Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-02-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
MEMORY AND HOPE


Hope IS the leading string OF Youth
memory the staff Of age. Yet for a long
time they were at variance, aud scarcely
ever associated together Memory was
always grave, nay. sad and melanc holy
she delighted IN silence and repose, amid
rocks and waterfalls and whenever she
raised her eyes from the groundi Il was on.
~ TO look over her shoulders. Hope Was
a smiling, dancing, rosy boy, with shark
ing eyes. and IL was impossible 10 look
upon him without being inspired by his CAV
and sPrightly buoyancy. Wherever he
went he dihused around him gladness and
JOY; the eyes Of the young .parkled
brighter than ever at his approach: old
age. as IT cast its dun glances ~ the blue
vault Of heaven. seemed inspired with
new Sigor I; the flowers looked more CAV !.
the grass more green, the birds sung more
eheerily. and all nature seemed 10 sympa
thize in his gladness. Memory va, Of
mortal birth, but Hope partook Of immor
tality.
One day they ehsnced 10 meet. and
Memory reproached Hope Of being a do
eeiver. She charged him With deludinR
mankind With visionary and impraciicable
schemes, and exciting expectations that
only led to disappointment and regret !:
with being the ignis Gai,ais Of youth and
the seourge Of old sge. But Hope cast back
upon Der the charge of deceit, and main
tanned that the picture Of the past was as
much exaggerated by Memory, as were
the sntlcipations Of Hope. He declared
that she looked At objects at a great dis
lance 10 the past, he in the future, and
that this distance msgni6ed every thing.
" Let us make the circuit Of the world !"
said he. I" aud Try the experiment" Me-
nory consented reluctantly, and they went
their way together
The fret person they met was a school
boy, loungiag lszily along. and stopping
every moment TO gaze around, as II I'm.
wiling TO proceed On his way. by and by
he sat down aud burst into tears.
." Whittier 80 fest, my good Iad?'' asked
Hope, jeeringly.
81 am going TO school," replied the lad
. TO study, when had rather q thousand
times be at play; and sit on a bench with
book IN my hand while long 10 be sport
Jog IN the field. But never mind, shall
be . man soon, and then | shall he as free
as the air." saying this. lao skipped q
"ay merrIIy, IN the hope Of soon being =
man
"It e thus you play upon the experience
OF youth" said Memory. reptoAehfuliy.
Passing onward, they met a beautiful
girl, pacing slow and melancholy behiod .
party Of gay young men and nsAisiens
who walked arm IN arm with each other,
and were flirting and exchanging ell those
little harmless eouftesiss. which nataFe
prompts on such occasions They were
all gayly dressed 10 silks aud Tibssds; bal
the little girl had on = simple froek. =
bomeiy apron, and eluDsy thick .solsc
shoes.
why don't ron join yondcr group,
asked Hope. ''Sod Psriaksin their gaysty
my pretty little gill P'
! Alas :" replied she, "they take DO No
ice Of me They cell me = child. Bot
'hail soon be q WomsB ,aBd then shall b.
80 bappy =" ln-pifeb BY THE hops, sh.
II quickened Der pace, and soou vgas sees
dancing along meTdiy Niih The rest.
In this manner they uendcd their waV
ifoa nation TO nation. and cline 10 eliu,e
until they had made the circuit of the q
inverse Wherever they came they fouas
the klnisO race, which 81 this time was Al
4 yoens--it being sot roaay years since tn
hfstefeation Of mahklod-Fepining At ihl
pFeaeht, aat looking forward 60 q ripe
sac for happiness. Az anticipated SON,
laiuse good, and Memory bad scarce ani
ib'ng 20 Dc but east locks Of repToaeh q
her yeueg eenpanioa. Let us Fefurl
home said she, . 10 ihas Delighted spo
where frst drew my breath I long I,
repote among Rs beautiful bsWefS Z,