The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-31
SALLY TROUSDALE.
A "REMINISCENCES OF MY B0YHOOD.

"A hE4uANlSCENCE OF MI BO1 HUOD
| 1t was sad farewell my first parting fror
home and friends, for it was my first an recon. t
| one who was dearer than all the world to me
the sweetheart of my boyhood, that glorious di
vinity at whose shrine we have all worshipped il
| the sunny days ere the real cares and trouble
OF life have begun. l shall never forget tina
day, for although it was nearly fifteen wears ago
have never been back to my village home, bu
memory steals quietly back to that happy time
and recalls mischievous little queen, whose ros,
cheeks and bright blue eyes Lad carried destruc
ton to the peace Of mind Of many an embryo
| hero involved in the intricate mathematical com
pllcations OF the multiplication table for we were
scholars together at the little village school.
was leaving F. for the first tine, and was
| about to pass the threshold of the great big out
side world and enter upon the battle Of life-jus
as many another youth has done. but in my case
thought then that l was an exception, for il
seemed to me that destiny had marked me 70,
great deeds, and the future had nothing but re-
wards and successes in store for me. The village
school had given me some store Of ideas, and tor
some time had been arranging to take I'D nv
residence III the big city of G.. and seek my
fortune: and what wonder, that just upon the
verge Of manhood, in the first flush Of joyous in
dependence. | should suddenly realize that Sallie
Trousdale was dearer to me than all the world
beside? for she had been my sweetheart at the
country school, the belle OF the village and it had
been my glorious privilege to escort her to and
from Sunday school and church regularly. to the
great envy and annoyance of my chums who
less favored, could not conceal their disappoint-
ment.
It was a sad parting from the happy scenes of
boyhoOd's sunny hours, and the little hand Law
c.lasped i'll mine, while the glorious halftearful
blue eyes looked wistfullv at me as she trem-
blingly lisped the goodbye! God bless you
In that moment there dawned upon me the
first symptoms Of ambitions blight, those de-
lghtful lmpossibllities of the future pleasant
visions Of wonderful and heroic success in
numerous fields Of enterprise, and | thought
proudly OF what sensation would be created
in the village when | should return victorious
from some particular career Il knew not WHAT
and make Sally my wife.
Well that was in the years long long ago. and
have never yet returned to the village for the
world has used good-natured fellow pretty
roughly, and no mistake, and here am plodding
along through the world ike many another unfor-
demolished, all my glorious day dr. ans dspelled
by the bitter realities of the daily struggle Of
life, and revelinS, if I may use the word, in all
the peculiar enjoyments Of crusty old bachelor
hood
Long before had reached my destination the
parting was almost forgotten in the
contemplation OF new scenes; but every now and
then, despite my resolution, the image of Sally
would come before me SO reproachfuy that
could not repress the first symptoms of that
"
irst keen realization Of my position and the re-
lection that was now dependent entirely upon
my own resources, came a natural pride aed A |
,alm determination to 20 into the world bravely
md conquer every obstacle.
C. was indeed great city, and was not long
n finding out that however important person |
lge might be in my village Ehsme | was but an
insignificant atom in the great metropOlis-but |
lever forget my home and its early teachings
md after al IT ID just such links these that
Ia Al, r.
les of society. However distant we may be |
rom home and the ties of kin red, there comes |
o us all at times, the memory of them, and |
hough we may be drifting about among strang-
re. we are conscious that there is bright spot |
N earth for us and We are made happier and bet
or by the reelection. These thoug hts came to
ne often in my early experience at c.. l was
aughed at for my country ways, and the unfash-
enable cut of my apparel, and | was twitt d
bout my being so green" but took it all good
nd energy which soon made themselves felt,
nd little by little step by step, became almost
nc onsciously thorough city man.
| had not been long in c. when the first
tile mlseive in all its wealth OF tinted paper
anne from Sally. 1t was half bashful hest
iting sort of letter, but was full of village
ews and finally closed with the avowal of her
ndying devotion. wrote back to say how lone
ome was in the big city, aad how longed to be
gain at F--, and go with her to the tile Sun
terable affection, and, realizing my in portance,
volunteered some good advice, which she was
lankful for and would follow, so she wrote
lie. and Indeed for long time our correspond
ice continued, and meantime it seemed TO me
rat the world was all uphill and my progress
cry slow.
Thus matters went along. until one dav late
the autumn when there came & letter to me
ON an old friend at F, as follows:
F, October O. 1885,
UCl3' .jtL1-NOU N AL better for,a homo NJ a,,.
Your friend, Ben ArrERSOn. u
Ben Patterson was one Of those peculiar social
lomalies to be found only in Western towns and
llageS lie was the village shoemaker, one OF !
e best hearted fellows IN tile word, known and
ied byal, and the confident Of every one. old /.
I'd young, III the country round. He had ALWAYS .
Town great liking for me. and was an ardent l
vocate OF my merits to Sally, FOR whom he also . .
tertained the greatest admiration. and when :
lt home he had promised 10 look after nv inter =
IS and warn me Of any danger that might arise !
hat then could the letter mean? Had Sally !
owed falthless was she dead oh no, nv .
md was torn with conflicting emotions but :
go to F 1 could not. 1t was a long journey :
d would involve some time and considerable I
pense, which could not ford. r
His letter convinced me that some trouble was .
store Tor NE, but wrote promptly TO say that u
'ould not come. l went about my work with o
leyous burden upon my mind, for there was =
Instant iorbodng of i'll /: but l resolved to wait =
hentlF Tor further news from Ben which would ID
plain all The next day, however. came let
from my cousin at F, and | instantly d. @,
led that her letter would remove the mystery. NJ
fas not mistaken. II was as follows h
F. October 10th, 1S5-. Il
Dear Cousin JHHy We al think YOU are real i,
AN for not havin. written to us oftener since i
/ have gone to C, but perhaps you will find r.
now, that YOU have he elected YOU real friends m
one who doesn't deserve any of Your thoughts O.
single moment. y,