The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-12-15

As Wilbur alighted, the General grasp
ed his hand exclaiming, ''Pve missed you
sorely to-day have waited around her,
ell the afternoon thinking you nigh
return BY IN earlier train. Tn forlOrI
old nian--no one to care for me- al
alOneall alone.
Wilbur surmising the difficulty threw
down bis leg, and pulling off his buster
said: We shall not have time before
supper 10 walk 70 the garden, bat IL
have che black mare hilehed. and drive
/ ron DORA, a glass Of cool lager from
the fresh tap will wash the cinders from
1aT throat, and bring you round-eh,
i 9aneRaHfR
A capisa1 idea, Twill call Betty and
slek Der follow thamAeon, for the old girls
! thirsty, I'll be bound
In the course Of few moments the two
were sitting In the garden, the General
/ quite himself again. By the way,
said he, TEs compesed some lines to-day
/ which I'll letSoa have this evening, when,
Of course, You'll stroll down here with
mel want T. consult you about thai
eodlciI I've prepared for my VIII. II shall
send Ton my lawyer - soOnaaseI fix IL 10
my satisfaction. You are to have nest
little pile Of the metal that makes the
horse 60, and I've concluded that yon,
Of all others, win best appreciate the
contents of my bookcase and my literary
efefts. May never minds whea alter
my will She'll have enough and TO
spare secure of all my heqnests. That's
rare girl, Wilbur. But she's only a
gifl-moFe's the pity" sd e 4 e
The inmates of the farmhouse, as they
we're gathered around the tea-table that
night, were Caspar Vanderhofen, his
wife, their daughter, Gretchen, the Gen
eral and Martin Wilbur. The host was
awsll-to-do farmer, possessing all the
characteristics of the Jersey Dutchman.
Mrs. Vanderhoffen wasa patient, mother
ly Womans ever ready with q gentle word
and sweet smile. Gretchen Wander
hofaen, q young lady of eighteen, was =
large-framed, fnely-formed girl, who had
been educated away from home; being
aware that some day she would be mis-
tress of Willow Farm, as the homestead
was called, she paraded more fine lady
airs than were becoming when her mother
worked so industrionsly. Miss Gretchen
was determined to marry some one who
would give her city home She was
consequently trying hard to entangle
Martin Wilbur, or the son of a rich
neighbor who -wintered in New York.
Wilbur chose the society of the General,
but Mr.. Andrew Barton was a frequent
visitor; whether it was to play croquet
on court Miss Gretchen that he so often
came to Willow Farm no one seemed able
to discover.
s'I shall leave you for, a few days to-
morrow, Mrs. Vanderhoffen, to fetch my
granddaughter spoke the General
'tShe'll be glad to be released from
school bondage, and have her freedom
here. Wilbur, how would you like to
take q run to R, with me ?"
Impossible, SIR, this week. have
business which will prevent" Wilbur
thought to himself. ssNo lack-a-daisical
school girls for me, smelling of bread
and butter, and nibbling slate pencils.
I like the softer sex, bot they must be first
fnmigated from the school-room."
"What a charming companion for
me-" put in Miss Gretchen. 1--WE can
then play partners at cro4uet with Mr..
Wilbur and Mr.. Barton. OF course she !
plays croquet, General 2"
Like all the girls, she can play where
there's Embellishments, hearts, or
tricks. They learn the games, I'll be
bound. Ha, ha, ha!"
Zone must rise AirIie to beat the Cen |
eral at pun, said Wilbur.
yes, where there are Muffs and Boo.
bies," sharply added Miss Gretchen.
II finch" replied Martin Wilbur. |
''Come, Miss Gretchen, let's have a
little sing-after which I'm at your SER
vice, General"
That evening, when Gen. Airlie and
Wilbur were again comfortably settled |
in the garden, ard had conYersed until |
nearly midnight, the former, having par
taken freely of his favorite beverage, |
said: tNow, Wilbur, let me know about
that love affair which you say diSturbs
you. A man like you should not be
long engaged. You'll be breaking some
hearts in this neighborhood before you
know it,"
''Don't call it love affair, General, |
I've never been in love-" said Wilbur,
knocking the ashes from his pipe. cit
was a mere accident that / offered my
self, and begin to believe my faicee has
forgotten me- It's three months since
she's written line. Excuse me tonight,
I'll tell you all about how was booked
when I'm more in the humor. Let's
have your verses, cir; enough of wine
and women Now for the song. ~
The old man finished his glass of beer
and recited in solemn tones these lines
Do what We wil-yea. what We ram
Thy path j. rugged stiil,-U man!
Thy heart in storm and tempest whirled,
Mid bitter taunts of careless world
Thy Treasures. seeming past and gone;
Yea, homeless. cherries, sal and lone.
Still. if one heart 10 thee doth cling.
Thy sorrow will at times take wing,
As heavenly visions of the past
As fairy dreams too sweet 10 last
AS flashing transient meteor star,
In Pickering, heecy clouds afar-
As quivering sunbeams Ger the spray
Thy days of gladness flee away;
While memories dear thy heart doth thrill,
sweet glimpse Of joy may cheer thee still.
The tenure of thy days how slight
Existence naught bat weary fight
Uncertain future, dark and drear!
Soul thrilling. poised 'twixt hope aud fear,
Doth vibrate on from day Co day
Nor light, nor mark 10 point the Way;
Thy trials sore are surely given
Thy soul TO draw from earth to heaven.
This finished, the General wiped his
eyes, and rousing Betty, who tried to
stretch her legs, but rolled over in the
attempt, the three started for home, the
old man remarking: 81 must get to bed
early tonight, as / leave in the first train
tomorrow morning.
CHAPTER III.
During the days intervening between
the Generals absence and return, Martin
Wilbar's reyeries over his cigar were