The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-16

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:SyEE%5M and months that fol-
J%5Ml-.--lM lowed. Like one who
ISAAI WIN was dead, but pos
NMalsll'@s4M sessed still tho power
SM OF motion, pursued
80: my lonely way. AL
through the first night OF my departure l
walked till the first faint streak of light
heralded tho coming day. Unjust have walked
fast, and mechanically In direction In which
l should not be recognized, for when l looked
about me knew not where | was. 1t suited
me that had reached place did not know.
A humble wayside inn was near; entered
it and asked for room. There l remained
during the day, and when night fell went
out again and walked on and on; through
fields and villages. taking any track that
promised to lead me farther and farther away
from familiar scenes. must have adopted
some method OF cunning ooncealment that no
one accosted me and inquired whittier was
going. When day dawned was in a wood,
and there lay unobserved, and pretended
to be alsecp when Iheard footsteps approach
ing. AT night. again 1 continued my flight;
and SO day after day. night after night
passed, until felt that was lost-and safe.
drank nothing but water, ate nothing but
dry bread. My purse contained some gold
and silver, and spent 80 little that 1t would
last me q long time. A thought intruded it.
self os flying to q distant land, but would
not entertain 1t. England held oil that was
dear to me; in England would stop till 1
was dead / kept no count of tho days. and
only knew when it was Sunday by the ringing
OF tho church bells. entered no church;
did not pray; strove not to think; all that
wished was that time would pass swiftly.
spoke to no man unless was spoken to;
never laid my hand with tenderness upon the
form of child or animal. In the days Of my
happiness was fond OF dogs and horses in
the days Of my misery they never excited
within my breast one pleasurable sensation.
My heart was turning into etonei and set
myself steadfastIy to the task Of banishing
from my mind every gentle continent that
strove to find lodgment there. OF my wife
and daughter I would. not thtnk-I would
not, would not There was between them
and me barrier which believed to be eter-
nal. How dare encourage even mental
association between those angels of purity
and q monster like myself I took bitter
pride In the carrying out Of these stern re-
solves: it proved that had not lost all sense
of manliness, and that could carry into ex-
ecution the sentence Of ruthless punishment
which was Justly my due. never looked q!
newspaper or printed page; the worlds
doings interested me no longer. Not only
was my heart turning into stone, but began
TO regard with aversion all living things.
Ono Sabbath was sitting in q churchyard;
! was tired and faint, and my feet were
blistered with walking over rough roads. 1t
belonged to my mood to choose ever the
stony paths.
They were singing In the church--a quaint
old church covered with ivy, in what part Of
England know not. l derived savage
pleasure In keeping myself purposely igno-
rant OF tho places through which travelled
Worn with fatigue, my oyelids closed, and
light slumber overlook me. 1t could have
lasted but short time, for when opened
my eyes / heard the singing still within the
church. What specially aroused mo was the
voice of one OF the singers. My wife had
Just such voice; its note of familiar sweet
uOSS btNhi tiCN i AoSOAOU III "OANCi' 1hS
singing ceased, and soon afterwards the con-
gregation issued from the church. scanned
them eagerly as they came forth for brief
space my sterner spirit did not assert itself.
had nc fear that should be recognized,
supposing that the voice which had impressed
me was that OF my wife. had seer my face
and form occasionally In clear water when
stopped to drink, and knew that had
grown out of all likeness OF myself. From
the night left my home had not shaved;
my matted hair, my wild eyes, my ragged
garments, placed me beyond the pale of REQ
ognition. SO, without fear. l gazed At the
faces OF the worshippers. My wife was not
among them. In little while the church
was emptied OF tho throng; and l was,
thought, alone again in the churchyard. But
was mistaken. man stood by my side.
He was of middle age; his face was benig.
nant, his voice was gentle. AS he moved and
spoke he seemed to be attended by the spirl
of charity.
"You seem In trouble" he said. "Can
help you in any wayf'
rose, cast q wrathful glance OF him, and
walked away from him. l did not turn TO
see but knew that he was looking otter
me.
Near the churchyard was lightly tim
bered wood. Thither wandered, eneom-
passed by silence. and threw myself upon
the ground at the foot OF tree. Taking
some bread from my pocket l ate It to keep
life within mo.
Ordinarily when was accosted by o
stranger my chief anxiety was to fly from
the neighborhood; but something chained
me to this spot. 1t may have been the voice
singing in the church, which / wished to
hear again; 1t may have been the manifest
kindness of the stranger who had accosted
me; but Ehad I questioned myself, I would
have acknowledged neither of these as the
cause of my lingering near the house of
worship. When evening came was still
there.
/ Twas not at so great distance from the
church that Icould not hear the singing at the
"a kf..