The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-11

[From the Detroit Free Press.l
SOME ODD FANCIEs.
s Sarcheton and l have had another ses-
| sion. rf'l vi 30 N 4l'
The glimpse Of that strange being which
have from time to time revealed are but the
shadowiest outline of a character that has
profoundly interested me. While in his out
ward department he presents no extraordi-
nary phase-but moves among men very
much in the fashion Of his fellows-his con-
fldential moods are prolific Of the oldest
flights Of thought, which have found among
the most entertaining of my social and in
| tellectual experiences. felicitate myself
ON having learned the way to that inner
temple wherein he dscards the mask of the
street and gives his :ancies freest flight. In
no other place does he thus indulge himself
or his friends; and while do not think him
soured man, or one whose heart is shut
against the world, or dead to all Of its allur-
ing Establishments, I know he is Indifferent
to those rewards which men ordinarily re-
gard with co7etous eyes. II l understand
him, earth can offer no prize glittering
enough to tempt him from the serenity OF
his present way of living. He knows the
value of the worlds esteem to those who
WOO ambition, but he has outlved whatever
desire he may once have had to wed that
fateful Jezabel. Books are his solace, his
most cherished companions, though have
lately thought that since the night of my
first visit with him there has sprung up be-
tween us bond that neither he nor Iwould
sever. I have not troubled myself with
searching for the cause OF his singular choice
of me as confidant, and as for my own in
clining toward him, why let that pass as
we'll. 1t is enough that each has found the
other congenial; but 1 confess to feelings
OF no common satisfaction whenever l re-
member the earnestness with which he de-
clared that my coming had brought into his
atmosphere sense OF fragrant freshness,
and into his heart ruddier glow than it had
known since the years that touched his hair
with gray.
While we sat together over our coffee yes
terday he turned on me in his quick, whim-
steal way, and asked me if had seen that
pretty little poem Of ''The Water Mill"
EYES, replied. ''What of it,"
"Much OF it, he answered, with empha.
sis. 'sThere are two lines in it that tell the
tragedy Of human life."
Indeed And what are they, pray?''
Golden wears are fleeting by
Youth is passing. too"
''rhose are the lines in which are crystal
lied the old pilgrimage which begins in the
cradle and ends, l need not say where.
know but one other sentiment that conveys
so fine meaning in so few words. 1t is OF
Hindoo origin, think, but somebody has
given it us in the vernacular to this effect:
we come into the world wailing, and every
days life tells lis why's
II remember rather peculiar aphorism
which you ought to have as kind Of COM
panion piece to those little sentiments. You
may call the three, then, your trinity" L
said lightly.
''Ah! dear fellow, you are disposed to be
merry. Well, why should you not? Truly
am beginning to suspect myself Of finding
too much pleasure in thoughts Of that de-
scription, as if ones best comfort were to
consist in hugging the pathetic. But shall
lose myself if Pm not careful, so complete
my trinity, there's a good soul.''
"'The greatest Joy Of our woe is that it
cannot last; and the greatest woe of our joy
is that it cannot last, ~ replied.
''An odd way of putting it, surely, but
(and his eyes moistened) how true the
thought. Pain and grief are endured with
the greater fortitude in that we hope they
will have all end; and under the roses of
our happy days lie hidden the thorns that
goad us to remember how swiftly they come
and go. Kisses to-day, blows tomorrow.
The sere follows the blossom, and the prom
Use Of yesterday lies prone on the funeral
bier to-day. orange blossoms and Grape;
ecstasy and agony: beauty and deformity;
infancy and age; the girl-mother and the
grandmother the radiant maiden and the
wrinkled beldame the eager youth and the
jaded man are the order Of destiny-the
figures in the grand tragedy. Some have
called it farce, but Melpomone. not Momus,
plays the parts.
''Come now I'll change this theme and
execute war dance. No. On second
III give you a song:
Blow We winds 10,
And a roamin' will go,
~, Ill stay no more on Eng"
He had risen from his chair and was actu-
ally accompanying the doggerel with an in
describabe time. beat of feet and arms and
body. The metamorphosis was SO sudden
and SO unlocked for as to startle me.
must have shown my amazement in my
faces for he stoppedas abruptly as he had
begun, and threw himself ON sofa in
reckless way that in no degree tended to
dlspel my concern.
was yet hesitating what to say when he
remarked, half bitterly, half jestingly:
You see? Extremes always meet. l
weep for Hecnba, and laugh and jump with
Jim Crow. You should take a lesson OF me
in philosophy, old fellow. Did you never