Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-29
THE MAYNARD SON.
BY AEvIDE BALDWIN.

He Was pleasant appearing and refined
man of IS or 90. He was faultlessly
dressed, and bore the air of one who has
health, wealth. and position. He came
into our little city one day and took the
best apartments in the hotel. His habits
were regular. and to his few acquaintance
he made himself agreeable. He took
numerous rides aud an occasional walk
into The country, for he seemed to love
pastoral scenes and pastoral life. In and
near our city were several public buildings
and Institutions.
house, for it was the county capital, and
among other evil necessities, a Jail.
Near to the town was fine college, and
west of the college was tho institution for
feeble minded people, State institution.
On the opposite side of the city, and close
by the suburbs. was the poor farm. Our
friend. the stranger, had visited them all,
and knew every road and lane that led to
and past them. One morning, perhaps
fortnight after his arrival, he directed his
footsteps once more out on the poor-farm
road. While he seemed to have no par
ticu1ar reason for going in that direction,
rather than another, yet his feet led him
that way.
Al the gate he met little child-a lovely
girl. lie loved children, and he petted
and talked childs talk to this one, and
after enptying handful of caramels into
her tiny pocket he passed on. BY the
eide of fhn roo1 i,1cf +ho
ing, he saw poor cripple trying to cult
vate the growing corn. To this unfor-
tunate he spoke cheerily and
deposited sidney silver coin in
his skinny hand. Sauntering on
he came to the bridge that spanned the
brook. Here he stopped a few moments to
watch the success of two urchins fishing.
AS he passed over he noticed tired, dust
covered foot-sore old man resting on log
by the roadside. His head was dropping
low and his hands hung listless by his side.
A staff had dropped from one of them and
lay at his feet. He appeared oblivious to
everything around, and when the stranger
took his seat by his side he did SO un-
noticed.
"a pleasant day, sir?" said the stranger.
The old gentleman slowly raised his head.
and when his dim eyes rested on the form
by his side, he mournfully answered:
"Indeed. sir, it is pleasant morning to
those that can enjoy it..
Every one may enjoy the weather,
surely"
"True, every one may but all cannot"
"But this pure air with Gods sunlight is
free, and SO are the beauties of nature that
surround u.s."
"And that is true, too, but none of these
things can be enjoyed when the body is weak
and the mind is SICK" and the old man
breathed deeply.
Bodily ailment is bad, but mind ailment
is folly-it is weakness and should be cast
off"
The old man turned reproachful look
upon the stranger.
Have you child, sir?"
"No. sir; am not so Fortunate"
"And no wife?"
sNo. No such blessing"
"And have had no trouble?"
aNene.s
"Yoa are an unfortunate man, sir, very
unfortunate man."
"Hew SO? No trouble and yet unfortu-
nate?"
"Ah, Unfortunate, indeed"
"But that is strange logic?" And the
young stranger suspected insanity.
"Will you listen to the old mans story2"
Certainly. shall be pleased to hear
it." and he drew uearer.
The old man began: II am old. am
weak, and am friendless and sick at
heart. The earth has no pleasure for me
but remembrance, and long to depart and
be laid away to rest" His chest swelled as
he stopped speaking, but in moment he
continued: II was young once, and happy,
too. 1t would have been better, perhaps,
If had not had such great happiness, for
then when the end came the crush would
not have been SO agonizing and made the
death to all my earthly happiness, except
memory. so complete. When I was in the
morning of my manhood met one of those
emissaries from heaven that are sent into
the world to enoble and better it. 1t is
useless to tell you that it was girl, and
o! such ono! Such lovely face, and
tall, willowy fgurel Such aheavenly dis
position! Iloved her, sir, and we were
married. 1t mag look strange to you that