Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-10-09
Misetllaneons. q
David Swan.
O.~ Of Iaa~sher.~'. Meet E,Ssssis~
aLesgh~s.

sL~seh~s.
Could We indeed know all the yiciss
tudes OF our fortunes. life would be too ful
OF hope and fear, exultaiiou or dlsappoInt
meni. TO afford us single hour OF true
serenity. This idea may be illustrated by
single page from the secret history o
David Swan.
We have nothing TO do with David. Until
We lind him at the age OF twenty, on the
high-road from hl. native place to the city
OF Boston. where his uncle. small dealer
In the grocery line, was TO take him behind
the counter. Be IL enough TO say. tina; he
was a native Of New Hampshire. born oi
respectable parents. and had received au
ordinary school education with \ classic
finish of a year at Gilmsnion Academy.
After journeying on foot. from sunrise iii
nearly noon OF summer's day. his w.arl-
ness and the Increasing heat determined
him TO sit down ln the hrst convenient
shade. and xwAit the coming OF the stage
coach. As II planted on purpose for him
there soou appeared little clomp OF ma
piles. with delightful recess 10 the midst.
and such a fresh bubbling spring. that IL
really seemed never 10 have sparkled for
sny wayiarcr bu, David Swan. Virgin or
not. he kissed IL with his thirsty lips. and
then sung himself along the brink. pillow
ing his head upon some shirts aud pair OF
psntaloons. tied up In n striped cotton
hsudserchief. The suubeams could not
reach him; the dust did not vet rise from
the road. amer the heavy rain OF yesterday ::
and his grassy lair suited the young man
better than a bed Of down. The spring
murmured drovsIlv beside him. the byJs
aoa,ed across. the blue sky o,etneaa A~r
within ns depths. tell upon David swan.
While he lay sound asleep In the shade,
other people were wide awake, and passed
to and iro. on horseback. and 10 all sorts OF
vehicles, along .he sunny road by his bed
chamber. some looked neither TO the right
nor TO the len. aud knew not that he was
there; some merely glanced that way, with
out admitting the slumberer among their
busy thoughts; some laughed TO see how
soundly be slept. and several whose hearts
were brimming toll OF scorn, elected their
yenomoas superiiulty on David swan A
m ddle.aged widow. when nobody else was
near. thrust her head s little way into the
recess, and vowed that the young fellow
looked charming IN his sleep. A temper
nuce lecturer saw him, and wrought poor
David into the texture OF his evenings DIS
course. a. an awful instance Of lead
drunkenness by the roadside. But censure.
praise, merriment. scorn. and Indifference
were all one. or rather all nothing, TO David
swan.
lie had slept only few moments, when
a brown carriage. drawn by . handsome
pair OF horses, bOwled easily along. and
Was brought TO . stand-s,ill nearly Ia front
of Dsvids resting place. A linchpin had
fallen out. and permitted one OF the wheels
10 slide Of. The damage Was slight and
occasioned merely momentsry alarm 70
an elderly merchant and wife, who were
returning 20 Boston In the carriage. While
the coschmau and 4 servant were replac-
ing the wheel, the lady and gentleman
sheltered themselves beneath the maple
trees, aud there espled the bubbling ioun-
tain and David Swan asleep beside IT. In
pressed with the awe which the humblesi
sleeper usually sheds around him. the mer-
chan, tod as lightly as the gout would
allow; and his spouse took good heed not
TO rustic her silk gown. lest David should
start up all OF sudden.
How soundly be sleeps!" whispered the
old gentleman. From what a depth he
draws that easy breath. Such sleep a.
that, brought on without an opiate. would
be worth more TO me than hall my income
for il would argue health and AN untrouo-
led mind"
"And youth besides" said the lady.
Healthy and quiet age does not sleep
thus. Our slumber Is no more Ike his than
our wakefulness.
Thus did this elderly couple feel inter
ested in the unknown youth. 10 whom the
way side and the maple shade were as n
secret chamber. with the rich gloom OF
damask curtains broodlng over him. Per
ceiving that 3 stray sunbeam giimmered
down upon his face. the lady contrived To
l-s te
And having done this act OF kindness, she
began TO feel like 8 mother To him.
"Providence seems To have laid him
here" whispered she to her husband, land
to have brought Us hither TO find bin. after
our disappointment in our cousins son
Metbinks ! can see = likeness 10 our de-
parted Henry. Shall We waken himY'
ITO what purpose!- said the merchant
hesitatins. "we know nothing OF the
youths character"
That open countenance replied hi.
wife. In the same hushed voice, yet earn
| estly. This innocent sleep:'
While these whispers were passing, tn,
sleeper's heart did not throb, nor bis breAti
| become agitated. nor his features betrsy
the least token OF interest. Yet Forum,
was bending over him. just ready TO let fal
burden Of gold. The old merchant ha,
| lost hts only son, an0 nau no nelf 10 III
wealth except . distant relative, will
| whose conduct he WAS dissatisfied. In sucl
cases. people sometimes do stranger thing
than TO act the magician. and awaken
young man to spleDdOr who fell asleep i
poverty.
..iShall we not wAken him :" repeated tn
lady, personal---very..
''The coach is ready, sir" said the ser
want, behind.
The Old couple started, redeemed. an
hurried away, mutually wondering tbs
they should ever have dreamed OF doin
anything so Yidicuis'us. The merchaI
threw himself back ip his carriage and o,
cupied his mind with the plan Of MAJ
nificent asylum for unfortunate men OF bui
iuess. Meanwhile, David Swan enjOye
his nap.
The carriage could not have gone sbo,
. mile OF two, when Q pretty young 81
came along. with tripping pace. whic
showed precisely how her little heart wi
dancing 10 her bosom. Perhaps it WAS th
merry kind Of motion thaf caused-Is thel
harm in saying it2-her garter to clip
knot. Conscious that the silken girth-
J siIk Il Was-WaS relaxing IL hold, Il