Democratic messenger., 1888-03-31
TEN YEARS DEAD.

day as sat in the public library this face
was opposite. II raised my eyes from my
reading he was there, porting over pile Of
pamphlets or sitting with dreamy, sorrowful
face over his forgotten book. He was man
Of middle age apparently, with an air Of re.
fincinent IN his entire per, on. His hair was
thick and white and was pushed back from q
fine sensitive face. But more than all there
was n look OF mcasureless sorrow In every
quivcring line. lie was so silent, so reserved,
so intent in the midst Of thc turmoil OF the
busy city, that he had upon nc the effect Of
an apparition. a mere accident put US upon
speaking terms, and as We met from day "a
day he grew less reserved One day as We
were leaving the library said: "Gcorgc,
wish you would tell me your story" A
spasm of pain crossed his forehead and he
hcsitated, but sympathy In my voice inter-
estcd him. He said: II will tell you. But
let us go to my room"
When We reached his room in tho hotel,
sat down and waited for him to begin. After
u silence Of some minutes, during which he
sat with bowed head, this singular man, who
seemed more AMI more ghostly To me as
looked at his tlnn hands and face, began in a
subdncl voice:
~ suppose l have tho most remarkable,
ns well rs the most sorrowful, history TINT
ever entered your ears was born and
reared upon farm in the central part Of
this state. lpasscd tho ordinary life of the
farmer lad, working in summer and going
tn the district school in winter. leading a
careless, happy boyhood. At II years Of
age l entered the preparatory department Of
n neighborins college. During vacation l
worked ON the farm. In this way spent
six years, graduating, n. little past my
majority, with credit. That summer spent
upon the farm. working b,isily, till in August
| received n note from the principal Of tho
college. saying had bccn elected TO tho
place Of tutor of language nnd literature.
strained every faculty TO get ready for tho
work the coming September. l was EN-
gagged 10 be married TO n young girl had
met at tho college, and all seemed bright
andl happy. My God! how happy and bright
that time sccn,s to mo now rs look across
the awful abyss
feelings" said the speaker. speaking with
Ion. pauscs like one painting with fatigue.
THE last thing which l remember before
that chasm came into my life was quarrel
with my father. had been studying hard,
i
was irritable. We were both Of u passionate
nature. lie was n gooi father and n man Of
worth and integrity, hut intensely practical.
lic had little rcsIect for Greek aud latin
and would sometimes jest about my studies.
On that dreadful day ] rctorted sharply to
his jcsting words, and one word followed an
other till In passionate anger he ordered mo
to leave his house forever. Iremember turn
then swift dread Of blackncss fell upon me
like cloud and my brain melted under a
soaring hcat.n
There was long silence, during which my
narrator sat with bowed head. while with
soul profoundly stirred by the agony in his
voice, listened TO the dull roar Of tho human
tide that beat and lashcd along tho street.
Then he hcgan again in low monotonous
key that thrilled me.
"Whcn rcSained consciousness I was ly-
Ing upon heap Of straw. did not immc-
diatcly know this, but II came gradually.
did not think--thc sensation Of rustling straw
seemed Ia come into my mind of itself. NJ
member feeling it wondcringly with my
hands. ] seemed TO bc wrapt in "A mist,
through which familiar sounds made their
way family, as from n distance. heard
tine trampling as of animals, and the noise Of
farm yard fowls Grooming and cackling.
Slowly my frozcn brain resumed its work,
and felt rather than saw was in n stable,
and heard the cattle ON either side of mc.
Then stable boy reused me with n cry that
was like shock 10 my faculties, and | rose
fcehly. rcmciGbcr thinking the boy had
almost comical look of terror upon his
chubby face, and he brcathcd hard. My
sensation was of bcwiltlcrment. All was un-
accountable, all a mystery. I looked down
at my feet and saw they were covered by
coarse but new shoes. I was dressed in q
strong, clean gray suit like millcr's work.
ing suit | wondered at the long b,ard upon
my face, at my sleeping in stable. l felt
weak and hungry, AMI asked tho boy for
food. lie started away ut the sound Of my
voice; hut came back and resumed looking
at me. As again askrl for food, he told
me to come with him, aud when ! stepped
slowly cut into open mir and saw the morn
ing sunlight streaming down the valley
and over the meadow. Slw the broOk and the
orchard, like n wave of reviving warmth
came the thought, am at home! This was
all was sure of, and clsnS to IT, like ono
sinking. even though when turned "a the
house all was changed The trees werc tall
aud the house had grown larger. While
these thoughts were knocking at my poor
feeble brain my guide Ind oIened the door
OF the farm house and called Ia some ono
within. 4 mild featured, white haired old
lady came la the door and Said. Come in '
" the sound of her voice the bonds of my
s.!cncc were louscd, and cried In terrible
voice, Mother. mothcrl don't you know
m"r She turned like a fash and looked at