Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-11-05
THE MAYNARD SON.
BY ARvIDE BALDWIN.

renneU man OF % OF fVs ho wac
fauItlessly dressed, and bore the
air of one who has health, wealth,
and position. He came into ouI
little city one day and took the
oest apartments in the hotel. His
habits were regular, and to his few
acquaintance he made himself
agreeable. He took numerous rides
and an occasional walk into the
country, for he seemed to love pas
toral scenes and pastoral life. In
and near our city were several pub
lie buildings and institutions.
Our lovely little burg contained
a courthouse, for it was the county
capital, and among other evil ne
cessitles, Jail.
Near to the town was fine col
lege, and west of the college was
the institution for feeble-mlnded
people-a state institution. On the
opposite side of the city, and close
by the suburbs, was the poOr-iarm.
Our friend, the stranger, had Wis
tied them all, and knew every road
and lane that led to and past them.
One morning, perhaps a fortnight
after his arrival, he directed his
footsteps once more out on the poor
farm road. While he seemed to
have no particular reason for 60
ing in that direction, rather than
another, yet his feet led him that
way.
At the gate be met a little child
"a lovely girl. He loved children,
and he petted and talked childs
talk to this one, and after emptying
handful of caramels into her tiny
pocket he passed on. By the side
of the road, just over the fence,
resting, he saw poor cripple try
ing to cultivate the growing corn
To this unfortunate he spoke cheer
lily and deposited a shiney silver
coin in his skinny hand. Saunter-
ing on he came to the bridge that
spanned the brook. Here he stop
ped few moments to watch the
success of two urchins fishing. AS
he passed over he noticed a tired,
dust-covered, foot.sore old man rest
ing on a 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 unno-
ticed.
"a pleasant day, sir p 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 a pleasant
morning to those that can enjoy it."
"Every one may enjoy the wealth
er, surely"
"True, every one may but all can
mott
''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, bat mind
ailment is fOIly-it is weakness and
should be cast off,
The old man turned a reproach-
ful look upon the stranger.
"Have you a child, sir?'
"No, sir; l am not so Fortunate
"And no wife I"
"No. No such blessing
"And have had no troublep
"None.~
"YOu are an unfortunate man,
sir, very unfortunate man."
elbow sol No trouble and yet
unfortunate ~
"Ah. Unfortunate, indeed
"But that is strange logic 2" And
the young stranger suspected in
sanity.
"Will you listen to the old mans
story!"
"Certainly. / shall be pleased
to hear it," and he drew nearer.
The old man began ~ am old.
/ am weak, and am friendless
and sick at heart. The earth has
no pleasure for me but remem-
brance, and I long to depart and
be laid away to rest.' His chest
swelled as he stopped speaking, but
IN a moment he continued 81 was
young once, and happy, too. 1t
would have been better, perhaps,
if had not had such great happi-
ness, 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 l was
in the morning of my manhood l
met one of those emissaries from
heaven that are sent into the world
10 enoble and better it. It is use
less TO tell you that it was a girl,
and o such a one Such a lovely
face, and tall, willowy figure Such
a heavenly disposition! l loved her,
air. and we were married. Ii NAV