Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-12-09
GROUND TRIP.


late that some people take trips, then
write; others take papers. then read.
The country makes history; it confu-
ses us. Recent history almost runs us
crazy. Last Wednesday morning I
broke the tension. Addie Gritfey and
I went to Long Branch" Nay, sir.
not the worldwide and God forgotten,
but quiet little stream meandering
between this and Lafayette, KY. On
its quiet shore dwelt one who. for dis
interestedness and self-denial in peace
aud in war. has been almost without
parallel. Blessing the bereaved. bear
ing for the burdened, sanity to the
suffering, sunshine in shadow, and
tearfully tender, she had ministered to
all around.
Porter presented the papers, and the
preacher pronounced. Those whom
God hath joined together let no man
put asunder." I named her 1onamie
Long Porter. Strong and silken be
the bonds that bind the happy pair
Now a sad scene: The arm on which
a widowed mother and fatherless sis
ters had leaned in security and love
for years, was about to bring to its
embrace another in a still more en-
dearing relationship. The heart that
had beat SO sympathetically with, and
afforded such loving asylum to them
had found room for another trusting
spirit. The sobs that went out upon
the air told plainly of the solicitude
we left behind as we wheeled away for
Hopkinsville.
At 4 p. M, Wednesday evening, we
Miss Addie, Dora and myself-were
happily at home in the coy cottage of
Capt. Tom Mallory. Not my Tom
Mallory of Adams Station, and yet
not altogether unlike him. Thursday
morning at 6 o'clock Tennessee and
Kentucky Joined hands, and Clay
Long put the browning jewel in his
casket of love, and l named her VII
lie Mallory Long. 1t is hard for a
strong, self-reliant man to give away
in holy wedlock a young, tender and
motherless child; but when he does
he can find no safer guardian than him
the habit of whose life has been to be-
stow his chiefest care and gallantry on
the loved ones at home. Heavens |
blessings upon them!
Soon after the ceremony an event |
transpired long since predicted. Twas
carried to the asylum" This insti-
tuition admits lunatics, but not idiots,
and [ only remained one hour. While |
there | gazed and was gazed at | met
DIR. Rodman, superintendent of the In
stitution. He is a marvel of gentility, |
learning and energy. DIR. Stone, the
coming man of the Institution, took
great pains to give US information and |
show US the sights. Public and pri-
vate charities fill their respective
missions. To these poor unfortunates
an accompanying God bless you"
would be no additional comfort. To
many. however, the burning words of
sympathy and brotherhood as far
eclipse the material aid afforded as
the oak eclipses the acorn from which
it grows.
The commonwealth of Kentucky
has heart to feel. Three asylums,
with more than a thousand inmates
from her unfortunate citizens, fully
attest this truth. They were not all
Gadarenes if tLey were, and their
evil spirits disposed of as in the olden
time, leading article in the provision
market, already high, would be beyond
a poor Kentuckian's reach. And yet,
as | stood in their midst | thought
that if Jesus Of Nazareth were to walk
through these spacious wards and
send them home with sound minds to
tell their families and friends what
the Lord had done for them, Christ
mas Evans would have to invoke all
the angels of heaven to aid in describ-
ing the scene of joy.
But must get out of the asylum.
Snow fakes are poor spectacles unless
/ could adjust them as did the gifted
Faxon, then | might see sights beauti-
full beyond description. Hence [ saw
but little of Hopkinsville. l got
peep at the county court clerk and
some of your ink-slinging brethren.
Then Bessie, with head for home,
wheeled us away gleefully, while Ad-
die and Dora sent Sunday-school songs
out upon breezes that warbled them
like the vo1 humane of sweet toned |
organ.
Frank aud Hattie Buckner took US
out of the cold in Samaritan ,oGy,
warmed US, fed us, fortified US against
wind and weather, and sent US on af-
ter godly sort. Live forever noble |