Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-01-01

way Of flowers. The cradle is empty, bu,
the last prayers Of the parents are uttered
over The small crib, which stands by their
own bedside, and their latest attention is
given to the peaceful breathing of the oc-
cupant.
Years pass. Childhood has strengthen
ed into boyhood and boyhood has gam
boiled along into manhood. Old connex
ions are broken-parents are sleeping in
their gI6ve, new Inllmacles are iormed-a
new home is about him ; new cares dis
tract him. He is abroad struggling amid
the business of life; or resting from it with
those whom he is chosen from his own
generation. Time is beginning 10 wrinkle
his forehead, and thought hos robbed his
looks of their gayeiy and study has dmmed
his eve. Those who began life after he had
grown up, are fast crowding him out of it,
and there are many claimants upon his in
dus'ry and love, for protection and support.
Years pass. His own children have be-
come men, and are quitting hIm, as he also
quilted The home Of his fathers HIS steps
have lost their elaslicity-his band has be-
come familiar with his cane, to which he is
obIige to trust in his walks. He has left
the battle which fatIgued him. lie looks
anxiously in each days papers among the
deaths-and then ponders over the name Of
an old friend, and tries to persuade himself
that he is younger, and stronger, and has
better hold upon life than any Of his CON
tempOrarieS.
.Nonths pass. lie gradually diminishes
the circle of his activity. lie dislIkes to 60
abroad, where he finds so many new faces,
and he grleves TO meet his former compani-
ons, after short absence. they seem to have
grown so old and intirm. Quiet enjoy
menls only are reished-a lltle CONVERSE
ZION about olden .Ines-a sober game al
whist-a religious treatise and his early
bed, form for him lhe sum total of his plea
sures.
Ueeks pass. Infrmty keeps bin in his
chamber His walks are limited 10 the
space between his easy chair and his bed.
His swollen limbs wrapt in ff4nnels. His
Sights falling, his ears refuse their duty and
his cup is but half filed. since. otherwise
his shaking hand cannot carry it 10 bis
shrunken lips, without spilling its contents.
His powers are weakened-his faculties are
blunted-his strength is lost.
Days pass. The old man does no, leave
his bed-hs memory is faIing-he taIks.
bu, cannot be understood asks cues
tions, but they relate to the transactions Of
former generation--he speaks Of occurren-
ces, but the recollec;icn Of no ore around
him can 90 back TO their scenes--he seems
10 commune with comrades, but when he
names them, il is found that the waters of
time and oblivion have long covered their
tombs.
Hours pass. The taper grows DINNER
and dlmmcr-the machinery moves Yet
more and more siowl ly-the sands are fewer
as they measure The allotted span. The
motion Of those about him is unheeded or
becomes a vexalion. Each fresh inquiry
after his health becomes a knell. The
springs Of life can no longer force on lis
whees-ihe ''slver chord'' is fast untwist-
lng-lhe PITCHER is broken at the fountain
and time ''is burlhep.n His children
are about him, but he heeds them nol-hs
friends are near, but he does not recog-
Mise them The circle is completed. The
course is run-and utter darkness brings
the cold damp, which ushers in the night
Of death.
Minutes pass. His breathing gr,, s softer
and slower-his pulse beats fainter and
feebler. Those around HIM are listening
but cannot tell when they cease. The en-
bers are burn, out. and The blaze flashes NOT
before it expires. His ''lhtee score years
and ,en'' are numbered. Human life is