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diff --git a/old/63028-0.txt b/old/63028-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6b59aeb..0000000 --- a/old/63028-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1235 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Reinstern, by Eloise O. Richberg - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Reinstern - -Author: Eloise O. Richberg - -Release Date: August 24, 2020 [EBook #63028] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REINSTERN *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was -produced from images made available by the HathiTrust -Digital Library.) - - - - - - -[Illustration: - - Hand in hand, a dark-eyed lad and a fair-haired lassie approached. - - Page 4. -] - - - - - REINSTERN - - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: BY] - - _ELOISE O. RICHBERG_ - -[Illustration] - - CINCINNATI - THE EDITOR PUBLISHING COMPANY - 1900 - - - - - COPYRIGHT - THE EDITOR PUBLISHING COMPANY - 1900. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS - - - REINSTERN - LOVE’S DESTINY - - - - - _REINSTERN._ - - -On, and on, and on! For interminable hours had we been rushing headlong -over yellowish-brown plains, punctuated here and there by willow-fringed -streams; past huge water-tanks standing guard over dreary little cabins -already cowering before the approach of fierce wintry assaults; past -forlorn specimens of unkempt and altogether hopeless humanity, who -straggled away toward invisible habitations beyond the horizon, or, -swaddled in accumulated filth and ragged shawls, squatted in solemn -stolidity by the roadside for a vanishing glimpse of fleeting -civilization. - -From profitless window-gazing, to that supposedly restful twist -invariably assumed by the weary woman-traveler; from contemplation of -barren and boundless distance without, to closed eyes and anxious -retrospection, within; from the sterility of facts present, to the -incomparably cruel suggestions of merciless imagination, involving the -health, happiness, even the life of loved ones left behind;—till, -gradually, Creation resolved itself into a jumble of indefinable sounds -and fancies;—a rumbling, jolting, wheezing dizziness: - -A crash and lurch brought every would-be-dozer to his feet, the train -suddenly ceased moving, and apprehensive of danger, we promptly -responded to the peremptory call: “All out here!” to find ourselves on a -wide springy platform surrounding a station-building quite unlike any -previously observed; in an atmosphere laden with the perfume of—was it -pine-woods—newly mown hay—violets—lilies or jasmine? - -It seemed rather a mixture of many delicious odors. Fertile fields and -wooded hills stretched away before us; men, women and children in ideal -peasant costumes moved gaily about, chatting together, singing, dancing -over the velvety sod, or leaping and swinging from the supple boughs -while pelting each other with blossoms or gathering the luscious fruit -which was everywhere temptingly abundant. - -Through the shrubbery, glimpses of rock-built and vine-covered homes -told of individual prosperity; flowering mosses outlined the roadways; -and luxuriant hedges, also in full bloom, divided the grounds one from -another; fountains and myriad birds filled the air with happy melodies. - -Hand in hand, a dark-eyed lad and a fair-haired lassie approached, -saluted, and simultaneously asked in voices perfectly attuned, “Guides -for the city?” - -Urban instincts immediately awakened and asked, “How far is it, and how -much—by the hour?” - -Again, gracefully and respectfully saluting, they replied, “This is the -Center; the Fields are to the right and left; our services are paid by -the government.” - -Slightly disconcerted at such unexpected hospitality, but also convinced -that our reputation as workers for the elevation of mankind had preceded -us, and rather self-exalted thereby, we said, affably enough; “Very -well; let the young lady show us about.” With an indulgent smile, they -explained, “We always help each other.” (“Born twins likely,” being our -mental comment.) - -“These buildings near the Depot, for the convenience of producers and -consumers, are the Supply Stations, whence are shipped the government -products from fields and factories. - -“Producers are supplied at cost, non-producers at a small advance. The -general Store-houses are farther down this, the Poplar Valley, but also -on the line of public travel. - -“The Mother-fields are to the right, in the Maple-valley, while the -Father-fields fill the Elm-valley, to the left. - -“Yonder, where the hill-side appears checked with different tints, are -the Schools of Natural History.” - -“Schools?” we interrupted, quite prepared to exploit the superiority of -certain educational institutions farther east, in the organization and -regulation of which we had offered several valuable suggestions: “How -many schools have you?” - -“They vary according to our needs; one for every ten students, from four -to twenty years of age.” - -We neglected to dilate upon the immense advantages of our systems. We -may have been intoxicated by the invigorating