Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-10-06
Hope and Memory.

! A baby lay IN the cradle. A being
with bright hair, and clear eye, came and
kissed IT, Her name was Hope. It's nurse
denied it a toy for which it cried, but Hope
told it of one in store for tomorrow. its
little sister gave it flower, at which il
clapped its hands joyfuly, and Hope prom.
lsed It fair ones that it should gather for
ITSELF
The babe grew to boy He was mu.
sing in the summer twilight. Another be.
ing, with sweet and serious face, came
and sat by him. Her name was Memory
and she said. Look behind thee, aud tel
me what thou seest"
The boy answered, Il see short path
bordered with flowers. Butterflies spread
out gay wings there. and birds sing among
the shrubs. 1t seems to be the path where
my feet have walked, for at the beginning
of it was my own cradle"
"What art thou holding in thy hand o.
asked Memory. And he answered, "a
book which mother gave me-
"Come hither," said Memory, with a gen.
tle voice, and | will teach thee how TO get
honey out ofit that shall be sweet when
thy hair is grey"
The boy became youth. Once as he
lay in the bed, Hope and Memory came to
the pillow. Hope sang merry song, like
the lark when she rises from her nest to
the skies. Afterwards, she said, "follow
me. and thou shalt have music in the heart,
as sweet as the lay sung thee"
But Memory said, "He shall be mine ais o
Hope said, "why need we contend? For
as he keepeth virtue in bis heart, we will
be to him as sisters, all his life long" So
he embraced Hope and Memory, and was
beloved Of them both.
When he awoke they blessed him, and
he gave hand to each. He became a
man, and girded him every morning for
his labor. and every light he supped a. the
table Of Memory, with knowledge for their
guest.
At length, age found the man, and turn
ed his temples white. So dim his eye, it
seemed that the worldIwas an altered place
But it was he himself that had changed,
and the warm blood had grown cold in bis
veins.
Memory looked on him with brave and
tender eye, like loving and long tried
friend. She sat down by his elbow chair.
and he said to her, "Thou hast not kept
faithfully some Of the jewels that entrust-
cd 10 thee; fear they are lost"
She answered mournfuly and meeky:
at may be so. The lock Of my casket is
worn.--Sometimes am weary. and fall
asleep. Then time purloins my key. But
the gems that thou gavest me when life
was new. see! l have not lost none ofthem.
They are brilliant as when they came into
my hands"
Memory looked pitiful on him as she
ceased to speak, wishing 20 be forgiven,
But Hope began TO unfold radiant wing
which she had long worn ceneealed beneath
her robe, and daily tried It's strength in
heavenward flight
The old man lay down to die. And as
the soul went torth from the body, the an
gels took it. Hope ascended by its side,
and went through the open gates Of heaven.
There she expired, like rose family giving
forth its last odors.
A glorious form bent over her. Her
name was Immortal Happiness. Hope COM
mended to her soul. which she had follow
ed through the world. Religion" she
said. "planted in il such seeds as bear the
fruit of heaven. II is thine forever
Her dying words were like the music Of
some breaking harp. mournful but sweet
And heard the voice of angels saying.
Hope that is born of the earth must die,
but Memory is as eternal as the book from
which men are judged"