The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-06-03
FROM THE GRAVE.
BY ANNA SHIELDS

y c.
but, knowing l have not many days
left of this earth's weary pilgrimage,
! write out the experience that has
made me a poor man and d lonely one,
though humbly trust, not useless
Cne.
Nearly 25 years ago l settled in
Gresham, a village then, and taking its
name from the founder, who was also
my uncle, Peter Gresham. He had
written to me, when | graduated from
the medical college, where he had paid
all my expenses as student, that he
would give me cottage in the village
and $500 in money, but after that must
make my own way.
The offer was a generous continu-
ancc of kindness shown to NE from boy
hood, when | was left all orphan and
penniless. l gladly accepted it, and
went at once to Gresham, where my
only rival was a practitioner nearly so
years old, DR.. Farnell, who occupied
a cottage directly opposite to mine.
Being in easy circumstances and very
feeble, Dr. Farnell was more than will
ing to send me patients, until, gradual
ly, | found he had transferred the whole
practice of the village to my care.
He took from the first friendly in
terest in my welfare, and gave me much
useful advice and information, his long
experience rendering all he impaired
OF great value to a young physician.
Scarcely an evening passed but found
me at his cottage to discuss the cases
Of the day, in each and all of which he
took keen professional interest.
But, before | had been a year in
Gresham, found my professional talks
formed but secondary interest in
my visits to DR.. Farnell's cottage.
When these were over, and the aged
doctor dozed in his chair, or nodded
over book, Leonie Farnell, his grand
daughter and housekeeper, would touch
the piano keys to accompany her sweet,
clear voice in my favorite songs, or
would talk to me in her womanIy way
OF the patients, who were all friends
OF her own, many Of them her pension
ers. Let me try, looking through the
clouds that rolled soon between US, to
picture Lconie Farnell as she was in
mat hrst year of my !ove'for her. My
love, say, for it spraug into my heart
strong and undying the first time her
soit, brown eyes met mine in shy greet
ing.
Che was pretty, but no wonder of
beauty, her great charm lying in her
grace of movements, her low, sweet
voice ard gentle, refined modesty
one had been carefully educated, but
nad no brilliant accomplishments, un-
less gift of making home an altogeth-
er charming place may rank in that cat
sgory. Orphaned in infancy, she had
oeeh the darling Of her grandfather's
neart, but, dearly as he loved her, he
was never averse to my suit. He read
my hearts secret even before | guessed
us depth, and in his quiet way favored
'ne friendship between Leonie aud my
self.
"a year, the one bright year in my
schtsry life, passed away, and l pre-
P1'eo 10 speak to Leon;e of my love
had waited until felt secure of nv
positlon at Gresham, and | hoped to
%"nen some warmer token of love on
Leohie part For even then | guessed
oimly' what know, and soon knew Ger
.uinly' that | had won only a calm, sis
,efiy affection in return for the absorb
"s devotion of my heart.
1 nave said nothing yet of my inter
seorse with my Uncle Gresham, the
s4ahoee OF the little village, whose
'arSe, handsome house was the center
VI attraction to all strangers, and whose
neoMe was supposed to be something
VI almost fabulous extent, and really
vas that of very wealthy man.
!Durlns that first bright year of nv
lle IN the village he had started, nv
Intercourse with my uncle was as pleas
ant as all other parts of my life, and
was frequent and welcome visitor
at his house.
out Ii one brief sentence | NAV re-
ecfo the event that wrought a change
~ al-ny love, my friendships, nv
Se,eome ". 1T Gresham Place. Nv cousin.
e.uney, Uncle Gresham's only child
cane home from Eurone. where he had
wen travelling Scr aqs years,
sssh |Hs mo:asnt wheu hs crossed