atmosphere, the beautiful -scene, or the chanting and enchanting guides. - -We did, however, venture to ask, deprecatingly, “Do you study only -Natural History?” - -With a merry laugh, they answered, “Indeed! That is much, we think: To -learn of the birth, growth, development and decay of Nature’s products, -from the tiniest manifestation of life—animal, vegetable and mineral—to -man’s perfect evolution, from this physical form into spirituality. - -“We, children, learn only the rudiments of each change, the Scientists -and Philosophers make it their life work.” - -“And live and die poor, here as elsewhere?” we facetiously suggested. - -“Indeed, no!” they answered again, with a merry peal of laughter at so -dire a possibility. “We have no ‘poor’ as you call them. The government -is the friend of everyone.” - -With a skeptical sniff, and a suspicion that we were in the heart of one -of those “Ideal communities,” of whose birth, growth and early collapse -we had read, we asked: - -“Where are the other schools, or are those enough for your population?” - -“On Bald Hill, toward the east—you can see the brick buildings and -scaffoldings—are the schools for Mechanics; where those who are so -fitted by heredity, learn the use of tools and machinery.” - -“The children of mechanics, must then follow their father’s calling?” - -“Not necessarily: If a carpenter-man does not wish to raise -carpenter-children, he seeks a wife among the farmers, philosophers, -professions or wherever his preferences tend. Their united desire calls -to their home souls harmonious, in development with their intentions. - -“Your people have not yet learned this law—in Natural History;” with a -roguish twinkle, “it is taught in our lowest grades.” - -“Taught to children?” we asked horrified at this depravity. - -“To little children. Your people ignorantly imagine marriage and birth a -game of chance, attended by much nonsense and immorality; in which -parents may draw anything from a blank or a monstrosity to a saint. You -are here to learn the beautiful truth;—or as much of it as you are -capable of grasping.” - -Their conversation seemed so illy fitted to their years, that we asked -their age. - -“Fifteen and eighteen years of this incarnation, while you are nearly -fifty; but, in Eternity, we are your seniors and can teach you to crush -the shell by which Earth-children have surrounded themselves.” - -“You speak of ‘Earth-children;’—are you not of them?” - -“No; this is Reinstern. You have been brought to us to learn the -possibilities of your people.” - -“Isn’t Reinstern in the western part of the United States?” we asked, -greatly mystified. - -“It is a planet as yet undiscovered by your astronomers, who waste -lifetimes searching with telescopes for what the inner vision will -readily disclose when you allow the real self to predominate.” - -“This is a flimsy dream, after all,” was our immediate conclusion, which -though unexpressed, was quickly answered. - -“No; you are not dreaming; but thoroughly awake, at last. Upon your -planet, generation after generation have been given over to materialism -and hypocrisy; till Life, which is only embodied in Love and Truth, is -nearly extinct; it is, in your best, torpid. - -“Again and again have Teachers and Physicians from a higher plane of -existence been clothed in your Earth-garb, and lived among you that your -eyes might be opened. - -“You have either persecuted or shunned them, but occasionally, after -their departure, dully recognizing their mission and superiority, have -worshipped their materialization; giving no heed to their precepts. - -“It is now feared, among the sister-planets, that Earth will lose her -spirituality, which is her life, and become, again, a nonentity among -the spheres; a mass of corruption which must, eventually, return to its -original state of floating matter, to be elsewhere utilized. - -“As all progress in humanity is accomplished through loving effort for -the good of others, Reinstern is now making a vigorous attempt to -elevate your people; to teach them the great truth that soul-life is one -with Universal life, and must be allowed its only expression, Love; not -love in the corrupt sense, received by most of your people, which is not -Love at all, but only a low grade of selfishness. True Love seeks the -good of all, and thereby, wins the best for self. This too is -selfishness; but such is a duty. The Father has clothed us in -individuality, that we may, through our own exertions, become stronger -in virtue; unless we avail ourselves of the opportunities he supplies, -we are ungrateful and unworthy. - -“Our bodies are self-built Temples in which to worship, not the outward -manifestations of His power, but His Spirit of Love, which, though -all-pervading, all-knowing, all-powerful and all-loving, must ever be -invisible to finite eyes. - -“According as we truly worship and enjoy all within human possibilities, -recognizing His presence in every blessing, we live; if we ignore Love’s -voice, we are committing suicide, crowding out of the physical, Life; -hastening the decay,—individual, national and planetary, which -inevitably follows injustice and