The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-12
Old AbePs Experience.

we'll, We nauSnt 10 say
Most Young folks (sud some Of the old ones)
4eem to incline that way.
But I've always liked you, Joseph you We
been very kind to me,
And to know you're coming to trouble, why, it
make me sorry, you see.
There now, Joseph, you're angry; twas fool
ish in me, no doubt;
didn't mean to say it, but somehow the words
slipped ont.
You'll have to forgive me, Joseph; you know
I'm silly and old.
Shake hands and I'll tell you story that has
never yet been told
And perhaps when my story's ended, you'll
be ready, my friend, to say:
"Old Abel had very good ressonfo for his doubts
and fears to-day.
was sixty-fiye last birthday-Im gray and
w1inkled, 'tis true;
But forty years ago. Joseph, was young and
as spry as you,
And AMY said was handsome-how proud it
made me them
Not the praise, but the thought that Amy pre-
ferred me to other men.
She wac little beauty, sweet and dlmpled
and fair;
You never saw such mouth, Joseph, nor such
brown eyes and hair.
And she had such ccaxing way, TOO, that
I was fool, know,
And I'm hardly cured Of my folly, though it's
forty years ago.
Amy and were playmstes we won't to school
together;
carried her books and her basket through
summer or winter weather.
Later, at huskipg frolcs, at quilting or apple
bee, . go.
Twas always her chosen sweetheart, and that
was bliss for me.
Time and thoughts and service gladly to her I
gave;
She was my queen,sn idol was her willing
slave.
And 30, when she was twenty, and I was
twenty-five
We we're married: I thought that was the
happiest man alive.
fairly cried when the parson pronounced us
man and wife,
For naQn T l won Tue duSet peon "oAoaiE-
ing all my life?
Well, the wedding was fairly over, and I
thought to settle down;
I'd built and furnished a cottage as pretty as
any in town.
Whatever knew she fancied, couldn't rest
till bought,
30 in trying to please my darling spent far
more than ought
But when she smiled, and called me " dear
Abel" and praised my taste,
What did care if the neighbors talked OF folly
and waste?
For q little while I was happy; too soon I was
forced to see
That Amy could be peglectful, and even cruel
to me.
When sometimes I hinted gently that the
house wasn't very neat,
Or left the food untasted that was scarcely TT
She'd answer me 30 harshly, and say such cut
ting things,
They gave me many heartache: ali! words
sjhsye terrible stings!
At last saw it plainly-her life too dull had
grown;
She Was tired Of her homely duties-tired of
seeing me alone.
Ivss always content and happy just at er
side to be,
But she-snd that was bitter-found some
thing wanting in me.
It's too lol,g a story, Joseph, to tell you how
strove
To please and interest Amy, and to keep hel
fading love;
My farm was left untended, my stock to ruin
went,
While we journeyed about and idled, till my
little fortune was spent;
Then back We went to our cottage-it never
had been home;
1t could only grow more cheerless in the weary
years to come
Weary and drearyI found them, till grew tc
hate my life,
And think hard thoughts Of all women, be-
cause was grieved in my wife.
One dsy-can 1 ever forge. it?-we'd been
married just seven years
Iwent out as usual wretched, leaving Amy in
angry tears.
As walked found myself praying that God
would send help to me,
Never thinking-ob, never thiDking-of what
the answer might be!
Before that day was over stood by Amy's bed,
And saw her peaceful and smiling and beautiful
yes, an6-desd!
Ihad said nv love was over, but then knew
I was wrong;
Knew when 1 kissed her, my darling I'd been
loving her all along;
Knew when looked at the baby, laid on her
arm to rest,
That my heart was dead within me, and I'd
only stone in my breast.
Well, there's little more to tell you. couldn't
bear to stay
In the house had built for Amy;I sold it
and moved away.
Where to 20 next knew not-sll places were
muJh the same
Till my nephew wrote and babe me come here,
and so came.
Since then I've hardly noticed how the lonely
years went on.
I've had chances for making money, but my
energy seemed gone
Besides, wanted go little, and why should I
toll and save
When she who should have spent it rests in
her quiet grave?
Soy-u see its natural, Joseph, that should
have doubts and fears,
When think Of my disappointment, and all
my lonely years
And yet-1've often thought it-if 1 was
twenty-five,
And had my life all before me, and Amy once
more alive,
I'd marry her-never doubt tan love Q,
yes, all the same;
So, after all is ssd Joseph, you're not so
much to blame.
-Harpers.
An AfrectiOnate Husband.
The wife of a villager in Pootou, Ire
land, after protracted illness, fell into
q state of coma, and was believed to he
dead. AS is usual among the very poor