Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-09-02

ScrlptlOnS tnat Time nau STaNeu, anu
in which he had written legends of
wisdom that had been tested by the
tenor of a life. And Ernest had ceased
to be obscure. Unsought for, unde-
sired, had come the fame which so
many seek, and made him known in
the great world, beyond the limits of
the valley in which he had dwelt so
quietly. College professors, and even
the active men of cities, came from
far to see and converse with Ernest;
for the report had gone abroad that
this simple husbandman had ideas un-
like those Of other men, not gained
from books, but of a higher tone-a
tranquil and familiar majesty, as If he
had been talking with the angels as
his daily friends. Whether it were
sage, statesman, or phianthropist,
Ernest received these visitors with the
gentle sincerity that had characterized
him from boyhood. and spoke freely
with them of whatever came upper
most, or lay deepest in his heart or
their own. While they talked togeth-
er, his face would kindle, unawares,
and shine upon them, as with mild
evening light. Pensive with the full
ness of such discourse, his guests took
leave and went their way: and passing
up the valley, paused to look at the
Great Stone Face, imagining that they
IL IN, ht,,, n
countenance, but could not remember
where.
While Ernest had been growing up
and growing old, a bountiful Provi-
dence had granted a new poet to this
earth. He, likewise, was a native of
the valley, hut had spent the greater
part of his life at a distance from that
romantic region, pouring out his sweet
music amid the hustle and din OF
cities. Often, however, did the noun
tains which had been familiar to him
in his childhood lift their snowy peaks
into the clear atmosphere of his poetry.
Neither was the Great Stone Face for
gotten, for the poet had celebrated it
in an ode, which was grand enough to
have been uttered by its own majestic
lips. This man of genius, we may say,
had come down from heaven with
wonderful endOwments. If he sang OF
n mountain, the eyes of all mankind
beheld mightier grandeur repOsing on
it's breast, or soaring to its summit,
than had before been seen there. If
his theme were a lovely lake, celes-
tial smile had now bee thrown over
il, to CLEAN forever on its surface. If
il were the vast old sea, even the deep
immensity of its dread bosom seemed
to swell the higher, as if moved by
the emotions of the song. Thus the
world assumed another and a better
aspect from the hour that the poet
blessed it with his happy eyes. The
Creator had bestowed him, as the last
best touch to his own handiwork
Creation was not finished till the poet
came to interpret, and so complete it.
The effect was no less high and
beautiful, when his human brethren
were the subject of his verse The
man or woman, sordid with the COM
mon dust of life, who crossed his
daily path, and the little child who
played in it, were glOrified if he be-
held them in his mood of poetic faith.
He showed the golden links of the
great chain that intertwined them
with an angelic kindred; he brought
out the hidden traits of a celestial birth
that made them worthy of such kin.
Some, indeed, there were, who thought
to show the soundness of their judg-
ment by affirming that all the beauty
and dignity of the natural world en-
listed only in the poets fancy. Let
such men speak for themselves, who
undoubtedly appear to have been
spawned forth by Nature with a con-
tcmptuous bitterness: she having plas-
tered them up out Of her refuse stuff,
after all the swine were made. AS
respects all things else, the poets
ideal was the trueSt truth.
The songs of this poet found their
way to Ernest. He read them after his
customary toll, seated on the bench
before his cottage door. where for such
a length of time he had filled his re-
pose with thought, by gazing at the
Great Stone Face. And now as he
read stanZas that caused the soul to
thrill within him, he lifted his eyes to
the vast countenance beaming on him
So benignantly.
80 majestic friend" he murmurcd,
addressing the Great Stone Face, lis
not this man worthy To resemble
thee"
The Face seemed to smile, but an
swcred not word.
Now it happened that the poet.
though he dwclt So far away, had not
only heard Of Ernest, but had medi-
tated much upon his character, until
he deemed nothing so desirable as to
meet this man. who's" untaught wisdom
walked hand in hand with the noble
simplicity of his life. one summer
morning. therefore, he took passage by
the railroad, and, i'm the decline of the
Iaftrrnuun, alightcd from the cars at no
great distance from Erncst's cottage.
The great hotel, which had formerly
been the palace of Mr.. GathergOld, was
clos" at hand, but the poet. with his
carpet -hag on his arm. inquired at
once where Ernest dwclt and was re-
solved To be accepted as his guest.
Approaching the door. he there
found the good old man. holding a
v"lum" in his hand, which alternately
he read, and then, with a finger be-
tween the leaves. looked lovingly at
the Great Stone Face.
"Gnnd evening" said the poet. Can
yuu give a traveller a nights lodging?"
"Willingly," answered Ernest: and
then he added. smiling, "Mrthinks
never saw the Great Stone Face look
So hospitality at stranger
The poet sat down on the bench he
sid" him. and he and Ernest talked to-