unkindness. This decay manifests itself -in your ill-health, moral and physical.” - -“Do Reinstern people all speak English?” we asked, rather quizzically, -after this broadside of philosophy. - -“You have been magnetically prepared for this experience, and -psychically understand all that is presented: this is in the hands of -the electrical students,—is one of their object lessons. - -“Were it possible for you to come here unattended and unheralded, you -would see, hear and understand nothing, as our language resembles your -thought communication. We are not so advanced in spirituality as in many -other planets, the inhabitants of which float in the atmosphere at will, -conversing at all distances as freely as you with your family around the -breakfast table. With such the physical is quite subordinate to the -spirit; but we are much above your plane and do not appear materialized -in your eyes. - -“Your spirit is, for the time, magnetically maintained by those who are -striving for the salvation of Earth from annihilation. - -“You will carry your experience back to your people, and devote your -life to their uplifting. The physical life of those fortunate Earth -inhabitants who have been found susceptible to our efforts, will be -greatly prolonged by our people, that all possible good may be -accomplished.” - -After a few minutes—or hours, of riding,—or was it floating? we found -ourselves in Maple Valley. - -Would that we were sufficiently gifted to paint that wondrously -beautiful scene! to portray the glories of human life among the Good, -the Pure, the True, the Happy! It were then indeed an object lesson to -all of Earth’s sorrowing people. - -To the left, lay broad fields of grains and grasses, bending timidly -before the fervent caress of August zephyrs; gardens of unfamiliar -fruits and vegetables stretched before us; to the right rose tier after -tier of grassy knolls dotted with low, spreading shrubbery; while -farther up the slope, ideal groves of magnificent Maples, seemed -beckoning to the pleasure-lovers. - -Perfectly developed humanity supplied the Highlights for the fascinating -picture. The grassy knolls swarmed with babyhood, whose rosy-cheeked -mothers in gay colored, tunic-like garbs, busied themselves among the -rustling foliage;—pruning, training, planting and cultivating. - -One could hardly believe that work, considered by us as too -laborious,—nay—positively injurious for womankind, was being -accomplished by this band of merry-makers. - -When we could distract our attention from the bewildering scene, the -guides were saying: “These fields are tilled and the crops harvested by -the mothers of the Yearlings, as you see.” - -“Who owns or controls the fields and pays for the labor?” - -“It is government land.” - -“—and the government?” - -“—is officered by citizens who have outlived the parental term and -successfully graduated into full citizenship three or more children.” - -After our mumbled comment, “A premium on parentage, at last,” we asked: -“Who takes care of the ‘Yearlings,’ as you have called them?” - -“Their mothers;” with a puzzled look at each other—“with a little help -from the Applicants after noon.” - -“Women doing farm work and baby-tending? That seems incredible;” we -exclaimed. - -With a peal of happy laughter that proved contagious, and a quickly -executed, waltz-like whirl of amusement, they preceded the explanation: -“Until children pass their first birthday, they accompany their mothers -daily to these fields, to roll about on the sod, dig in the soil or -sleep in their baskets, while their mothers plant, prune, graft, harvest -or cultivate according to the season; meanwhile, the Applicants are -attending to the house and preparing for the noon home-coming; after -which they share the Yearling duties.” - -“Who are the Applicants?” - -“Young men and maidens, who desire to marry, after having passed with -honor through several departments of Education and Preparation; and, by -the State Records, have proved their ability to provide for the material -and spiritual needs of a family; and have received, from the Board of -Public Health their Certificates of physical fitness, are granted the -Applicant’s degree. - -“This entitles them to assist and relieve Fathers and Mothers in their -home and field duties, until they pass their twenty-fifth birthdays and -have selected life partners. If they can then show records of at least -one year’s satisfactory administration of such duties, the Government -issues their Marriage-license. - -“This is, in every family, a period of great rejoicing; each licensed -child being then honored by visits and gifts from all relatives and -friends; and, if he or she happens to have merited special recognition -from the city or State, by any act of peculiar heroism or -self-sacrifice, the Officials add a generous tribute. - -“In some notable cases, the bride or groom must build a house in which -to store the Ante-wedding presents.” - -“You make as much of the license-granting as of the wedding?” - -“The public is not expected to take cognizance of the wedding day. It -would be regarded on Reinstern, as grossly immodest and cruel, to