The Weekly Star from Plymouth, Pennsylvania • 1

3 VOL. XII-NO. 48. PLYMOUTH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1881. WHOLE NO.

621. A BOUNDLESS CEMETERY. Written for the Star. Hm THAT OTEBCOJIETH. I BY H.

HAtWARD. that overcometh will I Tntto sit iK me in my throne, even as I alo overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Riv 8:31. From this promise Bojinsplring- What a radiant hope is cast, 4s it cheers, us through the conflict By the thought of rest at last For when life's great work is ended. And its journey all is o'er.

Then for "him that overcometh" There's a glorious rest in store. And Christ's weary, waiting children. Keeping now that rest In sight, Longing, earnest to posses it, face and voice lioth full of unspoken love. How changed it all seemed! 1 was indeed in a new world, a world in which there was no Charley Vane. There was no lingering now by the old stile.

1 saw him helping Miss Grayson to get over it. He never looked back forme. Then my attention was drawn to an animated dialogue going on near me between Miss 1 hirst -ami her cousin. The frequent repetition ot my own name drew my thoughts to the speakers. "Mr.

Vane seems certainly captivated by Miss Grayson," was Miss Hurst's comment. "I thought that he was engaged to Laura Villars." said her cousin. "They are always together." "Oh no," replied Miss Hurst, "nothing of the kind. Those childish flirtations seldom come to anyting. They have licen like brother and sister ever jitternessof my heart, "he has known ne all these years, and now this beautiful stranger has come, with her sweet onile, and has taken his heart from All the brightness seemed gone from lie sunshine; listlessly the flowers I fcul gathered fell from my grasp.

1 sat tjown on the grass, ami covered my face with my hands. Hot, bitter tears, fell from my eyes. was lost in the first real sorrow Iliad ever known. I was already in a new world. "Miss suddenly a voice called near hie, "1 beg your pardon for disturbing you.

Are you ill? 1 have been standing here for some time, but you did not hear me." "No, I did not hear you, Mr. Hurst," I replied, without moving; I am tired, want to rest a few minutes before we walk home." "I have ventured to bring you these violets," lit' continued, sttin down lie- a fashionable London lady cares for first violets as much as we do?" "It is a change for her," replied Charley; "one cannot always live in a hotlted of fashion. See, they are here! Mrs. IIuBst will introduce you to her." There stood before me a beautiful girl about my own height; and. strange to say.

she wore, as I did, a Mack lace shawl and" a white bonnet. The similarity in our dress struck me at once. She gave me a sweet, cordial smile, and held out her hand. "Oh, I am so glad to meet you, Miss she said. "Mrs.

Hurst has spoken so muck of you." She had, indeed, a lovely face, and a bright, sunny smile. I could detect no trace of the fashionable lady in her. She seemed delighted at the prospect of gathering violets, and the excitement of having to search for them added to the pleasure. Ilillington Rough was celebrated for its violets; they bloomed there long before they were to be found in any other place. It was considered amongst us something worthy of note to discover the first; and to present any one with those first gathered, was equivalent to any amount of leclarations.

AVe went on through the fields and by the woods, Charley the life of the party; I walked charmed by every word, at his side. When we reached the green hillock, known by the name of Ilillington Rough, we separated, each to search in his or her own way. "Charley," said Valentine Hurst, "I challenge you. I will wager anything not very considerable that I discover the first violets." "That you shall not do if I can prevent it," said Charley, "for I want them particularly myself." "What for, Charley?" said Valentine. "Excuse the, question." "I can tell you!" cried Minna Hurst; "it is, that he may give them to the lady be loves best." "It is just so, replied Charley, a bright flush crimsoning his fair, young face; "they are fitting emblems," he continued; imitating her accent, "of the lady I love best." Miss Grayson smiled at his reply, and then we all dispersed in different directions.

Charley and I walked down the hill together. "What do you think of Miss Grayson, Charley?" I asked. "She is very beautiful," lie replied, "and emiabla, I should imagine, from the sweet expression of her eyes and lips." I felt hardly pleased at his very energetic reply. I think I did not care to know that he had taken so much notice of the stranger; A glimpse of something purple, half hidden in the green grass, drew me from my companion's side. too, had my reasons, for wishing to discover the first violets.

