Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-01-01

muslin kerchisf ever tie simple olirs aikss
Ill reunaine& unchanged 8
For few moments Aunt McFtuais 4ne
head was bo#ed upon the walnut table be.
side her. as Il ;mploFiue blessing upon
the group around, then her hand rested hp-
ON the arm Of young cir. who sat AZ her
right--our prord, 6ueeels, city Kate.
sETell as, to night, dear Catharine; has The
year brought anght Of change TO yea1n
Kate was leaning lisslessly upon her atm,
and with shaded face sat half avcrted fpm
the rest Painful flush shot over her match
less features as she replied in q self-aecusfng
tone -
isThe year 81 its close brings naught 10
md but sad regrets md bitter memories
regrets for tins misused and gr.efs perFer-
ted bitterness that mine has bean lifetime.
81 usefessness lock back 10 night upon
a year OF ease ard self indulgence, whichlhas
witnessed no Sggie car ahs aastosx dyer
the fsailtics of my own nature, year Of
have offered up no good thought perfdrm.
ed\ no good decd that will be remem h@red
with joy ia Heaven | have been tile idol
IN . laxuriohs power caressed aud sought
after where the laugh and Jest rang INT
have mingled in the dance ard Joined inf the
song, yet / have whispered no word toi the
errRng have not striven TO recall the Eankltr
en-, or ministercd with the might Of gehtlo
words ard . giving hard to my frail or lam
ishfDg SISTER woman. The year is lost his
lost 10 me r.
Kate buried her face in her hands, had
the hot tears rained through her slelder
fingers. a tar. too, trembled ia Aunt
Mdrton's mild hazel eye as she answered
. s6othipgls-
''1op hayewrittcn bittrr things, Catha kne
deaf FIR the old year to bear away batthe
new year il coming in, my child-thc Row
year with its untried hours aid golden
promises. tits not yet too late to begfa to
live aright-not yet too late to redeem khe
past, and perform woman hottest missiol-
that Of doing good
Then Aunt Morton pointed out a clear
open path. for the impulsivc Kate to tread !;
and while We listened to her mild reasoning
We each felt thai it was good and profitable
to walk therein,
There was wild coquctish littlo being
nesting at Aant Morton's feet, the1pet and
darling Of the entire household her head
was resting in Aunts lap, and over her
snowy apron fell a shower Of bright edrls
Ike flood Of golden sunshine Cousin Lu.
.cy was loving lovaable little Gipsy, md
over hdr fresh youag face broke the most
beantiful blush when Aunt Morton question
ell her
Z Tell US, Lucy, what has the year brought
to you r.
She folded her rosy palms together Ind
whispered, halEdemurely-s 1t has brought
dream TO my heart dear aunt; oh the
most beautiful dream in all the world it has
huttered, and struggled, and trcmbled like a
wila-bird claiming aamittance, but il will not
be gone and now have tanned the pretty
thing Love Is has opened up new world
to my wondering gaze-a new life, mystic
and beautiful, whose birth is in the old year
that is going out, whose duration will be thai
i TeaYes ffrg very raTyT'y u infs nv -F-.t
A foodtide Of happiness broke oyerthc
young girls face, for she was slumberina OF
"enchanted ground and her dream was =
Love Aunt Morton folded Lucy to he'
bosom, and gazed long upon that joyop
countenanec, and talked in a pleasant stfail
to the dreaming girl, telling her how ldf
was journey, and that those who love mus
travel hand in hand over its rugged paths a
we'll as smooth ones Unjust battle withEth
wind as we'll as toy with The sunshine. Aun
Norton next turned to more thoughtfulion
Of the group, whose calm eyes were fixet
drdanily on the carpet
q You were in our midst bride last year
dear Margaret, tell u.s. has this year broggh
augHt of joy, or hope Of change to yo1
The rosy blush overspread Maggie's pla
cid features as. she lifted UP the crimson
cushions ofthe sofa bed, and revealed, wrdpp
ed up il its dainty covering of lace and NJ Jas
lin, 3 tiny infant Of few weeks old pnC
rounded arm was folded back againstthe dun
rled cheek, and girl Ike We all pressed
round 10 kiss cousin Maggie's baby SAt
| placed it in ApGt Mortons lap, and bel
| ing down the girljsh mother nurmuref il
| reply
I iatlb candidate for mmortAity-thi pr9tt,
| golden blossom that US grown up aroRnt
my heart It has drought me this likt
1 timid tromble upon Life 1 sea, whose tar
henceforth | wilVwatch nov far more a&er
II than my oynl It hasabropght me be-
horhs-new Iuties new joys, yet 70 .nlgh
tinds me Trembling beneath the weiglt 3
responsibility THAT rests upon me, lessI pfo7
unfnitHM to ny trust
A t4Takc This child and nprSe fur MD. and
wIlKgire thee wages, said ono Of ld,ana 20
speaks III tae same language to tas heagb
Levery mother in our lard. Not light, DR.
little importance Is the task assigned yo4,
rear up an immortal being who shall a1sb j
i its tasus take place in the worlds nAqna
/ bud striae1to discharge truly and faithfall
1.-the: new duties committed TO you, and nspi
I precious. thaa gold dust VIII be tho incan;
tbat shall steal in upon your heart; the tIle
sing of God upon your labors as faithf'
inalher.ns
Il And what has the year witnessedlfc
II vol, 3BeIa' Loving hearts were all arohn
las, and so We made the old years cc&f'
l sioa
Ii 4 Chaasa il thS beloved household, atl
yeumore bitter loneliness IN my lonely hekr
IL The years history has BEEN one-ef sadle!
ard alooul--and over the place graves lci
Il tsYsd Il liarpy. because ofe idol vas saste
msEaasi.i che wscek-one idol to wiIioh SIS
tbs very worship Of my soul Death clail
ef that idol one-entercd my charmed III
eieil ard hushed the voice aud qucaeAea 4
Il iisbt III tbs ere that was dear 70 ME as
Nh Of heaven It has been tsaa gaess
on9 home. and has left a vae-at. saat--ITa
,,embty cisair-and a darkened heasEss tQta
Ill faEthis year have watelFd the deaths NJ
j owlcreep up . as3llzss's brag --liave held II
cstili9g araugat to her feysred Tips A.
sslthea her fainiing heart II the streag hbi
=