The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1891-01-08
HER TRIUMPH.


Our city was so small and the pipe
organ so large that it was an elephant on
our hands, as good organists had to be
hired from other cities at large expense,
the only player in Hubbard being the
one whu manipulated the Presbyterian
organ, which instrument we had tried to
outshinc. We were Methodists.
I At the end of two years, during which
we had endured any number of organ
lists, good, bad and indifferent (mostly
the latter, l was delighted one summer
Sunday morning, upon eutering the
church, to hear real music, and surveyed
with some curiosity the small figure of a
young woman about twenty years old on
the organ stool. She did not attempt
anything intricate, but the music was all
majestic, soulful, religious.
A few weeks later, one the trustees
asked me if we could give the new or
ganist room at our house, adding that
possibly sister and myself might find her
pleasant companion in our little home.
She had been in town about six mouths,
writing in IA insurance office, but she
objected to boarding house and wished
to get into private family.
She came to us quietly: every -inch-a.
lady. You might not call her pretty,
but she had speaking eyes which made
you forget everything else when she
looked at you. They were bright when
she was in conversation, but I soon
noticed that when she was not animated
they were sad, and l fell to wondering
what sorrow had befallen her so early in
life. She was pleasant and helpful but
not confidential, and nothing eventful
occurred until just after the holidays
when she came in quite excited, saying
that one of her young friends at home
was to be married the next week, and she
had leave of absence for n fortnight.
She had said very little about her family,
but knew she had sent them Christ
mas box, so if thought anything of her
emotion, it was for the joy of going
home.
II was surprising-the vacancy she
left in our house, and you may be sure
We welcomed her return with much
Ninth. But though she evidently ap-
preciated our feelings toward her, I OBJ
served that she was making 4 great effort
to control herself. Thinking she was
suffering from homesicHness. raped at
her door in the evening to ask if she
cared for my society little while. She
was weeping so violently that she could
scarcely speak, and when put my arm
about her she burst out:
80, Miss Van Zandt, if l could only
talk to you--:o scmc oue--who would
help me-to bear it--and tell me--what
10 do! 0 dear! o dear"
By soothing words and pats, assisted
her to something like calmncss, and
while did not urge her TO talk, she
understood that my sympathies were
with her.
Finally she told Inc that she had had
warm feelings toward young man two
years her senior, since she was sixteen,
but that he had tired of her apparently,
or being influenced by another young
lady. For year she suffered torments
at home, and then came to Hubbard to
see whether time and absence would not
kill her affection or bring back his. It
seemed to have done neither, for she had
met him at the wedding she had just at
tended, and although he had expressed
pleasure at meeting her again, he-did not
seek her society and his time was occu-
pied with her rival. And SO sheIfelt her
long trip had been for naught ,ana while
her Judgment told her to forget him, her
rebellious heart clung to her girlhood's
lover.
What could say to comfort herr?
Nothing, excepting that God knew
best, and probably that this great dark
ness was but the forerunner of glorious
dawn.
After this she spent most of her time
after tea playingth the organ at the church,
and believe it was soothing outlet for
her pent up feelings. often went into
church 10 enjoy the exquisite melody
which floated out under Der fingers.
Sometimes she used such selections as
Gottschalks s "Serenade,' Jungrnann' 5
''Hemweh," or Marston's "Slumber
Song" but more frequently it was her
own improvisation.
One evening through the dusk l dis
ocrncd another listener, who, however,
slipped away before l could identify him.
This occurred several times, until I placed
myself where could see his face IS he
passed, when 1 recognized him as Law
renee Roberts, whom I had known from
boyhood. He had recently been ap-
kpointed teacher Of science in the High
3Sahool, and wise men said hi twas des-
ID 10 make his mark in som