There they were, so modest and so lovely, fragrant, and sweet; I gathered them eagerly, and wandered away with my prize. At the end of Ilillington Rough there stands cluster of old trees. It was under their shade we met and rested when our task was accomplished. I was walking slowly to our rendezvous, when I saw-Miss Grayson come from the fields on the other side of the hill, and stand to rest beneath the trees. I was going quickly to join her, to show my treasure and examine hers, when I saw Charley with a beautiful bouquet of violets, most tastefully arranged in their dark green leaves, rapidly approaching her.

I was then near enough to distinguish every word, though unseen by either. Miss Grayson was standing, looking at Burdale woods, so that Charley could not see her face. "See!" said lie, coinir un to her. "I finite amusement, when he was young, Charley always wore one of the Scotch caps, with a silver thietle in front; every time he left me, or saw me, the cap was raised, and Charley's golden head bowed as deferentially as though I were an empress. I can never remember the time when we did not love each other.

We grew from childhood to youth. I become a young lady, whose education was said to be finished; and Charley having won the highest prizes in the collegiate school of the neighoring town, began to study medicine. lie had decided to follow his father's example, and become doctor of Hendley." I do not remember now that, in our long walks and conversations, we ever spoke of love. It seemed to be an understood thing; in all pic-nics, dances, parties, I was, by some natural arrangement, Charley's partner. It was a pretty idyl, but the tragic part had yet to come.

One beautiful afternoon in the early spring I sat dreaming at the drawing-room window. I remember the whole scene, as though it had happened only yesterday. The sun was shining brightly and the air wrts soft and balmy. I was watching the snowdrops and spring flowers blooming in the garden, and thinking, (ah who can write the myriad thoughts of the young girl, when spring tide inspires them!) when one of my little sisters ran into the room, crying out "Laura, here is a note from Mr. Vane! The man is waiting for an answer." It contained these few lines: "Dear Laura.

Will you join us in a walk to Ilillington Rough? We are going to look for some first violets. We will call for you at two." I smiled happily to myself as I pictured going this bright sunny day with Charley. I knew the fields we must cross, and the woods we should pass, and I ran away with a heart as happi-8saiCQuld make it, to dress myself for the expedition. Of course I stood still for a few moments to ponder upon what I should wear. Some strange fatality led me to select a black lace shawl and a pretty white bonnet, of which I was proud.

What sorrow has not that choice of a toilette cost me! We were a merry party; Charley-Vane's two sisters were there, and his cousin, who was supposed to admire Miss Vane exceedingly. Two or three other young friends joined us. Charley ffered me his arm, and we walked slowly, for we were talking earnestly; the others were all before us. We came at last to my favorite nook; I see it now in my dreams. It was an old-fashioned stile, standing underneath the shade of two very large trees; a pool of clear, deep water lay near it; the fields all around were like a green sea studded with gold; in the distance were the dark woods of Uurdale.

The branches of the trees met, and formed a most beautiful arch. I never saw a more lovely picture than this scene presented in the Hummer time. The golden sunshine, the green trees, the clear water, and the numberous wild flowers that filled the air with their fragrance, all combined to produce a fairyland. This was my favorite walk. The stile was low, and I used to sit upon it while Charley, leaning against the trunk of the tree, made cowslip balls and woodbine wreaths for me.

It was there we used to linger to talk, for Charley was clever and intellectual, and delighted in teaching me all that he learned himself. The happiest hours of my life have been spent at that old stile. We stayed there as usual; I sat down upon the stile, and Charley stootLwth one elbow leaning uion it. We were, greatly to our own satisfaction, engaged in making a grand classification of poets, musicians, and painters. How well I rememlxir Charley's bright, glowing face! Once or twice I found myself admiring it so much, that I forgot what he was saying.

Ah, me! it was long before I saw that same face so bright and happy again. Suddenly, upon the brow of thcliill. I saw two or three people; they were evidently coining to join us. "Charley!" I cried, (most irreverently interrupting a learned dissertation on the mental assimilation of Beethoven and (Joethe,) "who are those ladies? They are coming to sjx'ak to us." "I quite forgot, Laura," said lie. "How stupid lam! It was Valentine Hurst and his sisters who proposed this violet hunt.

