Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-09-13
HOPE AND MEMORY.

A baby lay in its cradle A being with bright
hair, and a clear eye, came and kissed it. Her
name was Hope. Its nurse denied it toy, for
which it cried, but Hope told it of one in store
for it tomorrow. It's little sister gave it flow
er, at which it clapped its hands joyfully, and
Hope promised it fair ones that itshould gather
for itself
The baby grew to be boy. He was musing
in the summer twilight Another being with a
sweet and serious face, came and sat beside him.
Her name was Memory, and she said, Look be-
hind thee, and tell me what thou seest"
The boy answered, 81 see short path, bor-
dered 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!' asked
Memory. And he answered, GA book which
mother gave me-" "Come hither," said Memo.
ry, with gentle voice, sand | will teach thee
how to get honey out of it 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. Afterward,
she said, "Follow me, and thou shalt have mu-
sic in thy heart, as sweet as the lay sung to
thee"
But Memory said, He shall be mine Also ~
Hope said "Why need we contend? For as he
keepeth virtue in his 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
girdcd him every morning for his labor, and ev-
cry night he supped at the table of Memory
with knowledge for their guest.
At length age found the man, and turned his
temples white So dim his eye, it seemed that
the world was an altered place. But it was he
himself that had changed, and the warm blood
had grown cold in his veins.
Memory looked on him with grave and ten.
der eyes, like a loving and long tried friend
She sat down on his elbow chair, and he said to
her, "Thou hast not kept faithfully some of the
jewels that | entrusted to thee; fear they are
lost"
She answered mournfully and meekly; Z" il
may be so. The lock of my casket is worm
Sometimes am weary, and fall asleep. Then
time purloins my key. But the gems thou ga.
vest me when life was new, see | have lost
none of them. Tney are as brilliant as when
they came into my hands,"
Memory looked pitfully on him as she ceased
to speak, wishing to be forgiven. But Hope be-
gan to unfold radient wing which she had long
worn concealed beneath her robe and daily trieC
its strength in heavenward flight.
The old man lay down to die. And as the
soul went forth from the body, the angels tool
it. Memory ascended by its side and wen
through the open gate of, heaven There she
expired, like rose family giving forth its las
odors.
A glorious form bent over her. Her name
was Immortal Happiness. Hope commended
to her the soul, which she had followed thro
the world. "Religion" she said, planted in i
such seeds as bear the fruit of heaven 1t is thin,
| forever"
Her dying words were like the music of some
breaking harp, mournful but sweet And
heard the voice of angels saying, Hope that il
born of earth must die, but Memory is as eter
nal as the books from which men are Judged
Mrs. Sigourney.