Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-03
Written for the Shirt of the
H ABSENT ONE.

Hartford CO., Sept, 18th. g
Written for the Spirit of the Age. =
THE ABSENT ONE. .
Many! Many days has past dear One, I
flor dear thou art) since 1 gazed upon thy $
lovely face, and marked the hurried beams '
that stole beneath thy eyelids and the smile {
that gently played around the coral lip the
timid glances of thy downcast happy eye,
which developed the Utmost feelings of the
soul, and the hidden thoughts that could not
be by speech made known, there translated
themselves in silence. Oh! could | but re-
call the happy moments we have spent to-
gether amidst the family circle, and the
manyl many pleasing "reminiscences of my
childhood. All! it was then | dreamed not
of an hour like this my heart was then light
and happy, andas free from care as the winged
Dove that sporteth in glee amid the beaute-
Gus scenes of nature, the precious handiwork
of God. Oh! how infinite is his wisdom,
how unbounded is his liberality. Everything
in nature tends to praise and exalt his no.
ly name, and / will endeavor to do likewise,
although l am doomed to such q fate as this.
But He has willed it the decree is spoken,
therefore / will not murmur, nay nor repine
at His holy DEGREES, but yield with compla-
cence to His heavenly mandates, and live on
by that which / have ever been supported,
"hope," and endeavor to look back upon the
past as a dream from which l have just been
aroused by the Orb of day, rising in rayless
majesty from his Eastern nome spreading
his wings in all their refulgence over our
mother Earth, to arouse a slumbering
world from a state of lethargF to pursue once
more their daily avocations. But we who
are left to lament and mourn your absence,
can we obliviate the past? No, that last
| farewell rises as fresh in the store house OF
the mind as if it were repeated yesterday
and many events connected with it dart
athwart my fevered brain. Twas then my
heart yearned to recall the past, and bury
the present in the darkest shades of oblivion
Language is inadequate to express the feel
. ings of my soul at that moment, and ever
> my guilty tears ceased to flow, as if thu
T fountain had been drained. My heart with
= out thee my sweet and gentle friend
Is like a lonely bird
That sadly sings,
Brooding upon its nest unheard-
With folded wings.
Dark sorrows round me cling
Ny years are few,
And yet my hearts the saddest thing
ever knew.
If by chance l steal alone among thos
n verdant trees, and select for my retreat tn
shade of yon stately oak and list almost ell
tranced to the song of the lovely birds {
ID they pass, sending forth their strains of swee
K estmelody, and the Erial sounds have reache
ID their ~loftiest keynote, then it is my though
re are waited to thee. Moments like these eau
t! a thousand recollections and ~anticipations
at rush like a torrent upon my mind. Asthe 81
of when he has performed his daily r~evolutio
tn gradually sinks to rest beneath the westel
We horizon and everything appears radiat
with the smiles of departing day, it arous
IN. in my heart sweet memories of the abse
he one. There / often contemplate the VIC
i've ders of Creation undisturbed, and had / tn
or, sweet face on which / ponder, to bloom
I'VE me within this Eden home, 1 weuld thi
er. myself happier in solitude, than the gau
ON c~ourtier, amidst the spleAdor, noise a
ace hurry of a court. | think Of thee by d.
and muse on thee during the silent watch
'o0 of the night, calm night, that breedeth tho
our and the task weary soul disporteth in
axe careless play-houses of sleep. l earnes
md implore of my Maker where mercy's are
ors finite, that he may not nip the bud in a {
tant land but extend his arm. and fold
ave Orphans in the ark of safety, that we n
vor- experience a happy Reunion this side {
sit blessed Eternity, ere the expiration of mi
months. But should it meet His heave
- will to snatch US from time ere we with
; on the faces of each other, Oh | may we
look adieH to earth with a smile, close our g
az on the pillow of religious hope, and sink
an repose in the bosom of our Maker. Th
we Will JOIN the dear friends that have 2
see before us, and parting will be no more. .
Oh childhOOd's years how memory loves
turn To linger on those pleasant hours.
When fancy's pencil painted life,
q One dream of bliss with paths of aowsrs
aart Ere stern reality had drawn
~ One cloud across life's opening dawn.
~ Or mingled with those visions bright
cord Times varying hues of shade and licbt
wv Then wild ambition dwelt in dreams
see And fiery passions lay at rest,
nded And purity, peace, hope and love-
=, Rested within the sinless breast.
Diets But like the image of a dream,
used shadow on times ebbing stream,
how Too bright, too beautiful It to Iaat passed.
heart
\ Now recollection wandering back
= "" Through vistas of departed years.
green Finds here a place unmarked by care.
kruth One sunny spot undimmed by tears.
> me, Ofdeep regret with sadness fraurbt1
n the That naught is left us but to mourn.
verse u return.
band PLEASANT Grove w;Is,n ~ MLHLloo