They have a visitor at their house, a Miss Grayson, said to be Kxilnct San and lx-ad World Whirl ing through Sparc. Prom the New York Hun. "I have Ix'en watching the star called the Winking Demon," said the astronomer, as he extended his hand to piITl the reporter upon the roof. ''These autumn mornings are little chilly, but tho air is so deliciously pure and clear that one doseu't mind if it bites a little. Hesides, it is worth the risk of catch.

ing cold to see the demon wink. You are just in time to watch him as he gradually rc-oix'iis his eye. If you had come a few minutes earlier you might have seen him shut it." Where is this remarkable Demon star?" "There, almost overhead at this hour. If you want to point him out to your friends 011 have only to observe that he is a little south of that bending row of stars that marks the constellation Perseus, and that there is a little group of smaller stars near him. Now, you see, his light is pretty faint, but not so faint as it was a few minutes ago.

In threo'or foiir hours his eye willbe-wido open again, and he will shine as a star of the second magnitude. These wink ings of Algol, or the Demon, occur a little oftener than once in three days." 'What causes them i 'Ah, now you come to the strangest thing of all. Is there anything in tho appearance of the sky, all glittering with stars, that suggests to your mind that it may be a vast cemetery? No, ridiculous! you say. Very well, louwill not dispute that the earth we tread is, from one part of view, only a vast bury- ing-ground, which contains the remains not only of countless generations of men, but of whole races and tribes of various animals and plants. so in thehcav- ns about us the dead are mingled with the living.

It is to my mind the most suggestive discovery of modern astro nomy that the universe is full of dead suns suns whose light has gone out, whose fires have been extinguished, and which no longer shed life-giving and life-preserving rays upon the worlds that may be imagined yet circling in coldness and gloom about them. What has this to do with the Winking Why everything. I believe it is generally conceded, though Professor Ncwcomb seems to dissent, that the variations in the light of Algol are caused by some huge dark body revolv ing around it at frightful rate of speed. There are other variable stars whose phenomena can be accounted for in the same way. In the case of Algol there is evidence that the dark body is rapid-ly approaching the star, drawing nearer with every circle.

When it strikes, if it is to strike, who can picture the extent of that catastrophe Then, indeed, that mysterious dark body will become visible, blazing with the light of a hundred suns and unable to escape from tho fiery 'destruction that it has brought upon the star. "Are there any other dark bodies like this known to astronomers "Oh, yes; the great star Sirius Is accompanied by a huge, body of the kind. It is not altogether dark, for with largo telescojxis it can occasionally be seen glimmering faintly close to the star. Astronomers knew it was there before they got a glimpse of it, for it caused disturbances in the proper motion of the star. Another of these dark bodies which astronomers are sure no human eye ever saw it, is dogging the star Procyon, one of tho brightest in the sky.

You may see tho star now low down in the east, north of Sirius and below the twins. The invisible body that hovers about it is evidently of large size, for it causes considerable perturbations in the star's motion. It may once have been a sun as brilliant as Procyon itself, but now not aray comes from i Stil 1 astronomers can point out the changes in its position, as its attraction pulls the star now this way and now that. "If space is filled with these mysterious dark bodies, collisions between them and living, or light-giving, suns are not impossible. You know that our sun is in rapid motion, carrying his family of worlds along with him in his flight.

So all the stars are instinct with motion. Our lives are so short, and their distances are so great, that wo can hardly appreciate these motions, yet they are swift lx'yond comprehension. Some of the stars are approaching, others receding, all moving in some direction. Tho constellations whose forms are so familiar to us are falling to pieces like card-houses( In a few thousand years them will be no Great Dipper, no Orion with OOMTIHUBO CM tlOITB PAO Stand up bravely mind the fight; For their leader Journeys with thein, And his tanner o'er them waves. They trust in His love and guidance, Knowing those He loves He saves.

The reward and glorious resting They who "overcome shall know, Will repay for all their trials While they Journey here below For the promise still assures us, When the mortal is laid down. There's for "Iim that overcometh," A Stat with Jesus in his throne. First Violets. RY BERTHA M. CI.AY.

Author of "Dora Thorne "Thrown on the World tn "The Duke'a etc. I CHAPTER I. They look withered and dried, these two little bouquets of violets; stillthere is attached to them the history of a love and a life. They were purple once, and glistened with fresh dewdrops; the sweetest fragrance hung around them, aud the fairest bloom was upon them. Xow, faded and dead, they still tell me the old story, fresh as though I had only known it yesterday.

