The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-04-22
STORY OF a RECLUSE.

In one of the mountainous counties
OF Wales there lived for many years Il
hermit, of whom no one had any knowl-
edge.
His abode was 4 cave, in Il wild re-
gion; and he never appeared among his
fcllow-bcings except to obtain such ne
ccSsaries as his hermit life required.
He would never, while living, reveal
his name, nor place of birth, nor the
cause which had led him to sccludc him.
self from the world
One day couple of travellers, passing
through that region, visited the cave.
and found the hermit not only dead, but
i'll state of decomposition.
The BODY, after an inquest, was
buried, and some garments and few
triilcs, which belonged to the deceased,
were deposited at the nearest magis-
tratc's Office, with full statement of
the facts.
In Il pocket of one of these garments
was found II manuscript, supposed to
have been written by the deceased, and
which, as it tells its own story, we here
transcribc without word of comment:
was born in Il year l shall. not re-
cord, in place sh:.Il not reveal, and
under name shall not disclose.
For many long years l have been
dead to the world, and my desire now
is that the waves Of oblivion shall roll
over me and leave me It's if had never
been.
And yet there arc some facts in my
life which wish to set forth.
Why?
Well, | doubt if I could tell anyone
why.
l 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 to make my life hap
py one.
sTas sent to school at an early age,
and kept there till | had acquired q
gQ-.I English education.
Then, at my own request, | became
an undcrclcrk in the large dry-goods es-
adjustment of 4 prosperous merchant
BY strict integrity and diligence l
gradually rose to q first position.
AT two-and-wcnty [ had the conf
dence of my employer, and was often
invited to his dwelling.
AT first this made me very happy.
and rs looked forward then, the fu-
ture seemed very bright. But, alas,
and alas! this was the beginning of a
sorrow which will never end while re.
main on earth.
My employer had Il daughtcr-a kind,
gontlc, lovely being-who, to my en-
raptured vision, seemed an angel just
come down from Paradise.
From the moment first boheld her
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 confessing this to myself, or
to world that will never know me, |
will say that loved her to a decree of
worship which made her II sometbino
above and beyond my reach; and
though naturally easy and fluent in con-
Vcrsaton, [ could not speak to her with
out changing color and choking, and
appearing more like an idiot than a
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
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 l secretly
gave her.
AS have said, avoided rs much as
possible coming in contact with her
would have gone q mile out of my way
rather than speak to her, and yet her
presence, in nv cOmDonV Of which |
formed part, was gloVaing Joy, and
her absence depressing void.
Among her numerous suitors was n
tellow-clerk, who held n position of con-
hdonce under our employer similar TO
my own, and who, when we were alone
together, was always praisinp her sweet
ness and beauty, and proclaiminp his
own undying love. ''''
ION, fancy the golden moment when
l snail be able to clasp her dear little
hand in mine, and call her by the on
dTaring name of wifer' no would somo-
times cXclaim, or use words of similar
import; and when would as often turn
aside, TO conceal the feelings that wonld
rualmost ovGrpOwcr me, he would mis-
take my action for dislike on the mh-
jGct.
"Ah,n he one day said to me, "I 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 me, whose excess of love for
the object in question was consuming
me Ike an inward fire!