Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-08-01

bring me my writing desk, andsthen
to leave me alone. While she was
taking it from the bottom of the
trunk for / had never used it since
that too well remembered morning
Sadly asked who that Harry was of
,, whom raved so much in my illness.
"How should l know" l Inquired.
"Probably one of the Students, as I
am very well acquainted with several
by that name" Why, what did I
say?" aW r
"Nothing that we could understand
only occasionally we would hear you
muttering, My Harry or Poor Har-
ry.'"1 M
i was sure then that none knew
the real cause of my illness, and l
would make myself sure that none
ever did. Ifn Ia Eaan w aa#f
When my sister left the room,a I
burnt the notwithstanding letters, with
out another perusaL Dust and ashes
was my first and last love. The little
gifts that ] had once priced, put
safely away into secret drawer. /
could not return them to the giver, for
| did not know where on the CONT
nent he was located. | learned by
accident that he had gone south.
Months were woven into years, and
still | kept my room. / was not
well. Physicians called my disease
spinal complaint, and allowed them
to prescribe accordingly. You may
think it passing strange how one
could be so perfectly inactive and
still retain a good use of their FIVE
senses. And yet there are thousands
wasting their Inheritance, allowing
their energies to lie dormant till every
good impulse is covered over with
rust that;will eatIup every God given
talent.
had no aim, no object in life and
| would not seek one.
1t was enough that l no longer
suffered acutely, and my wants were
all supplied. In this thriftless way
ten years of my life were passed.
Then my dear old father sickened
and died. 1t was during his illness
that nerved myself to leave my own
room,--for all this time had kept
my own apartment like the veriest
hermit and sit by him, while the
rest of the family sought needed rest
or attended to domestic matters.
Although he was a very quiet man
in his family, yet we were very lonely
without him. And for mothers sake
| mingled more with the family, in
the hope of comforting her in her af-
fiictions. l soon found that our neigh
bors were really intelligent beings
with warm, sympathizing hearts, and
that books and papers could be
source of enjoyment.
One morning when the June roses
wern in bloom, and the bees were
gathering their wealth of sweets alike
from roses and nettles. and birds were
feeding their young, my Idle istless
hands picked up the weekly paper
that sister Moretta had left upon the
sofa.
My eyes wandered dreamily over
it's columns and finally rested on these
evidently heart-spoken words: "Oh
let not the light come and find so lit
tie accomplished let not these golden
jewels of Time, as they drop from
Gods benificent fingers, be utterly
lost"
Those words were standing re-
buke to me. How many times had
the curtains of Gods windows been
drawn, shutting out the day from my
sight, and found me indebted for
time spent in idle, useless dreaming.
All day long was l haunted with my
wasted life. All my energy lay COW
cred with rust, my talents were COW
cred over with the cobwebs Of dream
land. | had robbed the gracious
Giver of the casket of jewels that he
had lent me to be returned with usu-
ry / had allowed it to be corroded
with rust, which would ever mar the
brilliancy of the jewels within. When
He called for them what an account
should be obliged to give for wasted
opportunities. There was still val
liable part left should / leave that to
60 to ruin with the rest?
"No," was the answer of the whole
soul. [ would arise and put on my
beautiful garments. L would that
hour begin a new life; though the
sun had long since passed the merid-
ian, yet the night should not come till
had accomplished some good. /
would lcatch for opportunities.
Summer faded, and cIasped hand
| with her sister autumn as she re-
signed scepter and crown, with
bowed form, but placid smile upon
her pale lips. She had fulfilled her
mission. Not a single thread was
missing in all the fabric.
September with her quiet, dreamy
days and starry nights found nae re.
ally enjoying an active life. felt
like another being. "Old things had
passed away and behold all, things
had become new" It seemed strange
how much one could accomplish when
one had a will to do.
Fifteen years from the day nv
whole life had seemed wrecked upon
a barren strand. / was travelling thr'o
the state OF Illinois on my way to
visit some relations. The numbering
stage was well filled with passengers
and baggage. The roads were not
always as smooth as plank could have
made them, but the landscape was
varied with bright hued autumn flow
ers scattered over the far reaching
prairie, amid the rank grass. And
travellers always manage to make the
route interesting with historical
sketches and bits of western expert.
ence. ~
Thus we were amusing each other
when suddenly there was crash and