The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-06-30
THE STORY OF INNOCENCE
PARABLE,
Miss Fanny Killindef,

the city, l fingered moment on the
top of a hill to drink in the beauty
that lay below. AS in cradle Of
rocks lay a beautiful garden, and in
its aowery bed a white cottage. A
fairer picture Nature never held up
for the mans admiration.
Reclining on a ledge of rock, l
gazed on that lovely scene until it's
beauty entering my soul soothed it's
restless craving, and l slept and
dreamed of that cottage and garden.
A fair young girl came out from the
cottage and paced slowly to and fro
in the garden. She took no heed Of
the flowers around her, not even of
those she crushed beneath her feet.
From time to time she lifted her
head and strove to look over the
garden wall, but she could not see,
for the wall was high. Then she
stood and looked at the wall, exam
lining it ali round until she found g.
door, and in eager delight she ran
to open it, thinking that at last she
would see the world outside, but to
her dismay she found she could not
open the door. Turning away, she
sat down in a shady arbor and burst
into tears. Presently I saw a man
approach the door from the outside,
insert a key in the lock, open the
door, and enter the garden. The
girl, hearing his foot steps and won
dering who he might be, rose and
went to meet him.
After a kindly greeting, the man
thus addressed the maiden:
my child what is the matter? I
see you have been weeping"
80. sir!" she cried, ST am tired of
this garden and I want to get out
into the world"
us that all?"
Eyes, sir!"
"Then come with me and I will
take you out. My name is Pleasure
and l travel about from place to
place seeking youths and maidens
who know not the joys of this world
that may take them to the City OF
Pleasure. What is your name?"
Innocence sir" the girl replied
"Will you take me out to the City
OF Pleasure? I should love to co.
Eyes, come along with me-
Innocence followed and they were
soon outside the garden.
In my dream I followed Pleasure
and Innocence as by innumerable
pathways they approached a large
and beautiful city, whose domed and
spired buildings, towering high, gilt
tered white and golden in the sun
shine. The sound Of music ant
laughter floating across the field!
from the city delighted Innocence
At last saw they reached the cit,
and paused before a gate bearing
the inscription, "The City Of Pleas
ure. Enter and be merry!"
Pleasure gave the passW ord ant
the gates swung open. Night wa
beginning to fall as they entered tn,
city, and Pleasure said, Innocence
do you love music?
Dearly" she replied.
"Then come with me- Thus say
ing, he led her along one OF tn
broad streets and into the billiantl
lighted music hall. They sat dow
in full view Of gaudily dresse,
stage. and Innocence looked roun,
on a vast crowd of men and women
Presently there was a burst Of music
the orchestra strGck up a popula
tune: the artists appeared, sang an
danced, and delighted the audience
while Innocence sat captivated b
the brilliancy Of everything aroun
her. When the entertainment wa
ended, the audieLce retired to othe
parts of the building. some to ge
refreshments and others to dance
but Innocence said she must go HON
al it was getting late Pleasur
ed as he said. "HaYe you ha
ssraedy?"