Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-04-20
For the Grand River Times.
A MIRROR OF THE PAST.

tic cdiiJ uu0 uOW u"y u""h Va VIZ No~t >~~'-
ed morning of innocent and happy childhood,
as we sit ourselves down in moody musings in
a retrospective view of the past. 1t carries one
back to the Arcadean seats, of the bird songs,
of the incipient stages of life. All the melo-
dies of quails singing "Bob White" to the
chirping of the chattering swallows of the old
barn, where first | assembled on high to play on
the sweet scented NOW of freshly mown clover
so lately brought in from the green meadow,
where the cowslip and appletree fourished in
all their beauty and yielded such delicious fruit,
to say nothing of the cider which in those days
was so general beverage, especially on the
long winter evenings which were occupied with
song and story of daring deed of our fathers,
which we heard from the lips of our superannua-
ted and well beloved grandmother. With me
kind reader, these scenes are fresh in mind; the
jolly husking bees, made more so by an occa-
sional glass of the above mentioned cider but
which has gone almost out of use, since the
glorious temperance reformation, which was in
the year 1926. That barn oh, that barn =
Who can describe its beauties, as they rise DER
fancy's hill and spread themselves out on men,
ery's page in heightened array! That barn
with weathercock up perched at top, fit SEM
blance of the growing, caekling flock that round
the yard in beauty's pride outspread. That
barn whose weather-beaten boards have long
wthstood the storms of life, and furnish thus a
lesson, faithful to youth and age. That barn! it
was there first learned to swing the fail and
jump from the numerous beams that supported
the massive roof. But fear weary your pa
thence by lingering thus. These thoughts I've
tried to Danish, Eve hurled them from me, but
they come crowding thckly up for utterance-
we will change the scene. See thou yonder
house, the seat of happiness, the windows sha-
ded by lattice, overgrown with sweet briar
which when heaven directs the warm refresh
ing shower upon the bosom of the painting
earth yields rich perfume, and gently shutting
out the light of the celestial orb? Come with
me and set we there in yonder porch, while
viewing the setting sun, as it slowly recedes
from view, its great light and heat diminishing
as its last rays are indistinctly seen glancing
through the branches (tinging them with thou
sand variegated colors), of yonder moss-cover-
ed venerable monarch of the orchard, laden
with the rich and mellow fruit of autumn; mark
well the spot, for there are associations connec-
ted with it from childhood, indeibly stamped
upon my memory. Oh memory! heavens
greatest curse and blessing to erring man; as
It is fraught and laden with recollections, pleas
ing or remorsefu. Oh, memory! mysterious,
agent; thou great connector
Of the past and present-but stop; forgive me
reader this depression. Go with me by yonder
creek, which we in younger days when the rain
Of spring had increased its noisy bubbling wa
ers, in boyish pride called river truly boysh
pride-but now in after years, like not the
know not why, it matters not; pursue
we our way following its devious winding path,
We have arrived at rustic seat, erected beneath
he cooling shade of the tree where last we be-
held the sun, dispensing light and beauty, and
% which directed your attention, while sitting
n the porch, by remarking that associations
we're connected with this spot, arousing deep
nd lasting emotions. Myriads of recollecticns
'ress not upon me- back busy thoughts, pow
FRS matchless but with the Almighty, as this
'lace testifes. Oft have sported beneath this
shade in boyish innocence, and also that of af-
er years. Oh, happy past! again hear the tones
hat thrilled my ear and filled my heart with
Owe. IT'S here where first imprinted the kiss
f affection upon the cheek of the companion
# my youth She was pale, fair girl, her eye
# jet shaded with heavy lashes, but she was
90 pure, too holy, to remain in this sinful world,
nd ere long we gazed last farewell upon her
lear, transparent brow; death had marked her
or his victim-the hectic cheek and hollow
ough, told too plainly that consumption in his
hostly form was slowly but surely doing the
york of the grim destroyer Affection, love,
nd wealth, vainly assayed to stay his hand, but
ne fading form grew weaker day by day, and
he chilling conviction was forced upon us, that
er steps were bound for the untrodden shore,
'here the race of immortals begin. Twas but
few days before her departure, that she met
lie here reader-here by this rustic seat-here
here we had revealed to each other the strong
st, deepest feelings of which our nature is sus-
sptibe-here where my early happiness CON-