The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-01-27
FoeEsr SCENES aNS nsvsnrEs.


FOREST SCENES ANb hENEHiEs.
NO. l.
scINE uPoN AN ADIRONDACK LAKE. =
II is evening; all is skylight and
starlight overhead. No sound is heard
save the lappISg Of the waters upon
the shore, and the duh, mumbling
rustic from the tree.tops overhead.
Upon little knoll close to the steep
bank, and securely sheltered by thick
cluster Of the noble spruce. are flick
efiss the now expiring flames of a
camp fire. Dimly outlined in the red,
waning light, is the form of young,
tall aud dark-haired man standing
erect, but motioDless, close to the
burning embers and gazing steadily
aud pensiyely down upon the cleaning
Goals. Yet his thoughts are not found
where his eyes are. They are being
carried back in gentle stages, through
the whole course Of his life. Without
an effort or a call upon his part, every
act, every scene passed. in review be-
fore him "How str ange! Is this
real? Are these scenes true which
now see pictured before me ? If real
how is it that my past seems to have
been ordained TO my every wish and
want? oh God Thou hast been too
good to me have not deserved all
this; nor have | thanked Thee for it as
| ougAh. Yet this i know, that amid
all ny nissteps ] have ever had Thy
wile--not nine, in view And if Thou
hast granted me wealth and honor, it
is because Thou hast made it the de.
served reward of temperance aud in
tegrity" He lifts his eyes. For a
moment their glance rests upon the
Ieafy walls OF underground around him
then darts into the dense shades OF
the forest--until from its dark folds, he
imagines some wild demon springing
towards him. Conscious of his folly
and awakening from his listlessness
he steps lightly and gracefully-as
though score of eyes were fixed up
on him--down the winding path of the
bank to where his canoe is drawn well
up upon the pebbly shore. STOPPING
over he picks up from its bottom the
little drinking cup, and dipping it to
the brim in the sureing waters at his
feet, quenches his thirst and drops it
back into its accuston ed place.
How soothing to his brow the breeze
upon that June evening 10th to
leave the scene, he sweeps in the view
around him. Before him--to his right
and to his left--stretches the level ex
panse OF ripping waters, circled to
their very brim by one continuous
band Of gigantic fir trees that fringe
the edges Of the grey old woods. I'm
der the lee Of the opposite shore, he
sees the stars reflected in their full
splendor below him. While away on
ahead and above him are the dimmed
outlines Of the mountains that perpetu-
ally wash their feet in the clear waters
that are now sullenly murmuring at
his own! Yet how gloomy, how ter
ribly gloomy these waters now. They
are not the waters that be gaily rode
over few hours before Night has
transformed them; and with shudder
he turns away to his couch and bis
camp fire. But, as he enters the folds
Of his tent, and before be stretches
himself for his needed repose, he bends
over form by his side. Lifting the
thin network that keeps away the flies
aud the mosquitoes a young, fresh
and a healthful face is exposed to view.
For long time he stands silently
gazing down upon the enchanting
scene before him. He sees the steady |
pulse beating strong against the
temples, the loosened hair flung care
lessly back, the tiny ear almost hidden
in the deepening shadows, the rounded /
ctin that seems TO him perfect in itself,
and last but not least, the tempting
lips that have 90 often driven dull care
from bis mind. Bending still closer,
until be feels the warm breath upon /
bis cheek, be presses those lips with 1
bis own. He has kissed them--kissed /
them warmly and fervidly, yet they
know il not and never will. Dream
on be viii not awake you. Sleep on
---on--until the morning san shall arch
its way overhead. penetrating the thin
coverings and sending Dew thrills Of
life through The frame.
Oh God what will be tkat morningg
LuE-t the free air--the noble impulse,
will attend a. II is outlined 10 my
mind 10 all its glories And although
the clocks of the city loag ago struck
for midnight. yet see thai uorning
sun As il gianees its beans scFoea the
waters Of that Adirondack lake.