The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-02-10
AN AWAKENING.
BY EnOch Dixon.
| BACHELOR is much given to refle,

A BACHELOR is much given to ref1ec-
~ ton. 1t comes after time to be
one of the few real pleasures of his eX-
tstence. Surrounded by the bare fur
nishings of a bachelors quarters, the
stiffness and uncomfortablenes of it
leads from a realization of what is to
a dream of what might have been. I'm
consciously the habit grows until its
satisfaction becomes as necessary as
the satisfaction of a carnal appetite.
| have lived to the age of 43, unloved
and unloving, fancy free, except that
the usual attachments which come to
everyone of healthy body and mind
have been mine. l had always intended
to marry. have appreciated women
fully. l have worshiped at the shrine
of femininity, but always in the gen.
eral rather than the particular. My
drifting away from gentle attention to
the fair sex has been gradual, if at
all. There still remains a pleasure in
speaking those soft and gentle words
which bring the blush of pleasure to
fair cheeks and the sparkle of self-sat-
isfaction to timid and downcast eyes
There is still a Joy in measuring the
accomplishments of the latest belle, to
kindly overlook her faults or excuse
them, and to choose for her a husband
from among my friends. Somehow,
however, there has come a crustiness
and spirit of pessimism which is a
bar to the consideration of any young
lady in connection with any future in
which I might have a share.
That was until tonight.
This evening 1 dined with a happy
couple, not long since married In my
goodness of heart 1 had picked them
out one for the other and brought
them together. He and | had spent
our school days as comrades, and in
those times were inseparable. The
same rod had corrected US for part
nership truancy, and we had together
often paid the penalty for the despoil-
ment of neighbours watermelon patch
had tried his consistency and friendship
and found them true. l met her in the
south. was off for vacation, making
the journey lazily on a palatial Mis-
sissippi river steamboat. She came
aboard at little landing, chaperoned
by big, good-natured, careless broth
er and attended by a colored maid. l
was attracted by the freshness of her
beauty, and we became good friends.
When | came back north | told Fred Of
her, and my eulogy aroused his inter
est. The next spring we went south
together, met Marian at her home ard
Cupid scored another victory. Nor was
the little rascal laggard. Fred tar
ried for two months. and within the
year they were married. l am their
best friend, and tonight I dined with
them. AT the parting Marian quietly
asked: Frank, why haven't you ever
married."
That query aroused new senti-
ment-gave a new cause for reflection.
l wandered slowly to my bachelor
apartments, filed and lighted my pipe
elevated my feet few inches more than
was customary and seriously repeated
the question in my mind.
Yes, why haven't 1 married? 1t was
an honest question, propounded in a
spirit of friendship, and [ would have
an answer for Marian the next time we
met.
AS the smoke slowly curis toward
the ceiling l see the shadow of a face
"a tender, youthful countenance-and
a flood of memory from early days
comes to me. Let's see-yes, | was IL
years old then, just beginning to realize
that there was difference between pet
ticoats and trousers, and to feel the
pangs of bashfulness. Rose was, if my
memory does not deceive me. a pretty
girl. Her name might have been chosen
for the color of her cheeks they were
so bright, and her chestnut hair re-
fused to be confined by any method of
control. She was the first in every game
at school, tall for her years, supple and
full of energy. never joined the circle
of which she was part or passed her
home in getting to mine if could help
it. 1t seemed to me she was sacred.
and | shrank from profaning her with
the accidental touch of my hand or
glance which could be avoided. really
thought l loved her. was happy for
days if she gave me a glance, and
blushed with confusion if she smiled at
me. Once l bribed my brother to drop
a note, tender avowal of passion, at
her fathers gate, but an elder sister
found it, and l was glad when we moved
away from that village. Tat ives as
near as came to marrying Rose.
My pipe had gone out, and as l re-
lighted it new face appears amid the
smoke. 1t is Irene. / knew her at
once, for there is no installing those
black, lustrous eyes, that open, frank
countenance nor the firm determination
of that full chin. How we became sweet
hearts l cannot tell, but 1 think the fire
had long smoldere and Mas fam ed to