The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-04-21
STORY OF A isItCLUSE.

A"hNh ~t ~
In one of the mountainous counties
OF Wales there lived for many years q
hermit, of whom no one had any know-
edge
His abode was 4 cave in Il wild re-
glon; and he never appeared among his
fcllow-bcmgS except to obtain such ne
ccssarics rs his hermit life required.
He would never, whilc living, reveal
his name, nor place of birth, nor the
cause which had led him to sccludo him.
self from the world.
One day Il couple of Travellers passing
through that region, visited the cave,
and found the hermit not only dead, but
in state of decomposition.
The body, after IN inquest, was
buried, and some garments and few
trillcs, which belonged to the deceased,
were deposited nj the nearest mags-
tratc's Office, with n full statement of
the facts.
In II pocket of one of these garments
was found manuscript, supposed TO
have been written by the deceased, and
which. rs it tells its own story, we here
tranScrbc without word of commcnt:
WAS born in Il year shall not re-
cord, in Il place | shall not reveal, and
under II name shall not disclose.
For many long years have been
dead TO the world, and my desire now
is that the waves of oblivion shall roll
over me and leave me rs ii | had never
beer
And yet there are some facts in my
life which wish TO set forth.
WHY?
Well, doubt if could tell anyone
why. =;
only know that the impulse is on
me TO write them down, perhaps TO de-
StrOy the record when done.
My youth passed pleasantly.
had kind, indulgcnt, and pious par
cntS. who sought 60 make my life hap
py one.
| WAS sent to school ut an early age,
and kept there Till | had acquired
good English education.
Then. ut my own request. became
an undcrclcrk in the large dry-goods cs-
tabliSllmcnt of II prosperous merchant
BY strict integrity ang diligence
gradually rose to II first position.
AT two-and-twcnty had the conf
dcncc OF my employer, and was often
invited to his dwelling.
At first this made me very happy.
and rs looked forward then. tho fu.
turc seemed very bright. But alas,
and alas! this was the beginning of q
sorrow which will never end while re-
main on earth.
My employer had n daughtcr-a kind,
gentle lovely being who, to my en-
rapturcd vision, seemed IN angel just
come down from Paradise.
From the moment first bchcld hor
my whole soul went out to her, and
from that time forth could conceive of
no enjoyment in which she had no part.
As am confcssing this to myself or
to world that will never know me,
will say that loved her to- degree of
worship which made her u something
above and beyond my reach; and
though naturally easy and fluent in con-
versation, could not speak to her with
out changing color and choking, and
appearing more like an idiot than
man Of sense
This made me avoid meeting her
when alone, or pressing forward to take
my chance with those who were seeking
her at every opportunity, perhaps be-
cause of liking for herself, perhaps be-
cause of liking for the money she
would inherit.
do not think she ever suspected mo
OF having any regard for her beyond
that of her being the daughter of my
employer, whom was in duty bound
to treat with respectful Difference, and
certain am that she had no conception
of the holy love and worship ] secretly
gave her.
AS / have said. avoided rs much as
possible coming in contact with her
would have gone mile out of my way
rather than speak to her, and yet her
presence, in my company of which l
formed part, was n glowing joy, and
her absence depressing void.
Among her numerous suitors was q
fcIow-clcrk, who held a position of con-
lidcncc under our employer similar to
my own, and who, when wc were alone
together, was always praising her sweet
ness and beauty, and proclaiming his
own undying love.
ooh. fancy the golden moment when
i shall be able to clasp her dear littlo
hand in mine, and call her by tho en-
dearng name OF wifc!" he would some
fines cxclaim, or use words OF similar
import; and when would as often turn
aside, to conceal the feelings that would
almost Ovcrpowcr me, ho would mis-
take my action for dislike on tho sub
ject
"Ah,n he one day said to me, II per-
ceive my darling finds no favor In your
sight; and she knows you do not like
her; but for my sake, trust you will
not let her see that you absolutely hate
the sight of her person, and the mention
of her name"
This to mo, whose excess OF love foF
She object in question was consuming
me like an inward flrel