Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-11-20
A Beautiful Extract

The following truly beautiful and pathetic
sketch is from the editorial correspondence
of the New York Day Book. The editor is
OH visit to Windham, Green County, N.
Y, the home OF his childhood =
Right here, between the mountains rising
on either side, TO the very heavens, and be-
fore and behind as you face the east or the
west, throwing out their arms, and locked in
each others embrace, my father sxty-eight
years ago last April (then boy of eleven,
travelling with his ialher-an old soldier Of
the French war; on foot from Massachu-
chusetts west, encamped beside yonder high
rock for the night. This little brook that
eurgles and rippes al our feet, was then fui
Of specked trout. and the next morning fur-
nished the father and son with delicious
breakfast. Here foxes and squirrels and
partridge. daried and fiultered in the woods.
Deer came down from the hill, and drank
in the brook where they were fishing, or
cropped the leaves from the bushes that COW
cred them in their tent, and there were none
10 modest Or make afraid
Pleased with the open valley, the noun
tain scenery, the clear stream and clearer
sky, and the bright sun which gilded the
hilltops 10 its rising 'and dwindled and played
| on their sunnits' so gloriotisy in its setting,
the old soldier resolved 10 live and die here.
Scared with wounds, and almost worn out
in the service of his counry-for he had
been through two long wars-here he found
resting place. In yonder little church,
yard lie his bones, aud those of nearly all his
family.
The forest went down before the axe
the wilderness became n garden-and this
n Il 81. 1f
men,. and life and activity were seen all
around. Factories, shops, schoolhouses and
churches sprang into existence; aud what
but n lew years ago was alone the abode OF
wild beasts, became really'a happy valley
where men delight TO dwell.
Twenty-Five years after the first nights en-
ampmenl-sorty-six years agony father
purchased this farm of Mr.. Livingston, who
received grant of il from the crown of Eng
land Al that time the people were TO take
the land and pay rent, and deemed it priyi.
| lese 10 cultivate the ground upon The terms
offered. He built him house, improved
his land and here upon this spot, i'll this little
basin, between these capped hills. reared
and educated eleven children, all of whom
lived to see his gray hairs whiened with the
frost of seventy winters. For more than
forty years he gathered them daily around
the fanrly altar, offered up his heartfelt
thanks 10 the Supreme Ruler Of the universe
| for the protection and mercies granted unto
Them, and an earnest appeal that their lives
and health and character might be precious
| in His sight, and favors and blessings con-
linued unto them while in this world
During the last seventeen years, have
made my yearly pilgrimage TO this home OF
my fathers. As yearly the seasons return,
and the golden harvest blesses the husband
man and covers the valley with its riches, so
The sons and daughters Of the good old man
| hnye returned TO his roof TO eat oil the ripen-
ing fruits and receive his blessings. His
white locks, ill now, have met me al the
gate-his outslretched but withered hand
has clasped mine in The cordial and warm
embrace-and his placid and earnest smiles
have spoken the fullness Of JOY in parents
heart, at a chlds return.
Bul alas! there is a change! With my
two little ones clad in their mourning robes,
on Saturday at noon, descended from the
stage and walked sadly towards the house.
No trembling form, no white hairs, no out
stretched hand-no father was there 10 meet
me The sun shone bright and beautiful
as ever, the mountains smiled: the stones,
the trees, the hill-sldes, the green fields and
The waving corn, all looked as familiar and
friendly as when in my schoolboy Gays,
chased the birds and the butterflies in the
gleefu exs,acy of young existence. Others
may have buried child and father in one
short season as have done may have seen
the two extremes Of life mount together to
that which is eternal, and may perhaps have
felt as did at the moment when, putting my
hand upon the old gale, the full realizing
sense OF their departure burst upon me. l
know not what may be called upon to pass
through, but il there be allotted to me sac,
der or more melancholy day than this, God
yrnut that | may pass away before that day
| comes.