The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-11-25
Youth vs.. Experience
IOrieinal1

Mrs. Wardwell sat working on a
eenterpiece. A fire of hickory logs
blazed cheerfully on the hearth; the big
lamp on the table gave ample light.
There was comfort, but there was ST.
lenee. Not even the canary hoped on
bis perch. He had been carefully Gov
cred and had gone to sleep with his
head under his wing.
Suddenly the front door was thrown
open, and young girl came quickly
through the hall and threw herself into
Mrs. Wardwells arms. There was a
sob as the young head sank upon the
woman's breast
Lucy, dear, what is it? Has Henry
been acting badly7p
Yes, Aunt Sara; very badly. He
was to have taken me to the theater
tonight At the last moment he sent
me the tickets. suggesting that / get
some friend to go with me"
what reason did he giveT
'None. lie said he wobld explain
when he saw me again"
There was q long pause, during which
the elder woman seemed to be think
ing. At last she said:
you know, Lucy, that / proved by
experience that what poets have sung
Of from time immemorial as blissful
love is for many If not all Of as pro
ductive Of misery. You know some
thing Of my past sufferings, but not
ALL When / was your age I had a
lover to whom gave my whole heart
He Tilted me. Then several years
later / married a man who ran away
with another woman. This was worse
than the first case In that I found
out the treachery in time. In this l
was bound by the law. Besides, was
the mother Of children"
The lady's voice trembled at the last
sentence, and there was a pause-a
pause expressive Of grief.
And nOwT' asked the girl.
And now it is all over. The dear lit.
tie things are at rest, where neither a
brutal father nor a harsh world can
harm them. For. the first time since /
began to love 1 am content If my
hobby is not so absorbing as having
my heartstrings played upon, it is at
beast a more reliable interest. When
the doorbell rings I'm not afraid Of
some dire message. I sit here six even
ings in seven plying my needle, my
mind occupied with new designs, while
my fingers are employed in executing
those already thought out"
And you would advise me to give up
loveg
You know my eXperience-the expe-
rienee Of many others-and can decide
for yourself"
Again there was silence, during
which the girl was absorbed in
thought. Presently she said:
Aunt Sara, I shall take advantage
OF your experience. shall never for
give Henry-never, never"
"He may give you q good excuse for
his seeming slight
THAT will make no difference. I am
convinced that love-at least unless
ones lover is true and tendeh-means
misery. What folly for me to subject
myself TO a lifetime Of suffering such
as I have had this evening"
You are wise, NY little girl-wise
beyond your years. While would not
advise you, now that you have made
your decision, I heartily approve Of It.
You viii be saved a life Of misery. All
you have to do is to find some work in
which to interest yourself. Take up
charity, art. music. anything that You
have a taste for. and you viii ind it
shield against that passion which, like
disease, attacks the weakest Love IS q
parasite that feeds upon young, unde-
veloped, inexperienced people"
"Oh, Aunt Sara, how fortunate I am
in having the benefit Of your expert
encei / am fully resolved to profit by
it. Henry has shown again and again
that he is unworthy Of confidence. Ny
life with him would be a succession Of
miseries."
do you feel perfectly sure that you
viii not change your mindg7
Perfectly. / am resolved TO devote
myself to art. That is m, only natural