The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-12-22
The old MANS Chrlstmas ReverIe.

The old MANS Christmas ReverIe.
NJ WILLIAM sEIcHER sLazixR.
I'm getting old the locks that IbOu, my temples
eurled,
ArsrOvins Thin and .lvory with much rubbing EAins
the world;
And there are wrinkles on my brow. and erows-fest
'round my eyes,
Enough 70 glysto the look or being old and wise;
And yet when Christmas comes along, with all III
mirth AndjOy,
Upon my word, can't resist this feeling like boy
The same old passion wakens at the bolfry's merry
chime,
That stirred me afty years ago, at happy Christina.
time.
How still the is falling and how lightly It comes
down,
And covers with stainless Sheet the landscape dull
and brown;
But ser and more lightly foil The snow Of age on me
As sitcoverf with as chill Sheet lifes sere and with
cred tree;
The summers sun shall bare the Earth and bid it.
blossoms blow;
No OF youth can ever melt tines frost from Of
mybrow; 49,.
But what Of that my heart meier felt of age the winter
time,
FOrit beats as fast ever, at the merry Christina.
chime.
remember, when restless boy, used 70 count The
days,
Before, within the fireplace hugo the Christmas log
would blaze,
How countless pies and mighty joints, would crowd
my busy dreams,
And Christmas sports would ever I'll my school indct
cd themes;
How early In the morning, while the night still fought
with day,
Iarose and sought the whore my elders slum-
bering lay,
And shouted out fragment Of some rough and m.
eient rhyme,
awake, longer slumber, for 'ts happy Christmas
time"
When bOyhood heG and youth came on, then Christ.
mas day to me,
SIN brought Its old delights again. still wore its look
Bot stOrmier passions swept my SOUL and love was in
=. my heart,
love that maketh even now, my memories dearest
Tho mistetoe hung the wall, and in the lre-lght
,4qsb, 10,
feple palden turned her lips to mine, with many
blqsll:.4a
It's branches waved above US, snd around love sub
That erst had sIumbeFed in my heart, till that sweet
Christmas time.
:Tt e. ).
Years spent land and ssaroled andhome again,
once more, "~
And kindly hearts and welcome hands, still met me
at tho door; ..t>g eA
Butihere was one, whose gentle cheek grow crimson
my voice, a., ,,
Whose low soft tones of greeting, mmie my heart tho
most rejoice
Tho same old reyelscanc again, but WITH aoiier Joy,
Than that which filled my spirit, when wild and
ton boy; ,,,.
For at home found treasure, that enriched no 9th
or cline,
And won, wellas wooed my bride at happy Christ
mas time.
Another Christmas came apace, but camc m id storm
and snow,
Aida chilling sense of sorrow was upon my pulse.
how; @
For my hearts sweet dover was blghted, my light OF
lifo had fled; '.....,t
The wife won at Christmas time, at Christmas time
was dead; Il .;.,.t..
Inc mouse was hushed with Loneliness, no SOUND o
mirth was there, .,.
And in its place there only the low sob OF despair
But my breaking heart felt lighter at tie od bells joy
GUS chime, 81
For thought of him who came to save of old a
Christmas time.
Time lightens every sorrow, and although it still re-
mained,
Tho memory OF the lost ono my spirit panied;
And as each Christmas camo along when gathered
round the board
We prolonged the merry carol, or exchanged the
friendly word,
filed cup in silence and drained II with tear,
To her who now Angel had on earth boon very dear.
And then the happy influence Of the bclfrg's merr,
chime,
Come o'cr me like blessing and blessed the Christ
mas time.
We have grown old tegetber, dear friend, and we
have known,
No coldness in each others hearts, in each Others
tone,
There have many sunk beside us, who in youth were
gay as we,
And we hang upon los branches, like dry leaves OH
the troes:
This Christmas day may bo last, pile the baz
ing fro, 4.
Fiinp the quaint old tankard, and draw each othe
higher; -; y !. .~-,
And list the toast give you; "May the old bells Joy
Gus chime, ...yAr,s
Meier fall on hearts lsss glad than at this swee
Christmas time!''
& - u