My girlhood pissed happily enough auder my parents' roof. I was one of a large ftherihough not a rich man, had an income sufficient to maintain us in the greatest comfort. Our home was in Hendley, a small market town in one of the midland counties. As is usual in small market towns, every one knew every body else; and a stranger visiting the place was considered as a person of the greatest importance. Invitations on such occasions were issued with great state and regularity.

The fortunate visitor had always a set number of dinners, teas, and evening parties to go through. The family entertaining a guest led for a time the festivities and fashions of the town, and only returned to their original position when the stranger departed. In spite of its eccentricities, Hendley was a charming place, and no one ever left it without feeling a strong desire to return, We were a warm-hearted, hospitable people, though we indulged in a little scandal amongst ourselves at select tea-parties. Do not judge us harshly; there was no railway, with its hourly deposits of passengers and luggage, and no telegraphs to excite us -with startling messages; no "Mudie's" to give us food for thought or conversation; and the one library in the town had no fictions more modern than Miss Burney's. In this state of things can it be wondered that the fact of Miss Smith having actually been seen flirting and laughing with Dr.

Jones, gave a rest and piquancy to our gossip? After all, our scandal was of the mildest kind; it might be that Miss Lawsrn had dyed her silk dress, or the Robinsons had a hot meat supper every night, or Mrs. Clarke had another new bonnet; we seldom accused each other of worse crimes than these. We had one very good day-school, conducted by a clever and intelligent lady. After attending this for some years, tho general plan adopted by parents was to send their children for a year or two to some school at a distance; their education was then considered as complete. I had been no exception to tiie common rule, and at the age of eighteen I returned home, life all before me, and from that time my story dates.

As I write this, there grows upon me the picture of a bright, young face, with dark, fearless eyes, a noble head, proudly set, and covered with a mass of golden curls. It is the portrait of my boy-lover, ('barley Vane, when we were children; and I remember his taking me by the hand to and from school, carrying my books and slates, and getting up the most alarming skirmishes with any other little boy who presumed to address me. "You are to be my wife, JLaura," he would say, "and I do not choose for those toys to talk to you." One thing I remember now with in since they were babies. 1 never knew such friendshipasthal end in marriage." Her cousin whispered something, and she blushed and smiled. "That isadifferent ease." she replied.

"1 am glad," she continued, "that ('barley Vane seems likely to fall in love seriously at last; it will give Valentine, a chance." "A chance of what?" said her cousin. "You are speaking mysteriously this afternoon." "Well, I will tell you tho secret," she replied, "for I know you will never betray it. My brother Val lias loved Laura Villars all his life. We all know it, poor boy; but he seldom, if ever, finds a chance of speaking to her. 'liar-ley Vane haunts her like a shadow." "Then he must love her too," said the young man.

"No, I do not think so," was the reply; "not in the same way poor Val does. Charley and Laura are inseparable, because from childhood they have had the habit of companionship. It is custom, not love, that brings tbeln together. That will not prevent either of them from falling in love when the right icrson comes." 'I hope, for Valentine's sake, you are right," said her cousin. "I am quite sure of it," she replied.

"I notice something, too, which struck mo that was, that Mr, Vane gave Miss Grayson the violets he hail taken such pains to arrange." Then the, speakers passed on, too much engrossed in their own conversation to remark bow near Valent ine ami I were to them. I looked at him not one word of this discourse had reached him. His frank open face was in a glow delight. It struck me then that, though we had known each other so many years, yet this was the first time I hail ever walked home by the side of Valentine. Hurst.

It was a new revelation to find he I liad never given many thoughts to him. ('barley Vane bad leeii the centre of my little world. I was more bewildered than ever. It s-eemed to me as though I had lost a great treasure, and found another that I did not care to possess; for though I was but young, and had all my life Ixtforc me, I thought it then impossible that I could ever love or care for any one save my old friend. We all called in at Mrs.

Hurst's. There had been great preparations for tea, and we were compelled to stav. It was arranged that we should have dance afterwards. To me the evening was one long, be wildered dream. My pride was all in arms; my one effort tho only one I was conscious of making was to keep as far away as I could from Charley Vane The only thing I remember distinctly as, as I walked down the hall, cloaked and hooded, for going home, that I trod upon something soft.

