Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-01-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
Walks in Childhood.
BY MRS.


The years of my childhood passed away
IN humble and grateful simplicity. | loved
the shadow Of high rocks, and the free music
OF the brooks in summer. My heart was full
OF gladness, though it scarcely knew why.-
| then found companionship among the beau
tliul and tnneful things of nature, and was
happy all the day. But when even darkened
the landscape, | sat down mournfully. Thee
was no brother into whose hands | might put
my own, and say, lead me forth to look at
the solemn stars, and tell me of their Names"
Sometimes, too, | wept in my bed, because
there never must be a sister to lay her gentle
head upon the same pillow.
Often at twilight, before the lamp was
lighted, there came up out of my brotherless
and sisterless bosom what seemed 10 be a
companion. | talked with it, and it comfort
ed me. l did not know that its name was
Thought. But | waited for it, and whatso-
ever 1t asked of me, | answered.
1t questioned me of my knowledge. And
| said, l knew where the first fresh violets of
Spring grew, and when the sweet lillv of the
vale comes forth from its broad, green sheath,
and where the vine climbs to hide its purple
grapes and how the nut ripcns in the forest,
alter the Autumn comes with its sparkling
frost. | knew how the bee is nourished in
Winter, by that essence of flowers which her
industry embalms and | have learned 10 draw
forth the kindness of the domestic animals,
and TO knox the names of the birds that build
their nests in my fathers trees.
But Thought inquired ofme, What knowl-
edge hast thou of those who reason. and hath
dominion over the things that God hath ere
ated !" Then | confessed, "Of nv own
race, save of those who nurture me, do | know
nothing"
was troubled at my ignorance. So | went
forth more widely, and earnestly regarded
what was passing among men.
Once | walked abroad, when the dews of
the morning still fingered upon the grass, and
the white lilies dropped their beautiful bells,
as il shedding tears of Joy. Nature breathed
a perpetual song into the hearts of even her
silent children. But | looked only on those
whose souls have been the Gift of reason, and
who are not born to die. | said, if the spirit
of joy is in the frail flower that flourishes but
for "a day, and in the bird that bears to lis
nest but a single crumb of bread, and in the
la.nb that knows no friend but its mother,
what must it be in tn use who are surrounded
with good things as with a flowing river, and
whose knowledge need have no limit Blu. life,
and who know, that though they seem to die,
it is to live forever.
Then | looked upon a group Of children
Their garb was neglected, and their locks UNI
combed. They were unled and untaughi,
and clamored loudly, with hayward tong ues.
asked them why they went not TO school
with their companions, and they Knocked at
me.
l heard two friends speak harsh and violent
words to each other, and turned away affrigh-
ted at The blows they dealt.
l saw a man with a bloated and fery coun-
t%enance. He seemed strong as the oak among
the trees, yet were his steps more unsteady
than the lettering babe. He fell heavily, md
wondered no hand was stretched out to
raise him up.
saw an open grave. A poor widow stood
near 1t with her little ones. Yet, methoughl
their own sutferings had set a deeper seal up.
on them, than sorrow for the dead.
Then l marvelled what it could be, that
made the father and the mother not pity theil
children when they were hungered, nor cal
them home when they were in wickedness
and The friends forget their early love; an,
the strong man fall down senseless; aud tn,
young die before his time. And a voice an
swered, ii is infemperance." Yea, it haiti
wrought many other evils, and there is mourn
ing throughout the land because Of this"
So | returned, sorrowing. Had God giyel
nae a brother or a sister, | would have throw
my arms around their neck, and said, sstoucl
not your lips, | pray you, to the poison cup
but let us drink the pure waller which Go,
hath blessed, all the days of our life."
Again | went forth, and attentively looked
on what passed around. | met a beautiful
boy weeping. l said, Why dost thou
mount And he replied, ''My father wen
to the wars, and is dead. He will come
back to Inc no more.'
| saw a hoary man. He sat by the way
side. His head rested on his bosom. His
garments were old, and his. flesh wasted
away. Yet he asked moi for charity. l said
. why 10 thy heart sat ," He answered, ~