The Van Buren press., 1876-02-22
MISCELLANY.
For tie Van Bsr4s Press.
The Lessons of the Beloved Swan
nena to her over Bernardo.
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Ii.
Some days after had seen Swannens
last, a servant came to my room, bear.
ing basket, and handed me note re.
questing me to accept the contents of the
basket, in which was some choice fruit
and bouquet Of flowers, to which was
attached slip Of paper, on which was
written "Swannena Lichmann to Benar.
do Schumbein ! returned note, say.
ing that hoped business would soon re
lease me to her society. The frni,
was delicious. The lowers brought with
them tale OF love! These flowers These
beautions flowers, were selected, arrang
ed. fashioned, by her own hand | pre-
served them as long as care could keeI
them bright; but wther they would Yet
sweet odors exhaled. when they were
withered and gone! An exempl6cation
that even the sweetest life. must how to
the universal demand of death! over
these thoughts pensively reflected that
tho beauty and fragrance have passed
from my flowers, memory OF their loved
relations to the donor will last while |
have knowledge Of myself!
The happy moment came when l WAS
on my way where joys had most awaited
me AS approached the house, heard
the melody ota voice mingled with the
tones OF guitar. The sweetness Of this
music moved me to tears. As approach
ed the doer, tried to suppress my emo.
tion, and hide my tears. As l walked
gently in the hall, where could see in
the parlor, there sat Swannena, the tones
Of whose voice and those of the instru-
ment mingled as il from the depths Of
one soul. Her lovely form and angelic
face appeared to shed a holy radiance, as
she poured herself out in music. as a
Hbstion before the throne OF the
Eternal One tried to suppress my e.
motion and tears in vain! Soon holy
fame possessed mel felt to weep was
joy! bowed my head, while tears of
humility and thankfulness streaned from
my eyes! She observed me-she left her
instrument and ran to meas she placed
her hand in mine, she said, i" am yours
Benardo! | never had doubted her sin
cerite Il moment in life, yet, all the em-
pclllBUIgeHlS WIN uIRC COllIQ
he dressed would not have been more in.
spring aad exalting thaH this short sen
tence, uttered when our Souls we're drawn
in communion with the holy presence! +!
Ny darling had been weeping when she
had been pouring forth her soul in the
melody OF d. .votional,masic. :" o." said
The thought tnaie;l aielA Nm. w the vioissituaes
of this life, so short aud Of certain end,
l must he separated SO FAR and for years
from you, is depressing me soreIy o.!
l was drawing myself near the source Of
all Power, for assistance to strengthen
me to submit to what duty demands
When came, Swannena, and saw you
in the radiance OF the light of holy love,
1t brings to me scene that transpired in
my history, of which never have given
you All account, that made an indelible
impression for good, on the conduct Of
my life. During my struggle, in early
youth, in the years Of my absence from
you, had some little means which
thought would benefit me most by spend
ing it in the acquisition of knowledge
To this end, visited a college in pretty
city. on the banks of little river, form
crly called Sewana Before l entered
college, | traversed the city. to see what
was displayed in the most attractive parts
There. among the throngs of humanity,
l felt companionless. One evening,
walking up the river, above the city, in a
cedar grove, reached the stream where
1t makes deep cut-I seated myself a
mong rugged heaps of messy lime stones,
on the brink, and looked on the current
OF rapid waters far below. Ny loneliness
the stiffness, the sombfe shades OF the
evergrecns about me, the declining sun,
and the rushing waters below, all tended
to favor my falling into reverie. l was
soon lost to the surroundings. in thick
coming thoughts finally, the prospects
became hazy, IS If dewy vapors had been
ceived something approaching me from
the mist; as it became plainer and plain.
er, could see sylphlike angelic form
Of lady, wearing smile like some sweet
enchantmen1 A looked on with atten
tive gaze. could see the lineaments of o
thoughtful brow. To my astonishment
my own darling Developed into life al
lovely as ever ! had seen you. with tha,
familiar smile, there is no mis,aking. l
was overpowered with delight at meet
ing So unexpected. She said, Bernardo
yearn for your safety in your inexpe
rence-this city has many snares for tht
unsuspecting-may the spirit Of caution
and circumspeetion guard and guide you
Then this sweet visitor vanished into tn,
thick vapors Grief shocked me at tn,
summary disappearance of her l love-
then came to realize that had beer
asleep. and dreaming, reflected tha
you we're ever thoughtful Of my welfare
and that your spirit would willingly hov
er about me 50, the more for your sake
would ever be thoughtful not to dishon
or the name you love just now, wher
came in and found you, it was agar
the countenance Of the sylph before me
To continue the narration of my visit to
the city--l arose from my seat where
had had the precious dream, and slowly
and thoughttully returned to my room
not far from the college. Soon, | enter
ed the halls OF learning, and began to
reap the rewards of applica tion. l hat
much reason to be attached to its Profes
sors; who were eight in lumber Three
of these were members of Christian
churches They we're all deep and sci
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