The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-06-28
WHOLE No SIT
THE TWO ROADS.


1t was New. Years night An aged
man was standing at window. He
raised his mournful eyes toward the deep
blue sky, where the stars were floating,
like white lilies, on the surface of
clear, calm lake. Then he cast them
on the earth, where few more help
less beings than himself now moved to-
ward their certain goal--the tomb.
Already he had passed sixty of the sta
ges which lead to it, and he had brought
from his journey nothing but error and
remorse. His health was destroyed, his
mind vacant, his heart sorrowful, and
his old age devoid Of comfort. The
days of his youth rose up in vision be-
fore him, and he recalled the solemn
moment when his father had placed him
at the entrance OF two roads, one lead.
ing into peaceful, sunny land, covered
with fertile harvest, and resounding
with soft, sweet songs; while the other
conducted the wanderer into deep;
dark cave, whence there was no issue,
where poison flowed instead of water,
and where serpents Kissed and crawled.
He looked toward the sky, and cried
out in his agony, 80 youth, return o
my father place me once more at the
entrance to life, that may choose the
better way ~
But the days Of his youth and his faith
er, had both passed away. He saw
wandering lights floating far away over
dark marshes, and then disappear-these
were the days OF his wasted life. He
saw astar vanish in darkness. This was
an emblem of himself; and the sharp ar
rows of unavailing remorse struck home
to his heart. Then he remembered his
early companions, who entered on life
with him, but who, having trod the
paths ofvirtue and of labor, were now
happy and honored on this New Years
night. The clock in the high church
tower struck, and the sound, falling on
his ear, recalled his parents early love
for him; the prayers they had offered up
on his behalf. Overwhelmed with
shame and grief, he dared no longer look
toward that heaven where his father
dwelt; his darkened eyes dropped tears,
and, with one despairing effort, he cried
aloud, Come back, my early days!
come back !"
And his youth did return; for all this
was but dream which visited his slum.
bers on New Years night. He was
still young; his faults alone were real.
He thanked God, fervently. that time
was still his own, and he had not yet
entered the deep, dark cavern, but that
he was free to tread the road leading to
the peaceful land, where sunny harvests
wave.
Ye who still linger on the threshold
of life, doubling which path to choose,
remember that, when years are passed,
and your feet stumble onthe dark noun
tain, you will cry bitterly, but cry in
vain: "Oyouth, return o give me back
my early days.
LIVING IN HEARrs,---It is better to
live in hearts than houses. A change
circumstances, or disobliging landlord
may turn one out of a house to which
he has formed many pleasing attach.
ments. Removing from place TO place,
is with many an unavoidable incident OF
life. But one cannot be expelled from
true and loving heart save by his own
fault; nor yet always by that, for affection
clings tenaciously to its object in spite
of i'll desert; but 60 where he will, his
home remains in hearts which have
learned to love him; the roots of alice.
ton are not torn out nor destroyed by
such removals, but they remained fixed
deep in the heart, clinging still to the
image of that object which they are more
eager again to clasp.
When one revisits the home of his
childhood-the place of his happy abode
in lifes spring time-pleasant as it'is to
survey each familiar spot, the house, the
garden, the trees, there is the warmgrasp
of the hand, the melting of the eye, the
kind and earnest salutatlon,a delight
which no mere object of nature or art,
no delightful cottage or shady rill, nor
quiet grove can possibly bestow. To
be remembered, to be beloved, to live
in hearts, this is one solace amid earthly
changes; this is joy above all the
pleasure of scenes and place. We love
this spiritual home feeling, the union of
heart which death cannot destroy; for
it augurs if there be heart-purity as we'll
as heart affection, an exchanging and
abode in hearts now dear.
Treasury.
The WoRLD's FAIR FAILURE. A