The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-10-12

manner. L naQ lltCle rccTeaGlOn
work, study and grave discourse al
ternating in my life. 1 know now
that my father loved me, and that
he intended this strict discipline for
what he called my highest good.
When 1 was 10 my mother died and
1 was sent to the - academy
Raymond Morris was principal. /
had never loved learning for its own
sake, nor imbibed it eagerly under
my fathers rigid tuition, but the
persuasive lips and eloquent eyes of
Raymond Morris lured me TO com
nit many hard lesson and rendered
comparatively easy many an irk-
some task. My father was well
satisfied with my progress, and l
was returned for the second year.
But, alas! during this year 1 learned
q lesson not to be found in books,
and at its close found myself be-
trothed to Raymond Morris. I did
not dream of my fathers displeas-
ure; but he was indignant that we
had plighted ourselves without his
approval. No sin could have been
more objectionable in his eyes, and
Raymond was forbidden the house.
Still l contrived ways to meet him,
until my fathers watchful eyes dis
covered our secret. Then L was
subjected to a still stricter surveil-
lance for weeks, but by the old house
keepers connivance, managed to es
cape during my fathers temporary
absence.
"But, alas, Raymond had gone I
knew not whittier. My obdurate
spirit was unsubdusd, and 1 deter
mined never to return to my father S
house. l wandered aimlessly along
until l came upon little ldian
hamlet. They received me kindly,
and in my then exasperated state of
feeling their simple, outdoor life
and freedom seemed congenial to
me. An aged squaw took me to her
cabin, and after a while proposed
to me to marry her son.
"My whole soul revolted at first.
But a CALLING sense of injustice
ranked in my heart, and a wild de
sire for revenge upon my stern
father took complete possession of
me. l think I was insane then!
God knows! A magistrate was sent
for whose scruples a moderate fee
silenced, and there, under the broad
canopy of heaven, surrounded by
dusky faces, 1 uttered the false VOWS
which made me welded wife.
"Henceforth all the happiness |
could know was the thought that 1
had foiled and Inundated my father,
and for months 1 took a fierce de-
light in it.
"Then we removed to this place.
L had never seen my father since he
left me a prisoner in my own rooms,
and though at times a longing for
reconciliation would come over me,
pride held me back. But when all
hope had died in my heart, proVi-
dence sent him to my very door.
We met with chastened and sub
dued spirits. Mutually we sought
and obtained forgiveness. He, the
gray haired, venerable man, has laid
his hand in benediction upon my
head; he has caressed my dark
broYed children, and smoked the
pipe of peace with him 1 called hus-
band.
"Tell Raymond Morris this-that
am now a welded wife. Peace is
all that is left to me; let him not
come to disturb it. l would spare
myself and him the pain Of another
Give him my blessing
and farewell, and may the Lord deal
with me in repeating my words !
faithfully to him."
The next morning Raymond |
Morris, bowed as with the weight Of
ten additional years, took his seat |
in the coach for the nearest railroad |
station. 1 have never seen or heard |
of him since.
Every season brings Julia and her
Indian family to occupy the cabin
on the hillside. She has grown
feeble and prematurely old, and the
grave will soon close over her
L