The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-04-19
APEEP-AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
ByLAUTA WILSON SMITH.

braveG the wintry wind and sleet.
TO wander down the icy street,
FOR bitter thoughts sulged III nay breast
And filled me with wild unrest.
could not bear my lonely room
the silent place that | called home.
The burning Goals had lost their charm,
That was enough to cause alarm
For one is III dreadful state,
Who. lounsirg near the glowing CRATE.
Cannot forget all earthly woe.
And feel at peace with all below.
While castles ruby red, arise
Before his dreaming, half-shut eyes:
For all these pal -ces OF tire
Are filled with What we most desire.
turned to books, but they were stale,
rhey scarce were known before to iall
In bring ing pleasure or ret!ef,
in times OF WEAKNESS or grief.
/ tried to whistle, but the sound
Made dismal echo, round and round.
There was no voice bu, mine to speak.
The warm bright room was bare and bleak.
Upon the couch | nestled down
NV restless heart in dreams to drown;
isut when closed my eyes to sleep,
Determined my resolve to keep.
| 4 Thousand visions filled my brain,
And some brought pleasure. others pain.
;tut one. the cause or my unrest,
With bitter longing filled my breast.
| \ very little thing 1t was
lei ily,s have changed from some slight
| cause.
| And IRON the careless JOY I've known,
| /; wake to find myself alone.
| Tonight when coming down to tea.
| | caiied my old chum. Dick. 50 see.
| i paused before touched the bell,
! And pceped within Il blush to tell! }
| t;ut one who writes OF nature s scenes,
| Must sometimes look behind the screens.
| / was to wrlta sketch from lie
.'ihe Cause OF Matrimonssf Strife"
| And 50 / peepcd to find text
| Id better writi Oh ''peeping next:
hh well, I've had my punishment
! Lost every yeStIgc ol content
| ihe scene within, cosy room.
| With light, aInth, ana flow rs III bloom:
| ,ieio:e the era il an easy char
| ii llh dTessnlg-goWn ana slippers there,
| And meath tie saower OF ID low light
| iii. table stood all spread wiS!s white;
! I'nc silver service. rar,. and old,
i !. as graven DER aud lined with gold:
| .knu plates for two--cio&e side by side,
E'or ~, friend Dick. and hi; fair bride.
And there. was Dick, Just coming i'll,
| With snowiiaHes Oh his bearded! chin.
a
Hid for a moment III his arms.
! Then two waite hands brushed Off the
snow,
Aud Dick 5 strong face bent down so low
| could see what happen d-gulte,
50 ! crept back into the night.
Could disturb a scene SO lalr?
turned away and left them there,
And tried to still my lone hearts throb
And struggle with q fearless sob
There Were for me no sweet home-ties.
No waitlng wife. whose loving eyes
W ouid brighten As my step drew near.
= No tender Voice my life to cheer.
Ny empty arms had never known
. The bliss OF folding to my own
A heart that beat for ms alone
In all my life had not known
The taste OF loves enthralling wine
} Warm, dewy lips press d close to NINE.
- Fate = prayed, but give me this
I'could not bear my silent room.
No voice but mine, no flow rs in bloom
Dark. bitter thoughts surged in nay breast
And filled me with wild unrest.
: So forth into the icy street.
:. [ rushed to brave the wind and sleet,
My heart with morbid grief did burn
:. Who'd care if should ne'er return?
J Who'd drop for me single tear,
l. If were lying on my bier:
WhJ'd care il O. 'er my puiseless brow
!. The cold. white snow were drifting now
V | met the storm with cool diSdain.
TIL reached house in Maiden Lane,
y. And there, to soothe my sad hearts pain
q lpopped the question to 'Lizu June !!
n Gems Of Poetry.