Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-05-05
For tho American.
A RETROSPECT.
By AMANDA a. JENKINS.

- """1 - 'eee He~o hoe Psaeo tc-
meath the freeing glsnces OF the stern
old winter king. The winds were
moaning among the lesfess branches
of the rees, no longer clad in the
beautious robes, wosea By The breezy
fingers vi spring. The frost unhind-
cred in its fairy-like revels, nightly
hung over the faded yerdure its mantle
of cnrystal network.
Brightly shone the sun upon the
peaceful scenes beneath. diIiusing his
Joyous beams AS cheerily as though
slere were nought but happiness upon
the earth; and as if he fain would impart
charm to the objects whose freshness
he could not restore.
Oh many were the bright iaces, and
happy hearts, that welcomed the ap-
proach ofautumn's mild, yetrenovating
Oreezes; It's beds of golden moss, spread
everywhere like velvet carpeting; and
it's skies SO deeply, darkly. beautifully
blue" But At It's close We saw not as
We we're wont, many familiar faces that
welcomed It's coming. for they slept be.
meath the green sward. Many who
were the merriest. and loveliesi, aud
whose coming. brought JOY, aud mirln.
like beams OF sunshine. Viii sparkling
IN their beaming eyes, snd Intelligence
showing Winning charm over their
manners and conversation. Strangely
are lies golden threads twined with
grey-lhous shtleSsly We walked hand
IN hand. WIN the companion of our
childhood, giving. and receiving tokens
OF Affection; Suddenly We miss the warm
clasp oil their hands. and the music OF
their gentle voices, for they no longer
tread with us the uneven pathway OF
! life. Strangers take their places by
our side ere long TO be bound by The
sxm- ties OF friendship and we follow
ON as before. But can We forgi, Z? sh
no. The same hslcyon joys folded
their shining bands around oar hearts;
The same tair prospects that animated
them. animated Us; but will animate
theIn no more.
how quickly change the scenes ID
lies gorgeous panorama; actors are
We IN lts busy Dramas earning fol
ourselves laurel wrealhs OF honor, and
integrity. or Otherwise according as We
iuanlI the duties developing upon US. =
How firmly arc many OF lis varied
scenes imprinted on our minds so trm-
iy THAT they viii go down with us to
the very threshold OF existence.
Who does not possess them? Even
now hey iise up before US. But few
ileeling months have passed since there
met band o! social friends; bright,
youthful beings. with the rich bloom 81
health manIl.ug their cheeks, their lips
wreathed in smiles eminsting from
hearts yet unshadowed by sorrow. ol
care, the voice Of song rose clearly and
swerlly. OF the ambient air, and the
mild llg ght oi happiness rested in every
eye. But IN mat hour OF peace, the
contagious breath OF disease hoated
like an unseen spirit, 10 their very midst
Ere long, throng had again as
sembled there: the sweet strains ol
music again iell on the ear; there was
nousht OF merriment in their tones, ss
they iloated in soltened cAdences, Gil
their magic touch unlocked the treas.
ure stores OF memory and brought the
past portrayed with vivid lustre. before
them.
Sad tears were yelling from their
secret fountains. for death had laid his
icy hand on The brow OF one Of the
iairest OF that land--lhe roseate hue
OF health had faded beneath bis chilling
touch, and the geale form WAS softly
reposlng in The quiet grave.
Springi mild and grateful. unfolded
downy buds, and shining leaves, to the
suns bright rays, and t~ined It's
biushing tiowerets. by mossgrown rock.
aud siIvery brooklet. Then frightened
into glowing summer-which crowded
with roses, swept over The teeming
earth IN all its regal splendor. But the
rose tree showered It's richest treasures
upon The damp bed beneath there TO
wllher. and die, and with them perish
ed another flower that with its modest
worth adorned that social circle. We
saw the mournful procession, preceded
by the gloomy hesrse, butcould scarcely
realize that she was dead--so sudden
had been the change. The same num-
Der OF joy-winged had fown over our
youthful heads and passed away like
blisstul dreams. Together had We
played meath the old oaks. and the irk-
some schoolroom; or roamed over the
breezy hills, where the empowering
grapevine dropped beneath its load OF
tempting fruit; examining every sunlt
recess in search Of wild flowers. and
culIIng the raresI, and sweetest, 10 pre-
sent " our teacher
Life was all before us, and our hearts
were like well-spIings overhowing with
happiness. Hopes blisstul dreams
hghung visions. Witching, delusive
hope. Death layshis cold hand on the
brow OF The gifted. and the lovely and
ike the snVw.white almond flower,
winch "opens its ephemeral beauty
merely " acinste the beholder for q
moment" they pass away. Again.
and again. are the golden links OF
frisp1s shin hrolen. WA. meet than uof