Mineral Point Tribune

For the Tribune,
Mr. EDITOR:-
As writing for the "Tribune" seems to be the rage just now, and nothing extra in the line of genius is required for it, with your permission I will try my hand in writing out a story which I have either read, imagined or dreamt of, which may not prove uninteresting to some of your many readers. Well, to commence after the style of the good old days of yore.

Once upon a time one of the many fair maidens of a certain thriving city in the young State of Wisconsin, wandered along the banks of one of its numerous pleasant streams, culling here and there a beautious flower or graceful shrub, twining in garlands, or forming them in lovely nosegays that are always so pleasing to the eye. Being one of the pensive sort, she soon selected a quiet spot in which to muse upon that ever thrilling theme--the drama of the living world and its multitude of performers. While thus musing with an occasional sigh or smile, as visions of the past or present flitted before her mind, she was interrupted by the appearance of a venerable, silver headed person with a countenance of such purity and goodness as would immediately have disarmed the most fearful. He kindly saluted her with a pleasant word, which she in the same spirit returned.

"Maiden, have you strayed far from your home?"

"Not far; but you--you appear to be weary. I fear you have over tasked yourself."

"Nay, not so; 'tis not weariness of limb, but 'tis of the mind I feel. Listen! I have been a wanderer over the face of the earth for four score years and ten in search of that which I have not yet found--a spot in this wide world where true friendship and christian charity was extended to our fellow-man. 'Twere useless to attempt to describe all I've seen, and I would not if I could. But one incident I will relate. After a long and tiresome journey of hundreds of miles, I entered the precincts of a flourishing village tastefully laid out: where nature had done her part well, and with a heart-felt sigh of relief I exclaimed: Surely I have reached the spot at last! My roving has come to an end! Rest, sweet rest, a paradise on earth, at last I've found!' From outward appearances I judged rightly.--

As I passed along I saw gay groups of merry, light-hearted girls and heard their singing tones of laughter. Young men just stepping on the threshold of manhood, parents and children mingling together happy in each others love and confidence. I passed again that group of men, and heard their shouts of mirth and saw them eagerly press forward towards some seemingly pleasing object. I, too, joined the throng. What was it? One of their own companions stood laboring under all the demoralizing effects of intoxication.--

Was it that that so amused them? Could it be possible? Alas! too true it was!--

Not one feeling of pity for his weakness, nor regard for the feelings of his friends, prompted them to endeavor to lead him away, and thus prevent him from exposing his folly to his own disgrace and mortification afterward. Not one seemed to think that it was a like or even a more ridiculous sight they themselves presented while under the same debasing influence. We would suppose that such at least would throw the mantle of charity over him, knowing the strength of the temptation to him, who loveth the evil and accordingly sets the ball in motion, not caring or forgetting that when once set agoing it rarely stops till it reaches the bottom.--

Even parents cease to remember they have daughters in their charge and that they cannot look ahead into the future.--

Oh, man! man! and woman too! Why do ye forget that ye, too, are but human? You cannot read the secret soul of your brother, or know its peculiar trials and temptations.

"Oh, for the rarity
Of heaven-born charity."

And the old man took up his staff saying, "I must journey on; that spot is not yet found." But the maiden shook off the sadness that had gathered o'er at the old man's strange recital, and whispered, while a glad smile lit up her countenance, peace to thy soul, weary pilgrim; thy haven of bliss is found. Here such scenes are never witnessed. Here the hand of friendship and charity is ever extended to all. Each feel the human heart is prone to error, and therefore lend a helping hand one to another. Here you never see the look of withering scorn or hear the jeering laugh at another's downfall: but each effort of the fallen one to regain his footing he has lost is hailed with joy, and each endeavor by look and tone to encourage the faint hearted in well doing O'er the gates of our fair city, you will see in bright letters of gold, "Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone." and well they heed its truth and patiently and confidently they await their well merited reward. Who would not be proud to exclaim, I am a citizen of Mineral Point? And the old man bowed his head with murmured thanks and words of joy.