The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-04-20
A PATHETIC LITTLE STORY


Written fer The AEorristown Gazette.l
We sometimes have in the mind
the spirit of beautiful or pathetic
narrative, but cannot give it a body
in language. When l think of Jen-
ME Lee and her father and the deep
pathos of their history, / seem to
have a precious jewel which tarnish-
es whenever it is brought to the
light.
1t was in the melancholy of calm
October evening, when the long
shadows fell across the meadow, and
the red and yellow leaves rustled
down, one by one, from the sugar
trees in the little family graveyard,
and the katydids had commenced
their lonesome song from the bleach
ed hay -stacks-at such a time when
every thing combined to affect the
mind with a sweet dreamy melan-
choly-a melancholy party reached
our home. 1t was Mr.. Lee and his
little daughter He was a pale, thin
man with a deep shadow Of settled
grief upon his countenance He was
carrying his little daughter in
wheelbarrOw-a strange sight it is
true-trudging along the country
highway with such a vehicle But
there was a mournful air about his
very step and motions, which for
babe the curious inquisitive stare Of
even the rude. He came up in front
Of the house, and, hating, asked for
lodging during the night. His re-
quest was granted at once, and we
took up the little girl and carried
her into the house. She was only
about four years old. She had a fine
intellectual face, but it lacked the
expression Of careless joy, which
gives beauty to childhood. Her fea-
lures seemed to have caught the
thoughtfulness and care, if not the
grief and melancholy of her fathers
She looked upon herself as his COM
forter and only friend. We were in
terested in her from the first, but
when we heard her fathers story
our interest was intense, and our
sympathy bOundless both for the
father and child.
He had been a thriving farmer in
one Of the midland counties of Yir-
ginia, and was blessed with an &C
compIished and loving wife and five
children. His growing
family caused him to seek better
prospects for them in the West, and
he had gone out, [ think, to Iowa.
There he hoped, in the decline of
life, to settle his children around
him, and see his grand children on
their grandmOther's lap.
But one by one his children sick
ened and died in that land of strang-
ers. Mound after mound was made
by the clump of trees on the prairie,
till there were four. Four times the
hearts of the loving wife and tender
husband had melted and flowed to-
gethor in grief and sympathy. Jen-
ME alone was left, a solitary beam
of the light that once shone in their
happy home. They feared that she
was only reserved for a later victim
Of that strange climate. They de-
termined to return to their native
land. Oh if those four little graves
could be transferred to the breezy
hills Of Virginia, how gladly would
they bid adieu to the West. But
those sacred mounds must be left to
be Obliterated by the plough Of fu-
ture tenants. But alas a heavier
fate was waiting. They had but be-
gun their homeward Journey, when
the wife and mother sickened and
died. Mr.. Lee laid his wife in the
burying ground Of strangers. He
realized that "the heart may break,
yet brokenIy live on MournfulIy
be turned his steps from the tomb
Of all that had been dear to him,
and resumed his hOmeward journey
with his little daughter. Joseph in
Egypt, hearing from his fathers
lips Of his mothers grave Gin the
way of Ephrath," or Naomi return
ng lone, childless widowed stranger
to her native land, complaining that |
the Lord had dealt very bitterly |
with her." is not more pathetic to
ne than this mans return When |
le had reached the eastern part Of |
his means were exhaust
I'd. He could no longer travel by |
public conveyance, and so procured |
1 wheelbarrow, in which his little
infant, on the way home, was as
light as a zephyr Jennie demeaned |
herself with the utmost propriety |
while at our home. She was very
careful not to give trouble to any
me.
On the following day they con
inued their journey, but left the
impress Of that whole occasion, a
,weet melancholy episode in our
memories. And now, when the
ime of the year returns, the autumn
Winds, and the falling leaves re
paints the scene, and the children
luit their play under the haw and
he thorn bushes by the cottage,
md ask to be told of Jennie Lee.
IL. 2. BAILEY.
NE VS. ITEMS
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