Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-11

purpose to consecrate to all manner OF re-
fined and innocent enjoyments. There
they would hold pleasant intercourse with
one another, and the circle of their famil.
lar friends; there they would give festivals
Of delicious fruit there they would hear
lightsome music, intermipgled with the
strains of pathos which JOY more sweet
there they would read poetry and fiction.
and permit their own minds TO Hit away III
day-dreams and romance; there in short,
for why should we shape out the vague
sunshine of their hopes ?-there all pure
delights were to cluster like roses among
The pillars of the edifice, and blossom ever
new and spontaneously. So, one breezy
and cloudless afternoon, Adam Forester
and Lilias Fay set out upon ramble over
the wide estate which they were to possess
together seeking proper site for their
Temple of Happiness. They were them
selves fair and happy spectecle, fit priest
and pricstess for such a shine; although,
making poetry of the pretty name OF
Liias, Adam Forester was wont to call
Lilly, because her form was as fragile, and
her cheek almost as pale.
As they passed. hand in hand, down the
avenue of dropping elms that led from the
portal of Lilias Fay's paternal mansion
they seemed to glance like winged Great
ures through the strips OF sunshine, and te
scatter brightness where the deep shadows
fell. But, setting forth at the same time
with this youthful pair, there was disma
figure, wrapped in velvet cloak that
might have been made Of a coffin pail
and with sombre hat, such as mourners
wear, dropping its broad brim over his
heavy brows. CHANGING behind them. the
lovers well knew who it was that followed.
but wished from their hearts that he had
been elsewhere, as being companion SO
strangely unsuited to their joyous errand.
1t was near relative OF Lilias Fay, an
old man by the name of Waiter Gascoigne,
who had long labored under the burden OF
melancholy spirit, which was sometimes
maddened into absolute insanity. and al
WAYS had tinge of it. What q contrast
between the young pilgrims of bliss and
their unbidden associate They looked as
if moulded of Heavens sunshine, and he
of earth's gloomiest shade they fitted
in hand through life while his darksome
figure stalked behind, type of all the
woful influences which lille could fling up-
on them But the three had not gone far,
when they reached spot that pleased the
= "What sweeter place shall we find than
this ?" said she. "Why should we seek
farther for the site of our Temple ?''
1t was indeed delightful spot of earth,
though undistinguished by any very prom
inent beauties, being merely nook in the
shelter of hill, with the prospect of dis
tant lake in one direction. and of church
spire in another. There were vstas and
pathways, leading onward and onward in
to the green woodlands, and vanishing
away in the glimmering shade. The Tenn.
pie, If erected here. would look towards
the west, so that the lovers could shape
all sorts of magnificent dreams out of the
purple. violet, and gold of the sunset sky
and few of their anticipated pleasures
were dearer than this sport of fantasy
YES" said Adam Forester, 1--WE might
seek all day, and find no lovelier spot.
We will build our Temple here
But their sad old companion, who had
taken his stand on the very site which
they proposed to cover with marble
floor, shook his head and frowned; and
the young man and the Lily deemed it al
most enough to blight the spot, and des-
ecrate it Tor their airy Temple, that his
dismal figure had thrown It's shadow there
He pointed to some scattered stones, the
remnants OF former structure, and to
flowers such as young girls delight to
nurse In their gardens, but which had now
relapsed into the wild simplicity of ma
ture.
mot herer' cried old Walter Gascoigne.
"Here, long ago. other mortals built their
Temple of Happiness. Seek another site
for yours :"
"What exclaimed Lilias Fay. "Have
any ever planned such Temple. save
ourselves?'
Poor child r said her gloomy kins-
man. sin one shape or other, every NOR
tai has dreamed your DREAM
Then he told the lovers. how-not, in
deed, an antique Temple--but a dwelling
had once once stood there, and that
dark-clad guest had dwelt among its in
mates, sitting forever at the freside, and
poisoning all their household mrth. I'm
der this type, Adam Forester aud Llias
say that the old man spake of sorrow.
He told of nothing that might not be re-
corded in the history of almost every
household; and yet his learners felt as if
no sunshine ought to fall upon a spot
where human grief had left so deep
stain; or, at least, that no joyous Temple
should be built there.
"Ihls Is very sad" said the Lily, sigh
Ing.
well. there are lovlier spots than this,
said Adam Forester. soothingly,- "spots
which sorrow has not blightedn
So they fastened away, and the melan.
choly Gascoigne followed them, looking
as ii he had gathered up all the gloom OF
the deserted spot, and was bearing it as a
burden of inestimabe treasure But still
they rambled on. and soon found Them
selves in rocky dell, through the midst
OF which ran streamlet, with ripple, and
foam, and continual voice of inarticulate
Joy. 1t was wild retreat, walled on
either side with gray precipices, which
would have frowned somewhat too stern
ly. had not profusion OF green shrubbery
rooted itself into their crevices, and
wreathed gladstone foliage around their
solemn brows. But the chief joy of the
dell was in the little stream, which seemed
like the presence of Il blissful child. with
nothing earthly to do save to babble mer-
rily and disport itself. and make every
living soul its playfellow. and throw the
sunny CLEANS of its spirit upon ALL