Smyrna times., 1882-05-03
Watching the Dipper.

was visiting 10 q laAC across the road,
lat led to the foot of the banks of the
magnificent Hudson The night was one
of rare beauty--a night as one never
forgets. The river looked calmly majestic,
with its chain of Schawaugunk mountains
standing out bold and clar on the oppO-
81 e side. Here and there the Snowy sail
of some graceful craft moved slowly along
it's winding path. The sky overhead was
full of stars, and grand display of the
northern lights Just above caused me to
stop and climb the stone fence, and sit |
upon its top, to watch this remarkable |
phenomena of nature. Tree-tOads. l..
c,Ists, and katydids were filling the air !
with their twilight song, and the measured |
music of oars broke upon my ear, com
pleling the charm of the panorama.
There are hours i'll the life ofevery man,
| believe, when, wrought upon by COM
binatiOn Of beautiful natural scenery, the
best part of his nature is aroused, and his
! thoughts revert to the times and places in
his life where the surroundings were the
most ennobling, and where he feels inno-
cent compared with the present. Men
engaged in the psrsuit of wealth in great
city-who are i'll the swing of fast life in
New York-may we'll prize an evening of
calm meditation, where mountains, and
river, and green meadows, and waving
trees, and the playing heavens, tell of a
mighty God and their souls can bathe in
memories pure and strong.
My thoughts had gone back to my
home in little town on the eastern coast
of Maine, and the memory of mother,
sister, and a dearly loved aunt who
always said of me, Stanley will turn out
we'll at last. no matter how wild he is
now" 1t is great. almost q saving
thought, TO know that one earnest worthy
woman had faith in me. Strong man that
| was, could feel the tears gathering in
my eyes at this remembrance, and as
brushed them away, and lifted my head
there was the Dipper" twinkling in the
sky, recalling the recollections OF the past
| am about to relate.
Seven years ago this summer returned
to nay native town, after an absence of
three years, to pass vacation of two
months. Since | had been away my
schoolgirl companions had grown Into
young ladies and prettier bsvy of girls
could scarcely be found than graced the
seaport town of F.. !, to, had become
a man during my absence, and as had
been residing in large city, and had
been associated with fashionable people,
was rather ahead of the beaux of F., in
polished manners and those acquire
ments that are considered attractions in
society.
Picnics, beach parties, yachting excur
sions, and all kinds of outdoor amuse
ments, were the order of the day, ant
time flew so pleasantly that begrudgeC
The hours as they passed.
Alice May was the acknowledged bell,
of E.. She was tall fragile in figure
and possessed sweetly expressive face
but her pure white complexion, with tn,
blue veins clearly traced in her temples
evidenced most d licate organization
and the bright color that came at times t
her cheek, and the deep lustre that shon
in her eyes, told that she would soOl
follow mother and sister that had dice
young of consumption. Her manner wa
unaffected and retiring, she was muc
admired by her companions, who spare
no pains to make her stay at E., wher
she was passing the summer with he
aunt, Mrs. BOynton, as pleasant as poss
BILE.
From the time was introduced to Allie
May, sought her as my companion on a
our excursions; and as our acquaintanC
ripened, ! was aware that she was bt
com. .ng attached to me. l did not stop
ask myself the nature of my feeling
IN toward her, but was gratifed by the fave
he of the prettiest girl in town, and wa
tie satisfied to pass the long summer days i
er her society, without thinking of tn
he future.
i'll One evening, when we were returnin
.lf from moonlight sail, Alice asked me if
We would do her favor. 1t was ths-t
an always watch the Dipper" before retirin
es and to look at it and think of her.
ne WOulO, anu 81 hAbt
n night.
1t was near the close of my vacation
that large picnic was to take place, an
was to be the last one ofthe season. AliC
was unusually charming on that da.
'ty We were together all the time, and 81
oi made wreathes for my hat, while sat b.
ny side her on the grass. When we returne
u.s. at night, and accompanied her to HI
lis, aunt's door, looked into her eyes an
ad said, "Alice, love you" The words ha
er- scarcely passed my lips when her aul
er- appeared in the portico, and after e:
at changing salutations / bade them goc
10 night.
of When reached home weighed N
own feelings. l regretted what ] hi
said to Alice. felt that did not real
Id love her-that had made a mistake
hat telling her so, and resolved to so alt
,on nv manner toward her that she wOu
hat understand it.
'ro- The next morning did not look Up
few her window, when | passed her aun
,ast house on my way down town, and VIII
ex- we met at the post Office during the day
lla- bowed, but did not join her. That eve
ing we were all invited to Mrs. BoyntOn
At first / thought / would not go, b
oo,,Id ,ot haar tn danv mvself the nle,