The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-07-21
From the Democratic Review.
LEGEND OF LIFE AND LOVE.


very cheerless and faacious doctrine is that which
teaches deny the yielding natural feelings, right
eousy directed because the consequences may be rou.
BILE and grief as well as satisfaction and pleasure rhe
who lives from year to year, jealous of ever pla
cling himself in situation where the chances possi
bly, turn against hnlice, as II wcre surrounding his
hear and his mind too scrupulousy weighing in ball
the results OF giving away to any ofhose propen'
sites his Creator has planted in his t-may be
philosopher, but can never be LappY man.
Upon the banks ofa pleasant river stood cottage,
ihe residence of an ancient whose limbs fee
BILE with the weight years and Of former sorrow In
his appettes easily gra6ed like the simple race peo
pie among whom he lIved every want ofexstence was
supplied by a few fertile acres. Those were titled
and Tended by two brothers, grandsons of the old man,
and dweers also in the cottage. The parents of the
boyslay buried near by.
Nathan the elder, had hardly seen his twentieth sum
lier. He was beautiful youth. Glossy hair cluster
ed upon his head, and his cheeks were very brown
from sunshine and open air. Though the eyes of Ma
than were soE and liquid like girls, and his cheeks
curled with voluptuous SWELL exercise and labor had
developed his limbs into noble and manly proportions.
The bands ofhuntes they met sometimes TO start off
together after the game upon the neighbOrng hills could
hardly show one among their number who in comli"
strength. or activity, might compete with the
youthful Nathan.
Mark was but a year younger than his brother. He,
too, had great beauty. ....
In course of time the ancient sckened and knew that
he was to die. Before the approach ofhe fatal hour,
he called before him the two youths, and addressed
them thus: .- .....
THE world my children, is full ordeceit EVIL men
swarm in every place; and sorrow and disappointment
are the fruits of intercourse with them. So wisdom is
wary.
'And as the things of life are only shadows passing
like the darkness Of cloud, :wne bands of love
bout your hearts, For love is the ckelest ofthe things
ofe, The object ofour affection dies, and we thence
forth anguis in agonY or perhaps The love covert
dies, and that is more painful yet.
lit is well never to confde in any man. II is well
to keep aoof from the foies and impurities of earth
Let there be no links between you and others. Let
notany being control yor through your dependence up.
on him fot portion of your happiness. This, my
sons, have learned by bitter experience the teach
ing ofruh
Within few days alterward, the old man was pla-
ced away in the marble tomb Of his kindred, which was
built on hill by the Shore ....
Now the injunction given 10 Nathan and his brother
--iniunctiops frequently impre sed upon them before
by the same Inonitoral voce-were pondered over by
each youth in his ihmost heart They had always haL-
ualy respected their graLdsire whatever came from
his mouth, therefore seemed the words Of an oracle
not to be gainsayed. r,a..
Soon the path Nathan CHANGED to be sundered fiom
that of Mark. n
And The trees leaved out, and then ir autumn cast
their !oage; and in due course eaved again, and
again, and many times agan-and the brothers metuot
yot. .E aw.-
Two score years and lenl what change works ovor
eartS ip such space as two score years andien!