People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-30
"Wen, a month then. A week is

"Well, a month then. A week Is
mighty little time, sure enough"
protested against this generous ar
rangement, not very heartily, suspect,
for ! did want to rest in that quiet
haven of peace. oh, so much. The old
couple refused to hear any objection ]
offered, but carried everything their
own way, and in the end was COM
PEELED to agree to remain one week.
Reader, cannot tell, neither can
you imagine, what that week was to
me. 1t is an impossibility to attempt
portrayal of the happiness ! expert
enced in those seven short days which
went by like ieeting CLEANS Of dazzling
brightness. For the first time in my
life ! occupied an atmosphere of love.
For the first time within my recollection
| lived and breathed in an atmosphere
of kindness. The old life of slavery
and persecution was gone, and not
vestige of it remained to mar the pleas
ure of my new existence.
The contrast between the old and the
new was so great that | could hardly
believe ! was in the same world.
Where before | had been compelled to
toll through long days Of weary drudg-
cry, now had naught to do but amuse
myself in idleness. Where before | had
been urged to greater exertion by
scolding words and cruel blows, / was
now restrained by gentle threats and
loving kindness. Where before ! had
known nothing but neglect, and my
needs received no consideration, ] was
now an object Of the tenderest solicit
tude aud my wishes were OWNED and
gratiied without the asking. The
change was so great, the contrast so
marked, that | could scarcely believe it
real. 1t seemed more like a beautiful
dream, and at times found it difficult
to persuade myself that it was not.
The kindness of the parents was ably
seconded by the son. He was a very
busy man, | judged, for he idled at
home very little, but when he was at
the house he seemed anxious to add to
my comfort and pleasure, never losing
an opportunity to favor me with such
little attentions as he could with pro-
priety render. Nor was he unmindful
of me when away, for often he brought
me some rare species Of wild flower or
some curious plant of the prairie which
he presented in such way as TO pre-
clude all idea Of familiarity or boorish-
ness.
The more knew Charles Cornell the
better l liked him. In my esteem he
grew more noble and grand every day.
He possessed the same generous nature,
the same kind impulses, that character
lied his father and mother, and yet he
was so firm, so manly and so broad in
tellectually. looked upon him with an
admiration akin to hero worship. 1t
seemed to me his character was so
noble, his bearing so grand, that he
must inevitably command the respect
and even the love of those with whom
he met
The truth is, reader, l had nearly
fallen in love with Charles Cornell.
say very nearly, because | felt toward
him as one does not feel toward a
friend simply, yet did not feel for him
all one feels for lover. should have
loved him with all the ardor of my
soul had it not been for one thing.
was in love already. Will Hanley's
image was in my heart. For three
years l had not seen my boy friend,
and was young when we parted, yet
loved him then dearer than life and
my love had endured through the long
separation.