call -general attention to the exact hour wherein the young couple are legally -empowered to exercise the marital privileges. It is the culmination of -the most sacred desires of the human heart.” - -As with curtained eyes, they bowed modestly before us, we felt -unaccountably ashamed of our crude practices, though but dimly -comprehending the mystic purity of which we were thus vouchsafed a brief -glimpse. - -“Shall we tell you more of the fielding system?” - -“Is there more?” - -“You have heard but the beginning. While the mothers and applicants are -thus busied, the fathers are caring for the three-year-olds, the Buds, -in the Elm-valley,—” - -“—and the two-year-olds are at home with the servants?” - -“We have no servants; there is no dominating or servile class; all try -to serve the same Divine Will, as interpreted by the Higher Self. - -“Our oldest citizens are advisers in time of doubt; being more highly -developed and able to read the Truth more clearly through the delicate -material veil they will soon discard.” - -“Death can have no terrors for them?” - -“What you term ‘Death’, the change to the next higher plane of -materiality, is, with us, but the passing of night-time; we anticipate -the glories of the approaching dawn. - -“You are to see this change before you leave us. You asked of the -two-year-olds, or, as we know them, the Restless. They are in the charge -of the recently married women, who thus acquire a practical knowledge of -the motherhood to which they aspire. - -“They, also have field and garden duties, not so absorbing or laborious -as those of the parents, for two reasons: The Restless need rather more -attention than the Yearlings; and the young wives themselves require -more leisure for study and preparation.” - -“But who earns the living for the family?” - -Again the waltzing whirl of suppressed amusement, before they said -gravely: “Parents are the highest priced laborers in the land; mothers -and fathers receiving equal honors, salaries and privileges.” - -“It is all very beautiful—very—too beautiful to be true.” - -“It is true; and its simplicity brings its realization within the reach -of all. It must be realized by Earth: You have the conditions, -everything, except the will to accomplish the change. All blessings are -yours to take. You are only self-blinded; and by your bigotry, are in -danger of blood-poisoning. - -“Bathe your eyes in Truth; open them to His everlasting and all-powerful -Love, and wash away the putrefaction that threatens your Eternal -welfare, your planet’s existence.” - -A radiant light enveloped them, an invisible choir flooded the air with -celestial harmonies; we bowed ourselves, reverently, before an unseen -but overpowering presence, and covering our faces answered, fervidly: -“With Thy help, Lord, we will.” - -“After the third year?” - -“The recently married men receive the graduating Buds into the Youth’s -department, and devote their first year to them; their work is also in -the open air and completes the Field course. - -“After these young benedicts promote a class of Youth, they receive -their full certificates of Fatherhood. They are then of age, as you -would call it.” - -“Are not many of these young people unfit for the responsibilities, the -custody of children, the field work or—” - -“You have forgotten that marriage-licenses are granted only after the -Applicants are fully qualified. Our Committee on Generation thoroughly -investigate every case.” - -“The five-year-olds?” - -“Are taken in groups of ten, by teachers, who, during the following two -years, instruct them in the first principles of birth, growth and change -as presented by plant and animal life in field, forest, garden and home: -This includes much you would classify as rudiments of Physiology, -Chemistry, Astronomy, Psychology, Paleontology, Arithmetic, Language, -Geography, History and Agriculture, besides Cleaning and Cooking. It is -accomplished however without books or tablets, and, much of it outside -the class-rooms. - -“Flowers, fruits, vegetables and grains; birds, fish, reptiles and many -other forms of animal life, are germinated and developed to maturity; -nurtured and experimented upon; but ever to the benefit of the life -involved.” - -“Are your teachers men or women?” - -“Both; always in pairs; the government believing that by constant and -familiar association, only, can the present standard of purity and -liberty be maintained.” - -A strain of flute-like music interrupted us. “A sick call,” explained -the guides. “You see the flags floating from occasional nursery knolls; -they locate ailing babes, and demand attention from any passing mother; -while every staff-whistle is distinctive and quickly recognized by the -mother whose offspring has special need of her presence. Knowing this, -each is free from that harrowing anxiety experienced by Earth mothers, -who must watch constantly over their teething or otherwise ailing little -ones; or suffer untold agonies with apprehension, during an absence; -thus poisoning the nourishment, in preparation, which Nature intends to -serve as a cure for every infantile ill.” - -“But it seems positively cruel to force