The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1879-11-19
For THE HERALD.
A$Leaf from the Gallery of
Memory. 49,.
BY MAGGIE.

ouuoe1 AuSC!o iof1uSiY v u 'Ne N'S'"o'
hilltops, pierces with its glitterlng
shafts the placid bosom Of the little
streamlet beyond, dotted with the
early fallen leaves, and rests as if in
benediction on the stately spires Of
yon little church. Kenneth's church,
so I always called it for he preached
his first, aye and last sermon, there in
that little ivy crowned church. What
food-tide Of memories sweep over
my heart as 7. sit and watch the golden
glories of this gorgeous sunset make
lights on the hill tops and shadows III
the valley. Kenneth's church is in
the valley, and except the little halo
which rests or ''e spire, the church
like unto his =. life, is wrapped in
shadow. Brave, handsome Kenneth:
We were boys together, Kenneth and
I, together we left the white cliffs Of
Albion, together We explored the
snow clad regions Of our Canadian
home. Students together, graduated
together, and together turned our faces
southwark to preach the glad tidings !;
strangers in strange land. Friends
from boyhood, circumstances drew the
bonds still closer, till our love for each
other was like unto that Of David and
Jonathan. I,seem to see him tonight
just as he used to stand IN our little
room, leaning in his own careless grace
against the mantle, one arm resting
thereon, looking out into the distance
with that for off, wistful expression in
bis wondrous eyes. Then sweeping
back the dark curling hair from his
broad white brow, he would lay that
delicate womanly hand Of his on my
shoulder in his gentle, caressing way
and say, We will strive Bob, to make
ourselves worthy Of this our great life
work. All, Kenneth I always knew
you were a great man, and yet looking
back through the lapse Of years with
the matured judgment which years
have brought me, I see you were far
greater than your loving, trusting
friend, ever dreamed. A man endowed
with rare beauty and still rarer genius,
with heart worthy Of both was my
friend Kenneth Forbes, but born Of a
consumptive family he was possessed
of an inherent delicacy which little
fitted him to stem the rough current
Of life. III
How often when sermonlzlng L
would rack my brain for an idea, while
his pen would glide rapidly on, scat
tering golden-linked pearls of thought
with as much ease and rapidity as a
flower dispels its gems of dew. And
this man of rare genius; added to his
unequaled personal attractions, with a
heart as noble and pure as one of Gods
angels, loved fair, 6ckle woman, who
counted her conquests as a savage
| warrior does her scalps. How l strove
by every art to weaken the syren's
| chain, but all in vain. Once, just
| once I dared demonstrate with him.
Strong in all else he was child in
this, not one doubt of her love could
I make him believe; loyal as king
himself he believed her to be true
fulfllment of pure, beautiful woman
| hood, which when woman does fulfill
she could ask of God no higher des-
tiny; but when she stoops to trihe
| with the affection Of man, made in the
image of his Creator, to such We think
even God himself can scarce be pitiful.
Poor Kenneth, his infatuation was
complete. Every laurel, and they
were many, won by his rare genius,
was laid at her feet, and the shrine
you see was unworthy the offering.
Bob, he would say, with that winning
smile lighting up his handsome face,
she is my Alpine rose which l have
scaled the giddy glaciers to Gull, and
I wear it as my proudest laurel. But
| the end soon came. Twas talr
June night, and young moons ten
der light hung its silver mist DER
earth and sea. l had gone down to
the shore to watch the tide go out,
and hear, like little "Paup', what the
wild waves were saying. Thought
sped far DER the dim waters to my
Canadian home, to the little boat
which lay anchored by the margin OF
the silver lake, and I was sighing fer
the Lakeland far away. A step drew
near. Twas Kenneth. A moment
more and the hand came down on my
shoulder in its old caressing way. l
knew he was in trouble, for that was
| T..