True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-25
For the True American.
THE OLD MANS DREAM.


and howled mournfully around the corners
of the old house, whose bleak and ruinous
condition bore evidence of the many rude
storms that had beaten with all their fury
upon its "time worn walls" Within, q
fire burned brightly, and despite the dark
ness and gloom that reigned without, cast
cheerful light upon the face of an old
man who sat before it, upon whose wrin-
kled brow was the stamp of the cares and
sorrows of three score years. His eye once
bright with the fires of youth, was dimmed
with sorrow. His form, once erect as the
pine of his native hills, was now bowed
down beneath the heavy hand of time, and
convulsive hcaVing of his breast spoke
plainly of the grief that pressed upon his
spirits. Upon his knees he held the old
family bible. 1t was open at the family
record, and as his eyes ran over the pages
and saw registered there the names of
those he should never meet again on earth,
his grief burst forth in bitter sobs. Oh
twas sad sight to witness the grief of
that old man, the last of his race, whose
name, when he should 90 to his "long
home" would be buried with him and be
forever forgotten There were traced the
names of sons, who he had fondly hoped
would be the solacc and support of his old
age; of daughters, whose innocent prattle
had beguiled many weary hours. Where
were they now? Alas the grave had
closed in silence over their mouldering
forms, and shut them forever from his
sight. His eye glanced to another page.
There her name was written, who had left
her fathers house, to follow his uncertain
fortunes; to share his happiness, and soothe
him in the hour of adversely; who had
followed him through life, and by her in
fuence, had shielded him from luring
temptations. She too had gone Death
had laid his cold hand upon her beating
heart, and like flower that has felt the
chilling blasts of the north, she shrank be-
meath his touch, wthercd and died,
That day he had laid her in the tomb,
and with her, the lust link that bound him
to life was severed. As he sat thus, look
ing upon the name of her he loved,
thoughts of the past came sweeping mourn
fully over his spirit, lulling the storm of
grief that caused his feeble frame to quiver
with the agony of bereavement, and dried
the tears that were rolling down his fur
rowed cheeks. He closed the book, laid
it on the stand, bowed his head upon it,
and was lost in reveric OH the past
His dog, that for years had been a faithful
friend, coiled himself at the old mans
feet, and looked wistfully at his MASTER
All was quiet The old man moved not;
and his regular breathing showed that
sleep had at last locked him in her sweet
embrace. He dreamed. He is child
again. Once more his mother follows his
childish form with her anxious gaze. At
night he bends his little head upon her
knee, and repeats after her, his infant
prayer; then creeping to his cot, sleeps
as innocence alone can sleep. Time flies
swiftly on, and he passes to boyhood, the
scenes of which, come often to the memory
of old age, and with bright visions of the
past, cheer many long hours when the
lamp of life burns but dimly With gay
heart and light foot he mingles in the
r sport of his companions, forgetful of the
/ precious hours that re.Aeeing away to re.
turn no more He looks forward with i'm.
patient longings, to the time when he shall
{ be man, when he can cast aside all con.
r troll, and mark out for himself his future
career. Life with its joys lay before him
and all looked fair as the morning sky err
cloud has dimmed its brightness.
"a change comes Ger the spirit of hi
: dream" Manhood, though moving Will
n tardy steps, has at length arrived. Will
= a smiling face he sits beneath "vine-clac
= roof" his thoughts wandering away, anc
l. lingering long at anothers side. Anon
s the scene changes. With fair maiden a
Il his side, he stands before the holy man o
i God, to pronounce the VOW which bind
If them ever one. Still the old man dreams
Fair children prattle round his knee hi
y Mary, ever faithful, adds to his joys an,
J. soothes his sorrows. But the vision grow
rt darker, he stands beside an open grave
: where they have laid the form of bloom
lie ing boy His heart is riven with 6erc
'e anguish, and he heeds not soft voice
l. murmuring, "Thy will, not mine, oh Go
ii be done" But Affections cease not On
of by one, his cherished children are snatche
away, until none arc left. But he ha