mothers with sick children into -the field.” We were really indignant about it. - -Again those merry children laughed in great glee at our innocence: -“Reinstern mothers are forced to—nothing; they are their own sovereigns. -They have fitted themselves for their positions, and their -responsibilities are the greatest possible—the reproduction of the race. -Their salaries are generous, and continue without interruption or -diminution throughout the parental term.” - -“How long is that?” - -“Never more than fifteen years, though contingent upon the age of -marriage. The term limit, in years, is from forty to forty five.” - -“How do parents invest their earnings?” - -“According to individual tastes and preferences. As with you, many have -beautiful homes, with extensive grounds, indulge in Art Galleries, -Libraries, Theaters, or Conservatories, while others devote the later -years to special sciences or enter the School of Physicians.” - -“Then even this hygienic regime entails occasional illness?” - -“Accidents will always attend immaturity and inexperience; Infinite -Wisdom alone can insure perfect harmony; but our physicians are also a -salaried class, who teach as well as heal. Ill health which -incapacitates members of his families for daily usefulness, is recorded -against the physician; and a succession of such reports count to his -discredit, even to the extent of depriving him of his diploma. In such -cases, he, through the advice of the sages, seeks a less responsible -avocation, or one for which he is better qualified. - -“We do not, like you, bribe our doctors to neglect their patients or -retard their cure. - -“Our medical course is in three departments: Chemistry, Magnetism and -Materia Medica. The first concerns the elements and combinations forming -the physical body of man. Magnetism teaches the application of these -principles and elements to the upbuilding and repairing of the body, -while in Materia Medica we are taught to locate and extract these -required principles from the animal, vegetable and mineral world. We -hope to be physicians, after a time.” - -This wish was uttered with a deep joyousness that told of a riper -understanding than is expressed when the Earth-born youngster, during a -brief cessation from banister-sliding or somersault-turning, exclaims, -“I am going to be a doctor—a lawyer—or a policeman,” and yet there was -an enthusiasm that was almost a parallel. - -“You have not mentioned lawyers.” - -“We have none; yours are an outgrowth of dishonesty and cruelty; a -finger pointing to dissolution. - -“Your law is a demoralizing human rule, through the enforcement of which -you would compel mankind to do what should be in accordance with his -ardent desire. If he disobeys your petty law, you inflict -penalties;—even daring to shorten his physical existence. From the -effects of this treatment, he, like you, must suffer for ages to come, -so seriously is his growth retarded. - -“We, on the other hand, feel deeply humiliated by any act of wrong among -our people, which demands public notice; it reflects upon the moral -atmosphere of the community.” - -“Do your people never, in anger, disappointment or unusual depression or -excitement, injure others, or trespass upon their rights?” - -“Occasionally;” they admitted, sadly. - -“And the punishment?” We were most curious to learn the treatment of -evil among the good. - -“If it be fully proved, before the officials, one has committed a really -flagrant offense, he is uniformed in red, as a symbol of materialistic -domination, and sent to the School of Philosophy, where the Sages meet -for discussions. Your Socrates was a philosopher of their class. There, -he has the best possible atmosphere in which to recognize and correct -his faults. - -“During this term of reformation, his parents, if still in the flesh, -usually wear mourning, from choice, in recognition of their own -shortcomings during his conception or earlier years.” - -“How long is this term of punishment?” - -“Not punishment; development; we consider it the Second Childhood. The -time varies from one to six months of your counting. - -“We have only one bad case on our records,” they added proudly. - -“Are you allowed to state the facts?” - -“It is of public record and History: A father knocked down his own -son—because he kicked him.” - -“Kicked his father?” - -“Yes; poor little fellow!” - -“Surely the boy should be punished;—not the father?” - -After a startled glance of indignation, which quickly faded into pity, -they continued: - -“Children inherit all physical tendencies from their physical parents. -In the case under discussion, the lad received vicious inclinations from -the father, who had, however, so controlled his temper as to -successfully pass all ante-marriage tests. - -“Had he taught that son by example the self-discipline he so well -understood, the boy would never have disgraced us. - -“Through whose neglect was the boy injured? Clearly the father’s. The -mother was also considered at fault, to this extent: - -“Through a mistaken charity, a desire to shield her beloved from -criticism, she had endured, without complaint several outbreaks previous -to the one reported; for this she resigned, temporarily, her maternal -rights and colors. Our future generations must be protected at any -cost.” - -“Then she finally delivered him over for the sake of the future?” - -“The offense was committed in the field and was reported by the Agent, -as it should have been by whomever witnessed the relapse. - -“All feared the most disastrous effect upon our community. You may not -fully understand that such manifestations act as carrion, attracting -from lower atmospheres those ravenous thought-creatures, bred by -evil-doers, and called by some of your inspired writers, ‘Elementals’, -who swarm around unhealthy humanity, endangering the welfare of every -sensitive organism within their reach, in their senseless frenzy to -prolong a shadowy and useless existence. - -“Bereft of filth, they gradually lose their electrical vitality and -power to harm; and finally disintegrate into crude matter. - -“This father was uniformed in red and delegated to the School of -Philosophy for one entire season. There he was also subjected to the -influence of most refining music, and his reformation was complete; for -we have not a more patient and conscientious father or husband in the -city. - -“He was restored to his paternal colors and is a much better man than -ever, for his victory over the parasites that were sapping his life.” - -During the conversation, we had been slowly traversing the length of the -valley, noting as we passed, elastic health and unalloyed happiness upon -every side. Most strongly were we impressed by the vigorous girlish -beauty of the matrons, who were at regular intervals, as fondly absorbed -in their nursing darlings, as the most devoted of Earth mothers. - -During these brief intervals, when the Nursery knolls were thronged with -mothers, attention was called to occasional workers, who though resting, -like the others, from their field labors, were busily writing in small -volumes suspended from their girdles. - -“Government Agents who keep the Time accounts that the mothers may not -be harassed or disturbed; they only of all the field workers are not -parents.” - -“Why, if salaried and free, are they timed?” - -“Time is an important factor in determining the value of the crops; -seasons differ in the amount required, as with you. - -“The sod and soil must at times be too cold and damp for these tender -human germs. - -“We need every variation of temperature, and are, by this close -companionship with nature, able to absorb the physical elements which -give us strength and endurance; by this very course, we are enabled to -preserve a youthful vigor to which Earth-folk are strangers. During the -time of physical growth we court every opportunity for absorbing Force; -this, assimilated, we may in later years live according to our tastes -and preferences, as we have then the power to attract and adjust -whatever may be required for recreation.” - -We suddenly became conscious of an uncomfortable rumbling and jarring, -similar to the sensations we had experienced during the Earth-life, from -which we had till now seemed so widely separated; as this confusion -ceased, we heard in those sweet tones we were rapidly learning to love: - -“We will dine now, if you wish;” and simultaneously felt ourselves borne -rapidly through space and finally into a large, airy apartment—an ideal -dining room. - -We had hardly taken cognizance of its many beauties, before we were -again attacked with the jolting, rocking, lurching consciousness of -Earth-life, and became dimly aware of harsh voices unpleasantly near -us.—— - -Our guides announced us simply as “Voyagers from Earth,” in response to -which the matronly queen who presided, greeted us cordially, directing -us toward capacious easy chairs which nearly surrounded the room. - -After several ineffectual efforts to rise above the haunting spectres of -our former life, we were dully conscious of being addressed by the host, -as follows: - -“Your Earth People are in their ignorance robbing you of this -opportunity; being greatly disturbed over your absence from the body, -which they have discovered notwithstanding our efforts to hold their -attention elsewhere. - -“The one poor harassed soul, less gross than the rest, upon whose -instincts we have relied for your safe return, has yielded to their -importunities sooner than we anticipated, and has now resorted to -Prayer. An earnest Prayer to the Father from a sincere and faithful -heart is a Power we can not safely combat. - -“You must now return; but we will try to raise you again from the -depths, when you are in the quiet of your own home, alone, and the -prospects are favorable.” - -Deeply disappointed and violently struggling against the power that -would thus wrench us from the happy haven into which we had drifted, we -heard—O, so faintly, as from a great distance—— - -“Rest easily, Earth-child; you are doing yourself only harm. All will be -made clear in the Good Father’s own time.” - -Then the horrible whistles, the jolting of the train, and an indignant -voice saying: - -“Didn’t you see her shiver? Such a fuss over nothing! She is coming to, -all right. Better