I stooped to raise it, Slid found it was the bouquet of violets that Charley had given to Miss Grayson. Evidently she had not treasured it much. 1 hid it in my dress. What bitter tears I shed that night over it, hot enough to have killed the poor flowers a hundred times! I lay all night with it on my pillow; and when morning came, I locked it carefully away, here; when; it has lain ever since That was nearly twenty years ago. to hk continukd Mothers Don't Know-How niuoy cliil dren are puuished for beiug uucoutb, wilful, and iudlffarent to instruction or re-ward, limply b-cautie they ere out of henltlil Ad iutf-lllgeut lady nid of a child of Ibis kind: ''Mothers ibould know that if they would git a the little oueg moderate dose of Hop Bitters for two or three weeki, the children would he All a parent could deaire." side ine; "will you accept them? They mean much more than I dare to express." I knew that the lace I lifted to him in reply was pale and quivering, and that the tears were still raining d.iwn my cheekl; but 1 was not prepared for genuine of surprise and the look ol deepanviety with which lie regarded me.

"Laura," he cried, "are you in trouble? Can I help you? 1 will do anything 011 earth for you." "I am tired and faint with the long walk." I replied. "If you really wish to be of to me, remain here quietly until I feel better. Say nothing of my illness, and then arrange forme tore-turn home with your sisters." "Hut is looking for you," he saiil, with a wondering look in his frank face. "You are Mistaken," said "he is otherwise engaged." Valentine wisely made no reply; ffehaps he thsught that it was merely a lover's quarrel. How could he tell that Charley was taken from me.

by the charms of a beiutif ill face? He began to speak to meof indifferent subjects, and gradually ntercsted me in his conversation. Tlienheasked me if I would accept bis vioh's, for be had arranged them for me. It soothed my vounded pride and love to find that some one had remembered me. The beautilul fresh face had not caused Valentine 'o forget me. I took the violets, and hdd them carefully in my hand.

As I did so, I noticed a look of triumph on his face. "Do you feel bet.er now?" lie asked. "Yes, I am real? to go home," I replied. "I see out friends are assembl ing: we will join taem." "Let me persmule you to take my arm," said Valentine. "You do not look well." ldid not feel well either; that was the first storm of sorrow or passion that had ever passed over me.

My life had hitherto been as tranquil and calm as a summer's day. For one short hour the love that had for so many years lain dormant in my heart seemed to have sprung into life, only to die in the same moments it began live. While Valentine was talking to me, my thoughts were in a whirl, my heart in a tumult of agitation. I tried to look and feel myself, for we were the last of the party; they were waiting for us. How idle and tiresome it all seemed to me, the little incidonls'each one had to relate, the exclamations of delight over each fragrant bouquet.

"Miss Grayson," said Minna Hurst, "I must compliment you; your violets are by far the most beautiful and the best arranged." She smiled assent, and some one else cried out, "I think Laura's are quite as nice." "Valentine gave me these," I replied, with a look of defiance at Charley. 1 wished him to see that every one had not laid his offering before the London belle. Charley looked at me, with both surprise and sorrow in his He came to me, and said, "Will you allow me to be yourescort? We have along walk, and you look tired." "Miss Villars lias promised me that pleasure," said Valentine, before I had time to answer. Charley made no reply he looked gravely at us, and then raising his hat in that manner so jwculiarly his own left us. How that familiar gesture went to my heart! Then I saw him join Miss Grayson, and they returned together by the same1 way that, a few hours lc fore, Charley and I had trod, I with a heart light and gay, he with his jhave won my wager.

These are the I first violets, and I hasten to give them to you." She turned round hastily, and with a look of genuine surprise, took the flowers from his hand. I saw him start, and utter some exclamation, but I waited for no more. My heart had died within inc. Charley Ijad said ho wanted to give the violets to the lady lie loved best, and he had offered them to Miss Graysim! It seemed to -me that I had lived many hours in the few moments that followed. I had lxen sosureof Charley's love, that it had never entered my wildest dreams that he could for any one else.

Then I remembered that, though we were always together, and had leen little sweethearts as far back as my memory could carry me, yet Charley had never sjioken to me of love or marriage. 4 "Ah!" thought in tho sorrow and i a beautiful London belle, and they wish to show her the wonders of Hendley." "Do they really think," said "that.