The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-02-04
AN AWAKENING.
BY EnoCf1 Dixon.
.l''i'','r,''''''
A BACHELOR is much given to refiec-

-
II ton. 1t comes after a time to be
one of the few real pleasures of his ex-
istence. Surrounded by the bare fur
nshings Of a bachelors quarters, the
stiffness and uncomfortabeness of it
leads from a realization Of what is to
dream of what light have been. Un-
consciously the habit grows until its
satisfaction becomes as necessary as
the satisfaction of 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. ! had always intended
to marry. | have appreciated women
fully. | have worshiped at the shrine
Of femininity. but always in the gem
era rather than the particular. Nv
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 ewes.
There is still joy in measuring the
accomplishments of the latest belle. to
kindly overlook her faults or excuse
them, and to choose for her 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
| mi
That was until tonight.
This evening dined with a happy
couple, not long since married. In nv
goodness of heart I 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
hership truancy. and we had together
olten paid the penalty for the despoil-
ment of neighbor's watermelon patch.
mad tried his constancy and friendship
and found them true. I met her In the
south. | was off for vacation, making
'he journey lazily on a palatial Mis-
sIsslppi river steamboat. She came
ABOARD at little landing. chaperoned
py big good-natured. careless broth
ef and attended by a colored maid.
was attracted by the freshness Of her
beauty, and we became good friends.
"uen came back north tod Fred Of
her' and my eulogy aroused his inter-
EST. The next spring we went south
together, met Marian at her home and
Iupia scored another victory. Nor was
'ne httie rascal laggard. Fred tar
ileu lor two months, and within the
year they were married. ! am their
u.s' Trend, and tonight / dined with
snem, Al the parting Marian quietly
asked Frank, why haven't you ever
mat query aroused a new senti-
nt-gave new cause for reflection.
wandered slowly to my bachelor
apar'ments, filled and lighted my pipe,
e-e'ated my feet few inches more than
Vas customary and seriously repeated
'ne question in my mind.
ies' why haven't l married? It was
an homes: question. propounded in a
pit OF friendship, and | would have
met. ''iA@ We
>, AS the smoke slowly curls toward
@ eeinng ] see the shadow of face
tender, youthful countenance-and
oo ou OF memory from early DAYS
,aa" 20 me. Let's see-yes. was IL
;ears ,t old then, just beginning to realize
,ia. mere was difference between pet
neoats and trousers, and to feel the
rs OF oashfulaess. Rose was. if nv
r;.i "ory Goes not deceive me. pretty
q, iier name might have been chosen
So 'ne color of her cheeks, they were
fpsas 'gnt' and her chestnut hair re-
cont, 70 oe @ confined by any method of
At uol .a She was the first N every game
fplI lItsool' ns tall for her years, supple and
Of = sh, 81 energy. l never joined the circle
boma i.n she was part nor passed he.
q 40 getting to mine If could help
ana ~ seemed to me she was sacred.
the sarank from profaning her with
elapcs ,uental touch of my hand or
tbona," winch could be avoided. really
sssa sUaght loved her. was happy for
bIS',i u she gave me a glance and
n. Sueo 60 with confusion If she smiled at