keep your bottle for those that need it. Some doctors -think that brandy will start or stop the universe.” This last in an -undertone. - -We opened our eyes very reluctantly, to find a red-faced, wrinkled and -be-whiskered man bending over us, with a breath strongly indicative of -the contents of a bottle held threateningly near. - -Pushing it angrily away, we exclaimed in a far-from-Reinstern-like -tone:— - -“Why are you meddling with our affairs? We did not want to come back -yet; we have not seen the father’s field;—not even had dinner—and things -looked so attractive!” - -He shook his head with a professional air, and murmured: “Not right -yet;—better,—decidedly better.” - -Then we sat up as straight as a clothes-pin, and glaring at the -passengers about our seat rudely demanded: - -“Just trot right off about your own affairs, now, all of you; you have -treated us shamefully, and,” we sniveled and wept a little at this -point, “we don’t even know your names.” - -The conductor now interposed: “Madam, you fainted, and but for the -kindness of this physician,—” - -“Kindness of fiddlesticks!” we interrupted, “we were out of town, off on -a voyage,—visiting friends,—and should have returned in good time, if—” - -The doctor hastily returned to his post, while the others with -horror-stricken faces, as promptly retreated. - -Resourceless before their suspicions, we relinquished all intentions to -elucidate, and added, simply: - -“Who thought we were all right if left alone?” - -Whereupon a mild-mannered miss of probably sixteen well-invested -summers, turned toward us to say, modestly: - -“I’ve seen people that way before; Aunt Sophronia often is; I don’t -understand it; but you didn’t look a bit dead.” - -“Dead!” we ejaculated; “We’d like to die that way often, every day or -two. You must have some common sense.” - -Then we straightened up our traveling cap, and stared savagely at the -outside panorama of brown fields, while we tried to imagine a life of -love, truth, justice, charity;—among idiots. - -Later, we convinced our fellow-passengers of our sanity, by expressing -our grateful appreciation of their solicitude; how could they know?—and -assurance of our complete recovery. - - - - - _LOVE’S DESTINY._ - - - Where the gray crag kisses the virgin sky, - And the fledgling eagles half-famished cry, - Where the sun’s kind glance warms the cloud to tears, - And the snow-bank clings to the earth for years; - Where the lichens starve and the sad winds mourn, - There, a host of cupids at eve were born. - - They came tumbling out from their rocky nest, - Nor regretful wailed for the rugged breast; - But astride the crest of a stream as blue - As the star-lit sky; with their arrows true, - Downy, sun-tipped wings and the briefest legs, - Just like dear young ducklings released from eggs. - - They are fluttering, splashing in frolic gay, - Whirling here and there in the misty spray; - Now, anon, down dizziest steeps they glide, - All demurely, roguishly, side by side; - In their path, huge bowlders await, but see! - With a somersault they are passed in glee. - - Through a rock-bound glen next they gurgling go. - ’Neath caressing, whispering branches, low, - For a splashing romp, undisturbed by fear, - In a broad lake, billowy, deep and clear; - But they’re nearing, blindly, the crumbling edge - Of a ragged, cruel and treacherous ledge; - - While those countless myriads are hurrying in,— - Crowding, racing, chasing from brim to brim: - Hark! With hands clasped over an aching breast, - A poor Soul moans, “Come to me, Love, and rest; - Long and patiently have I watched for you: - Fill my heart and home with yourselves so true.” - - Do you hear them chant, in their rapturous glee, - “Never tires Love, Soul; we are not for thee. - We must on and on, like the water blue; - Bravely wait, work, hope, till your Love finds you. - Danger waits below; you are tempting Death;” - She is calling, still; for, with bated breath, - - Has she watched, benumbed, while a sportive elf - Laughing wildly, recklessly, cast himself - From their midst, to the surging depths below; - And she moans, “Dear Love, I shall miss you so.” - “Love but laughs at dangers; fear not;” they say, - “Fancy not he dies: We all live for aye.” - Right over they tumbled;—she peers down to see— - Not death;—but mad revels of exquisite glee: - Joyous myriads whirled in the dashing spray! - - · · · · · - - Think ye not love dies in an hour—a day; - ’Tis his dim, dull shadow, o’er which men weep, - When a sun-cloud gives to the shadow, sleep; - - But Immortal love, ever close beside, - Through life’s midnight hours will undimmed abide. - Watch and pray, lone Soul, for the love that lasts; - Sighing not o’er shadows another casts; - Lest a passion-cloud should engulf your way, - Till you, helpless and hopeless, drift astray. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. Table of Contents added by transcriber. - 2. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - 3. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. - 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Reinstern, by Eloise O. 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