The Van Buren press., 1876-02-15

reach him, and let him know that l am
listening for his rap at my door and
how l would be delighted to greet him,
and welcome him from the storm! Come
let us tarry no longer, my parents will
think long OF my absence"
We delightedly turned to traverse the
wood to the house. When we reached
the door, the parents met us, and eyinced
pleasure in welcoming me home. My Joy
was complete as mortal existence would
allow. My emotion was great, my
thoughts came rushing in torrents, and
my voice gave utterance to them. Yet l
would have restrained myself, and put
on an air Of reserve, because thought 1t
more becoming, and BY which would be
more able to guard myself from mis-
takes. But, In spite Of myself, my Ian
guage flowed, ~ it appeared 70 me, Anto
matically. To the many questions put
to me BY different members Of the family,
| replied in the same voluble way u
watched the countenance OF Swannena.
| by which thought could discover il
she should detect any inaccuraey in my
expressions All countenances were
lighted up with pleasantness, and the mo-
ments. unheeded, glided into hours, and
time passed sweetly away.
1t Is not surprising that 1 should be
moved by such delightful emotions, when
had come to realize my fondest hopes,
after years Of trials and privatidns, away
from the object that most engaged my
thoughts-butto see those who had never
known want, or lacked opportunity for
cultivation, sympathising with me, was
what could not well understand. That
Swannena should be devoted to me,
could readily appreciate, since we had
been one in mutual regard from early
childhood. Never, in life. had my eyes
met hers. that could not read there of
the silken ties Of the tenderest attach.
ment Her home was often the place Of
most cheerful reunions, when the young
people filled up the precious moments in
conversation, music, both vocal and in
strumental; and other festivities calcula
TED to refresh the feelings, and cultivate
the social qualities. Many times par
tcipated in these gaictics, much to my
advantage, think, in many respects, es-
pecially in relieving the mind, and giving
vivacity to the spirits. These were de-
| lightfui dayssl spent here, the most prcc
ions moments Of which memory has kept
record, were those spent with Swan
nena alone.
| Wherever our excursions led US, whcth-
er over mountain .crags, through shady
vallies, among the tangled wildwood, or
along some murmHring stream, she found
.ntn - har f.r Ia nd
Among the arid rocks that make
rugged, lofty mountain peaks, there she
has made the scene doHbiy Interesting,
not only on account or the language Of
the stones, themselves, but from her OBJ
servations on the MOSES and lichcns
that adhere 10, and chiscl away, by dis
integration, the rocks that have braved
the storms Of ages Under the cover Of
the jutting cliffs, she seeks tho insect in
its transformation state, snngly enyelop-
ed in it's webbed nest, in which she secs
beauties never dreamed of by those who
comprehend not that there ia interest In
everything when understood. She gath
cred flowers from field and wood, not
only for their beauty and fragrance, but
to look into their structure and the rich
ness OF the phenomena Of their fertiliza
ton. She selected shells. from land and
water, not only for the nacre that delights
the sight, but to trace out the nature Of
this link in animal existence. When she
returned from he rexcursions, from her
sachel, she spread out on table her Sc
lections, from whatever source, and sub
ject them to the revelations Of the mi
croscope. Thus it is that nature is ever
the volume from which she drew lessons
for the explanation Of which was the
willing recipient,
The father took interest in the progress
had made at school, and pleasantly con-
verscd with me on the subjects Of the
studies l had pursued He gave me some
examples in mcnsuration to solve, which,
fortunately for my own pride, readily
did. AS he had invited me to the subject,
took occasion to demonstrate to him
some of the simpler propositions IN Eu
cid. l saw him take o furtivc glance to-
ward his wife, with smile, as il to say
that's we'll done. did not feel that l
had made much progress in studies. vet
l was pleased to find what l had made,
appreciated.
AS this precious time was passing. !
bad been IN turing the idea OF going
Though regular educational course at a
university. When 4 had fally matured
my plan, l impaired the fact to my Swau.
nena. She said, while she approved o.
my plan, she would experience much sad
ness to have to part with me again; and
for so long a time, because it would re
quire several years to master what pro
posed to accomplish. l said to her,
my dearest one, my absence from you
cuts short my earthly felicity, but it is
due to you that be cultivated as far as
in me lies. so that may be fit compan.
ion for you, and be able to appreciate ard
enjoy the fruits of your ripening intel
| lect.
My bosom heaved with sorrowfu emo
tion when ! oeheld her sparkling eyes be-
dimmed with tears, as she said in sub
dued tone;
Tho the span of life so short, would
make us tore2o present pleasure for
ulteror good, religion and morality teach
US lessons of self denial, to the end that
we may enjoy the fruition of more use
fn and elevated existence"
l am proud to hear you speak of relig-