The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-11-13
TEN YEARS AGO.
BY JoASN d. WHITE.

Ten years ago, business called me to
town which We will call Exmcuth. was
s,aying with on old college friend; and
as we talked over, our college pranks
and the friends of those days, asked
"What has become of Fred Hender.
son /? lie used to be wild boy in days
Of yorc.'
"Oh," answered my friend, whose
uamo was Harper; "Fred has settled
down, aad owns a house, mica little
wife aud three pretty children"
gave prolonged whistle. then
said
"Pray how long since he treated
himself to tender babies and hel2meet
dear ?"
lie has been married three years,
and Las twins two years old and fine
boy of six or seven mouths. But you
must 90 and see them"
Next evening We went to make our
visit, and Us We drew near Fred's home,
| thought had never seen prettirr
picture. 1t gave my bachelor heart a
Slight twiugc ofjealousy.
The house was in the outskirts OF
the town-a cottage set back from the
st, Get, with garden in front, aud a
broad walk heading 10 the entrance.
There was a porch, evererown with
hone ysuckle and clemat;s. In the walk
was standing Henderson, with Growing
baby in his arms, who was pulling his
fathers hair and whiskers. aud appear
cd to be in high glee. Ey his side
was standing little maiden with both
arus claspe1 around one of her ia
theirs knees, looking up at him with
large brown eyes full of love. At
the step Of the porch. like picture
framed in flowers, sat the mother, watch
ing the group with loving looks, her
arm passed around the other twin, who
stood by her side, now aud then ratting
her mothers face, or smothering her
with kisses.
We stood there unobscrved specta-
tors for some moments, and then ad-
vanced. As soon as Henderson saw us
he came forward with ou!stretched
hand, and hearty welcome in face and
voice, as he exclaimed,-
"Halloa, Tom! Where in the world
did you drop from?"
After warm hand shake, he looked
down on his two little ones, and asked
ifI haL any incumbrancfs,' and his
laugh was very proud and happy one
as he led US 10 his pretty wife, whom
he called his Lilly" with her little
Rose" clinging to her.
BY and by the mother CARRIED of
her little ones, and VIC three old friends
were left walking about the garden and
premises, where everything was the
picture Of neatpess. Presently Fred
invited us into the house, and, when
there, told his wife to get us some re-
freshments, which she did, bringing
cake, and delicious fruits from their
own garden; while Henderson brough,
wine and brandy. partaking himself OF
both liquors pretty freely, ard lresslne
them on his guests. | observed his
wife casting anxious g!anccs at him
but, beyond making him more pressing
his hospitality. l did not see that the
wire had any effect on him.
We passed an hour or TWO in pleas
ant converse and then badc them good
by.
My friend and 1 walked in silence
for some moments after leaving and
then | asked
as Fred at all given to intemper-
ance ?"
"IIc was so at one tune" said llar,
per, 'but his good little wife exercises
restraining influence over him, and he
will not, | hope, again fail into the same
habits. You know his wild oats at
college were rery wild"
After stay Of a week at Exmouth
during which time | made frequent
calls at Henderson's, whose vile was
not only pretty but well read, and con
versed well, making their house pleas
ant place to visit, | wandered hlthel
and thither, travelling in foreign lands
and hearing nothing Of my two friends
aud their families.
Six years elapsed ere I again visited
Exmouth, and as | wandered around OIL
the cveing Of my arrival, | found myself
in tho vicinity of my old friends house
and bent my steps towards it. l coulG
not but mark at once the change in tho
appearance Of the place. The house