Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-09-29
MARTINsBURG, Va WEDNESDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 49, 1852


Well! here am !, after my nights walk,
once more In the village where | was born.
The sun is up now, and shining brightly
Things appear the same. and yet different
How is it There was big tree used ia
stand at that corner; and where is Caryer's
cottage?
Three days ago landed at Portsmouth.
1t was on my birth day. For ten long years
have been sailing about on the sea. and
wandering about on the land. How things
come over me | am man now; but for
all that. could sit down and cry like a child.
It seems but as yesterday since ran away
from home. 1t was the worst days work
that | ever did. got up in the morning at
sunrise. while my father and mother were
asleep. Many and many time had been
urkind to nv dear mother, and undutiful %
my father, and the day before he had told me
how wrong was. He spoke kindly and in
sorrow. but my pride would not bear il
thought ! would leave home What is it
that makes me tremble now!
My father coughed as | crept along by his
door, and thought that ! heard my mother
speak 10 him; as stood mpment with my
little bundle in my hand. holding my breath.
4
that cough in every quarter of the world
When ! had unlocked the door. my heart
failed me for my sister had kissed me over
night. and told one she had something to tell
ne in the morning knew what it was
shc had been knitting me pair Of garters t.,
give me on my birth day | turned back,
opened the door Of her little room and locked
at her; but nv tears fell on the bed clothes.
and | was afraid it woald wake her Halt
blinded. ! CROPPED down stairs.
just as had gently closed the door. the
easement ratified above my head | looked
up. and there was my mother She spoke to
me. and when did not answer. she cried out
loud to me. That cry has rung in my ears
ever since; aye, 10 my very dreams
As hurried away felt, suppose, as Cain
felt when be had murdered bis brother. Nv
father. my mother. and my sister had been
kind TO me; hut had been unkind to them.
and in leaving them thus, felt as If | was
numbering them all.
Had been robber, | could not have felt
more guilty But what do say that for
! was robber! Twas robbing them Of their
peace. was stealing that from them that
the whole world could not make up to them:
yet on went. Oh that could bring back
that hour
| The bills look as purple as they did when
| used to climb up them The rocks are
cawing among the high elm trees BY the church
wonder whether they are the same rocks
There's shirering comes over me as | get
nearer home. Home. feel that there's 40
home for me
4 Here is the corner Of the hedge and the
old seat but my father is not sitting there
There is the patch Of ground that my sister
called her garden, but she Is not walking In
it. And yondcr is the bed room window:
my mothers not looking cut oft now That
cry. that cry!
see how it is They are none Of them
here, or things would not look as they do -
Father would not let the weeds grew in this
fashion, nor the tbatch fall in; and my moth
er and my sister never stuffed the straw thro'
the broken panes
I'll rap at the door. any how. How hol-
low it sounds Nobody stirs. All is as ST
lent as the grave. I'll peep in at the window
It's an empty house. that's clear. Ten long
years! How could expect it to be other
wise can bear hard work, and hunger
and thirst; but can't bear this
The clderberry is in blossom as it was when
ran away; and the wocdbinc is as fresh as
ever running up to the window that my moth
er opened to call after me- could call af-
ter her now, loud enough to be heard mile,
if thought she could hear me.
It's of no use stopping here I'll cross
the charchyard. and see if the clerk lives
where he did; but he wouldn't know me-
Ny cheek was like the rose when went away;
but the sun has made it of another color
This is new gate. How narrow the path is
between the graves. it used 10 be wider, at
least thought so: no matter. The old sun
dali see is standing there yet.
The last time was that church my father
was with me and the text was, my son.
hear the instruction Of thy father. and forsahs
not the law of thy mother prov. 3D.
Oh. what curse do we bring upon US when
we despise Gods holy world
My uncle lies under the yew tree there, and
he had a grave stone. Here tits It's writ.
ten all over Tow. quite to the bottom; I'm
MEMORY OF HUMPHREY HAycRoFr = But
what is the name under WALTER HAY
CROFT My father my father. "And
MARY. HIS WIFE," Oh! my mother. and
are You both gone? Gods hand is heavy
upon me feel it in my heart and soul
And there's another name vet, and it's
freshly cut, EsrurR uArcRorr THEIR pAuoa-
TER AGED "a" Ny father, my mother
aud my sister Why did not the sea swal
low me up when was wrecked deserved
| it What is the world to me now | feel
bitterly feel the sin Of disobedienee; the
words come home to me now 1.-The eye that
mocketh at bis father. aud despeseth to obey
his mother the ravens Of the valley shall pick
it out. and the young eagles shall eat it,
prov, XXX ny
But yet recollect how my dear father and
mother used to point us to the Lamb Of God
which taketh away the sin Of the world
There is no refuge beside, said my mother;
''Christ is able and willing to save" | paid
but little attention to these words once; Oh
may never forget them now
----~e~<<>>>>~<s-----
aFIt is equally dangerous to trust self.
and TO distrust Tod to believe ourselves in
| ~, hafor To hal, Ill