Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-09-22


admiration of their virtues, they
a would compassionate me and over
j. look my personal defOrmlty. Could
J, they turn from their door one
: however monstrous, who solicited
e their compassion and friendship
3 l resolved, at least, not to despair,
but to fit myself for an interview
2 with them which would decide my
{ fate. / postponed this attempt for
some months longer, for the i'm
splred me with dread lest Ishould
fail. Besides, found that my un-
derstanding improved so much with
every days experience, that / was
unwilling to commence this under
! taking until a few more months
should have added to my wisdom.
"Severaf changes, in the mean
time, took place in the cottage. The
presence of Safe diffused happiness
among its inhabitants, and / also
found that greater degree of plen-
ty reigned there. Felix and Agatha
spent more time in amusement and
conversation, and were assisted in
their labors by servants. They did
not appear rich, but were contented
and happy; their feelings were Sc
rene and peaceful, while mine be-
came every day more tumultuOus.
Increase of knowledge only discOv-
cred to me more clearly what a
wretched outcast was. cherished
hope, it is true; but it vanished,
when beheld my person reflected
In water, or my shadow in the
mOOnshine, even as that frail image
and that inconstant shade.
II endeavored to crush these
fears, and to fortify myself for the
trial which in few months / re-
solved to undergo; and sometimes
l allowed my thoughts, unchecked
by reason, to ramble In the fields of
Paradise, and dared to fancy amia-
BILE and lovely creatures sympathiz-
ing with my feelings and cheering
my gloom; their angelic counte-
nances breathed smiles of consOla-
ton. But it was all Il dream; no
Eve soothed my sorrows, or shared
my thoughts was alone. re-
membered Adams supplicatiOn to
his Creator but where was mine?
he had abandoned me, and in the
bitterness of my heart / cursed
him.
"Autumn passed thus. saw,
with surprise and grief, the leaves
decay and fall, and nature again
assume the barren and bleak APP
pearance it had worn when first
beheld the woods and lovely moon,
Yet did not heed the bleakness of
the weather / was better fitted by
my conformation for the endurance
OF cold than heat. But my chief
delights were the sights of flowers,
the birds, and all the gay apparel of
summer; when those deserted me
turned with more attention toward
the cottagers. Their happiness was
not decreased by the absence of |
summer. They loved and sympa-
thiZed with one another, and their |
joys, depending on each other, were
not interrupted by the casualties
that took place around them. The
more saw of them, the greater be-
came my desire TO claim their pro-
lection and kindness my heart |
yearned to be known and loved by |
these amiable creatures; tosee their
sweet looks turned toward me with |
affection was the utmost limit of
my ambition. / dared not think
that they would turn them from me
with disdain and horror. The poor
that stopped at their door were ne'er
driven away. i asked, ii is true,
for gretaer treasures than Il little |
food or rest; 1 required kindness
and sympathy; but 1 did not
believe myself utterly unworthy OF
it. ....
"The winter advanced, and an
entire revolution Of the seasons had
taken place since l awOke into life.
My attention at this time was solely
directed toward my plan OF intro
ducing myself into the cottage OF
my protectors. revolved projects,
but that on which / finally fixed
was, to enter the dwelling when the
blind old man should be alone.
had sagacity enough to discover
that the unnatural hideousness of
my person was the chief object OF
horror with those who had formerly
beheld me. My voice, although
harsh, had nothing terrible in it; /
thought, therefore, that If, in the
absence of his children, 1 could gain
the good will and mediation of the
old De Lancey, might, by his
means, be tolerated by my younger
protectors.
lone day when the sun shOne on
the red leaves that streWed the
ground. and diffused cheerfulness,
although it denied warmth, Safe,
Agatha and Felix departed on
long country walk, and the old
man, at his own desire, was left
alone in the cottage. When his
had departed he took up
his guitar and played several
mournful but sweet airs, more sweet |
and mournful than / had ever {
heard him play before. At first his |
was illuminated with [
pleasure, but as he continued,
and sadness succeed (
ed at length, laying aside the
instrument, he sat absorbed in re-
Election.
"My heart beat quick this was
the hour and moment of trial which {
would decide my hopes or realize
my fears. The servants were gone
to a neighboring fair. All was silent S
in and around the cottage; II was 1
an excellent opportunity, yet when
/ proceeded to execute my plan, {
my limbs failed me, and sank to
the ground. Again 1 rose, aud, |
all the firmness of which /
was master, removed the pianks I
which / had placed before my
hovel to conceal my retreat. The &
fresh air revived me. and with re- |
newed determination, l approached 6
the door of their cottage. 8
"I knocked. who Is there? 9
said the old man-'COme in i
~ entered; Pardon this intru-
sion,' said /, Il am traveller In
want of little rest you would OBJ
Iige me greatly If you would allow '
me to remain a few minutes before {
the fire. !
Enter said DeLacey; 'and
will try in what manner can re- :
Iieve your wants, but unfortunately, {
nv children are from home, and as
am blind, i am afraid that ! shall q
find il difficult to procure food for !
you
ado not trouble yourself, my
kind host, have food; II is warmth
and rest only that need
81 sat down and silence ensued. !
knew that every minute was pre-
cious 10 me, yet remained irresO- u
ute in what manner to commence j
The interview, when the old man I
addressed me: i
"By your language stranger, j J.