Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-12-11
MEATH CuPID'S CHARM,

had quite successfully borne with
the demands of a long and active day,
had only few moments before reached
my comfortable office after n hearty
evening meal, and was seated cnzily
therein. having thrown myself into q
position of ease / felt myself fully justi-
fled in taking.
| There is a sort of abandon or feeling
of license which comes with the even
| ing over one who has battled strongly
with the requirements of n professional
life, and this is heightened, if anything.
by the peculiar satisfaction which fol-
lows Il well-iilled stomach and the hall
| lowing incense of fine cigar.
The mellow rays from my study-lamp
INTERVENING. piercing, and blending
! with the soft, ascending columns of
! buish-gray smoke, which first reaches
| upward, then expands, and gently
| descends as a delicate cloud of security
i say all this wins contcntment aud
with it disregard for the sterner con-
! ventioualiSm with which we otherwise,
and so almost constantly, clothe our
! selves.
felt such peace Of mind come over
me as half reclined in my easy-chair
and blew toward the ceiling long,
conical columns of fragrant smoke.
Ny fountain of thought was all but
etilled-the springs of ideation, for the
noncc, confined their wonted flow.
Yet not completely so, for my eyes
| wandered somewhat with the lighter
vein of lucubration, first to one thing,
then TO another.
Finally my vision rested for brief
period upon photographic likeness
of II sweet one whom | erstwhile count
ed dear and more.
For an instant my inner spirit was
given gladstone range.
Quickly did my mind revert to a
forwer time and revel in what had
been.
turned away however. and with
the same physical languidness still
about me stretched forth my hand and
grasped a book whose "dog-ears" in
Dictated IN uncompleted perusal -
though | had often read it before.
Twas the oft-gleaned "Reveries of
a Bachelor" and admit that the beau
tiful lines always came us balm to the
decorations of my heart which had
formerly refused to kindly heal.
Well into bachelordom was | now
plodding my way, though many times
with no light or joyous heart. But
these ~or,ls of 5rother-bachclor gave
me Il vast degree of comfort.
1t was this feeling-this sense of
screnity-which came and added meas
IRE to my peace as | again took up the
volume and began to devour its truths.
Yet that picture-which looked so
swcetly down upon. me-had brought
up memores-as, indeed, it had done
many times beforehand these memo
ries would not obey stern "begoue,"
but fingered upon the border lines of
less-holy thoughts.
read on, hoping to drown the re-
collection 10y sheer force of detcrmina-
ton. Line after line | eagerly drank
In seeking to obtain the deeper verities
which felt were buried there.
The light cleaned softly, my cigar
gave off thinner upward strand of
fragrance, although the cloud above APP
peared denscr, and holy stiffness as
of the deeper hours enwrapt all.
My eyes still followed the dimming
| lines, hut the words now came slowly
and yet more slowly.
Il wonder" thought /. as | dropped
| asleep. If married man with his
sentiment made actual is. after all, as
happy, rs happy, rs we poor poor fell
| lows in our our dreams
Hark! what gentle voice was thatp
A call came toward me, borne upon
| ahe stiffness of the night.
| listened, for again tha now clearer
notes sweetIy touched upon my ear.
'Hervcy! IIerveym now clear, dis
| tinct, and thrilling.
Yes. it was she. Yes Yes. 1t was
Madclne--my own dear Madeline.
CARRIED in delicate, flowing white, n
new-blown rose of exquisite tint at her
bosom, and those large. liquid eyes
| thrown fully upon me, what could be
my feelings but those of infinite joy?
We had wandered along the banks
of laughing stream; we had plucked
the half-htlden wild flower from its
messy bed; we had watched the CLEANS
| and little dots of dancing sunlight
coming through the brighter inter
| sticgs in the canopy ebove; we had
|
places to occupy. only to have the gilt
tering beams pass across our chests
aad make the palmer the ecstatic
throbbings of our frames; we had
caught the spirit which prompted the
free-bird to its offering of song; we
had thrown kisses at the reflection
upon the surface Of the placid pool; we
had graspcd each others hearts, us vel
as hands, ana thrilded on where al
was peace, and love, and beauty.
That was but yesterday
Today but time Is nothing to US.
II is not measured. To us it is not 1
quantity.
Twas but a moment ago | saw her
and vet you call it yesterday.
Is her spirit no. my spirit? Is she
not with me constantly? Though space
forbid the eye its feast, yet is the mind
not filled?
Ali! Yesterday for worldlings: to-day
-nsv-and to-Ihorrow = the coming
now-for me.
Sit here. Madeline. | heard your
loving call and my heart had played q
rapid response.
How beautiful you are tonight
Tomorrow! Tomorrow
All! tomorrow makes US one. Yet
methinks. no word of mouth, no hol,
liturgy. no purer essence of saintec
sanctuary, can render closer our bound
ms hearts.
OH the rapture and boundlessnesl
of Godgiven love!
Come nearer dear Your hand feel,
cold; or is it that my own is oyerheatet
from the glowing-from the fever-o
affection within me?
Let MS talk abont our life not lives
Have attended to all the details
Have prepared the little home?
Why ask me? Why think of sucl
things. They are earthly. Yet yes
they are belongings. They are a par
OF Che whole, although SO material.
= But you were not with me when tn