all over with glossy curls, against her
knee She sprung AT my voice and was
. in my lap at bound. Whist thrill of
pleasure the tight of her arms to my
heart, o. love, thou art full of blessing
From that moment felt kinder towards
my noishbor. He had done mc good
had played before me as David PLAYED
before Saul, exercising the evil spirit OF
discomfort. There was 10 longer re-
pelaut sphere, and soon all my little
one. were close around me and happy aS
in other times with their father. Alter
+ they were all in bed. sat alone with my
/ wife, the cares that "inlcst The day made
uew assault upon me, and vigorously
stlove TO regain their los, empire in my
mind. felt their approaches, and the
gradual receding OF cheerful thoughts
with every advancing step they made. In
my Struggle to maintain that tranquility
which 40 Strengthens the soul for work
and duty. arose and walked the floor.
Ny wife looked up to mo with inquiry in
her lacc Then she let her eyes fall upon
her needle work, and as glanced toward
+ her at every turn in my walk | saw an
expression Of tender concern on her lips
She understood that was not at ease in
nv minI, and tho knowledge troubled
her.
"Iow wrong in me" l said in self
re5uke- thus to let idle broodlng over
mere outside things which such brooding
can in no Way ahect. trouble the peace OF
my Lome;" and l made new effort to
rise gain into a SUMMER re 5ion. But the
lieud hal me in his clutches again. and
+ could no. re,e ease myself. Now it WAS
f that my David came anew to my relief
suddenly his clear notes rang out in the
air. Away with Melancholy "
cannot tell which worked the instant
reyuIsion OF leeling that came-Ihe
cheerful air, the words ofth song which
we're called 10 remembrance by the air,
or the associations OF bygone years that
were revived. Bet the spell Was potent
and complete. was mysell agaia.-
During lAe evening my vile broke out
several times into snstches OF song--a
thiag quite unusual OF late. for life's sober
realities had taken the music from her as
well rs from her husband. We were
growing grayer every day. II was
pleasant TO hear her hute.like tones
again. very pleasant. and my ear heark.
ened lovingly. The cause OF this lillul
wal bling recognized each time as the
notes died away. They were responsive
to our neighbor.
/ did not then remark upon the cir
cumstances. One reason OF this lay in
the lact that had spoken lightly ol our
neighbor's whistIing propensity, which
struck me in .he beginning as Vulgar;
and did not care to acknowledge myself
SO largely his debtor as really was.
/ We were in our bed room. and about
retiring Tor the night, when loud voices,
as If iu strife. came discOrdantly through
the thin pariy.wals, from our neighbors
on tue other s:Jc. Something had gone
wrong there, aud angry passions were in
the ascendant.
"How very disagreeaUle !" remarked.
The mans brute - said my wife
empha,icaly. "He does nothing, it
seems TO me. but wranGle in his family.
Pity that he hadn't some OF the pleasant
temper of our neighbor on the other
side
That is a more agreeable sound |
must confess" was my answer. rs the
notes OF What Cairy-like Music steals
over The Sea, rose swceuy on the air.
"Far more agreeable" returned my
wife.
ale plays well on his instrument" /
said, smiling.
Ny ear was following the notes in
pleased recognition We stood listening
until our neighbor passed to another ali,
set to Mrs. llemans' beautiful words,
Come 20 the Sunset Tree" To slow,
soft, tender measure, the notes fell, still
we heard them with singular distinctness
through the intervening wall, just little
muflled, but sweeter for the obstruction.
'The lay Is past and gone,
Ihe woodman's axe lies free,
aud the rcapers work Is done
Nv wife recalled these lines from her
memory, repeating them in subdued.
tranquiliziug tone. The air was still
sounding n our ears, but we no longer
recognized impressions on the external
senses. Ii had done its work OF recalling
| lhe heaulilul Evening llymn Of the