Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-03-04
80 For the Portage Sentinel.
Memory. Truth, and the Echo.

-sE ssz BY CAROLINE NJ. LAMPHARE.t Ia.
5azHAh, tell me not that memory -ss-s s.
-ss Sheds gladness DER the past -
What is recalled by faded flowers,
80 Gave that they did not last?" Is
Memory, ever wandering, ever busy with
the scenes of the past, led US forth, almost
unconsciously, until we found ourselves a.
mong the loved scenes Of by-gone days.
Truth, a maiden with asstern yet candid
coustenance, over which passed in rapid
succession, the sweet smile of JOY, and the
tear Of sympathy or sorrow, accompanied
Us, seemingly a prompter, toTsmind Us that
the past is not like the present, and Time
had written change mall the pictured
scenes, through which Memory delighted to
stray. 7
J As we threaded our way, memory Lead
ing,through The loved haunts Of our childhood
days, there seemed following our footsteps,
orrather, lowering around, now here, now
there, q certain something, sound and yet
no form, a voice from :inyisibility mournful-
lyrspeattmg the words of Truth, as if to
deepen The impression given. 1t was Echo.
Memory led US by pleasant paths, our
feet again pressing the turf, over which we
had skipped in earlier years, to the old
ssaool house, ah! to the old school house!
ueseemed child again, romping with chill
dren, boistsrouss and joyous, our hearts o.
verHoHing with mirth and happiness, fear
ing and loving the teacher, ambitious to gain
the last-day prize, crying as we said "good-
bye" and laughing ere we parted. Such
were the scenes in the old scbool-house.
Where, we asked, are those careless
childhood days?
6 Truth answered, @The watch-words Of
tbs present are progression and improve
nent. A more beautiful edifce stands in
che place of the old loved school house, and
the careless childhood days, which memory
gives you SO faithfully, alas! to you they
ars aed!"-and Echo mournfully repeated
*fed. seer
with Memory we wandered through the
tanelsd wildwood, the leafy forest, where
with gay companions, we sought the winter
rreen, and sweet wild-fowers, where We
1srst imbibed that fondness for the grand.
sur and beauty of nature, which has evel
sinee burned brightly within US.
With us she sought the old green mead
sw, the shady tree, the grassy seat beneath
4, favorite haunt, where oft we stole a
way to read for hours alone. As each well
remembered spot was recognized, thrill
ofpleasure pervaded our heart. which may
bo felt only by those who, with the same
faithful guide, may ramble to the distan
home Of their youth.
Aye, and Home, sweet home we saw
4oo, the ever fondly cherised picture of tn
home circle. where from gentle hearts gush
sa,tsnderness and love; where happines
rsirned, unmixed with aught that savore'
ofssurow. And with home she gave us tn
merry Christmas, when the old and tn
young, and scousins not a few, were ther
sspartake Of the Christmas feast and Christ
anas gamss. Again the ringing laugh wa
il our cars, and bright. happy faces sroun
III: ph how fondly did Memory linger a
smsnK all these pleasant scenes. We cal
snsstly acclaimed, aMust we indeed neye
,Again, except with memory, enjoy the sam
fselings,l in theseloved places, with brlgl
familiar faces?" p .,s