The Nevada Democrat., 1856-08-20
..TTolll them Loosely, Brotl1er.''

So said an old man Of fourscore years, as he
walked over the possessions Of arich, young
ger brother. The walls of that great house
were hung with gilded paper, and everywhere
the decorations of gold and silver made the
house seem to be palace. The old man NOV
ed along in silence-now paused before mir
rors, now before paintings rare and rich; his
old fashioned shoes sinking uneasily into the
velvet carpets but at last he turned round
with his placid face all in glow, as he whis-
pered in a tender manner, "hold them loosely,
brotherhood them loosely"
The old mans words were full Of wisdom; in
the light of eternity were they spoken, for he
had seen the utter vanity of earth, and things
thereof He had been poor, reared In poverty
nurtured in poverty, continued in poverty
with a heart as large as the world, yet lacking
the means to scatter blessings as he would, be
cause Of his dearth of gold. His little brother
had In his early years, been as child to him.
Earnestly did he labor that the orphan might
know no want; many meal he denied himself,
that the motherless boy might not go hungry;
and it almost broke his heart wheS, fps he APP
preached the pale of manhood, he wandered from
his sheltering care and went away to distant
lands.
Many years passed, and misfortunes crowded
upon the elder brother. Wife and children died,
and left him weary but patient Pilgrim to
travel on alone.
There came no tdngs ofhis charge. "AlasH'
he said "Robert has forgotten God and me-"
and he prayed for him daily. On, still on, tray-
eltd time; robbing him OF bis manly strength
and manly eraces: dimming bis sight, and lay
ing the silvery tints on his brown hair; and
when he was getting ready to depart, there
came to him news of Roberts return. 0 how
the heart, laden with fourscore years, scared
with the sorrows OF poor pilgrims fate and
saddened by sense Of neglect and desolaton,
leaped again 1t seemed as If the the vigor OF
his youth flowed like molten fire through his
sluggish veins, and filed them nigh TO bursting
lie came--the boy Of his love, Of his care; q
man yet young, though bearing the scars Of the
worldly struggle. He came rich man; ready
to repay fourfold, as far as worldly goods could
do so, the sacrifices Of his aged brother.
He built himself magnificent house, to graf
ify his fancy. The rooms were spacious, the
halls wide and of noble proportions, the fmni-
ture sumptuous and for the first time he was
taking the old man, his brother, from place to
place, that he might admire and be pleased with
him. AT last they came to one apartment, be-
fore which the younger brother paused, turned,
as If to speak, but restraining himself cautious
ly opened the door, and watched the old man as
be entered. II was fitted up with plain, old
: fashioned furniture,-there was no carpet on
the floor, there were rude beams overhead
Six straight backed, antique chairs stoodagainst
the wall, together with table of venerable
oak. An old fashioned beaufet was set in one
corner; n sampler very much faded, and en-
closed in black frame, hung between the win
dows, and an arm chair whose age was over one
hundred years, occupied nook in the fire
place.
The old man stood in silence for n moment,
then reverenty took off his hat His thin lips
were quvering, large tears stood IN his dim blue
ewes, which ever and anon he shut. as if MASTER
ing some strong emotion. Then he bent for
ward, aud resting his ciasped hands upon the
old chair back, he murmured "My Mother p
and there came a sob from the depths of his
aged heart his head fell upon his hands, and he
wept like a child.
II was very touching to see the few gray hairs
1utter on his temples-and still more SO AZ the
hale and vigorous brother folded his arms about
that bowed down form, murmurlng, 81 must
take care of you, now This is your ROOM
Many miles have Travelled, to gather together
the scattered furniture that was so dear to us
In the old homestead. Strangers have sat here
- often since she died, but nevertheless, II Is a
mothers chair. Welcome home-my brother y
II Is long since the old man went to his bet
ter rest but bis words still sound in our ears,
''hold them loosely, brother and we have been
tempted to exclam when beholding those to
whom God has given great gifts or lovely pos
sessessions, "hold them loosely, brother"
You who have weath---who never knew the
canker that eats up the very heart when the
body is oyertasked and yet the hard wearing
and labor brings not even food enough for the
hungry little children--hoId that wealth loose
ly II is not yours A breath may dissolve il;
the snapping Of one tender chord may send you
to the shadows that lie over the graveyard
II is Gods wealth hold il with open fingers;
T. scatter 1t MS you co. and make heart sing for
di JOY. Don't grasp It SO eagerly II is treacher-
: ous-it win mock you at the last; il viii not go
one step beyond the world with you nay it
Nd viii even lavish blessings and caresses on those
% who have made your path thorny with curses;
II will stand in its real form at the bar of Judge
ment aud sneer at you for the love you bore it,.
"Ilold it loosely and you shall meet your
Creator with smile-make 1t your god, and in
that day, the true, great and terrible Deity will
not recompense you.
Mother, with your blooming children, "hold
them loosely''-great man with your gifts and
your honors, "hold them loosely;" but oh
cling to the religion Of Jesus Christ: fight for
1t, If II must be, die for lt-=but fame, riches
worldly goods and high places, "hold them
loosely, brother"