True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-03-19
From the Ohio Columbian
Quiet Thoughts Of a Leisure Hour.
BY A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE WHO DID NOT
GO TO CINCINNATI.

Where now is the hum and hustle, and
the other indications of life and activity,
so lately heard and seen within these
walls Around me are all the signs and
appurtenances of legislation, but the voice
of debate is bushed, and the shuttle of
restless feet is no longer heard. The
sound Of The last retiring steps of the oc
u1anls of these desks has died away.
and were it not that | might start at the
sound of my own voice, | could exclaim
with The poet -
"l'm monarch of all I survey,
My right ito the hoor] there is none to dis.
pute."
1t is the glorious 22nd, the birth day
of the immortal Washington, and hence
The stampede of my patriotic compeers.
And The neighing Of the "lron Horse"
| as ceased here to vibrate the air, the hot
breath Of his nostriIs is dissipaled, and
the faint rumhngof his chariot wheels
alone gives evidence of their departure
for the Queen City. But there is less
stir on the side walks between Neil's and
the American The poor cripple does not
now crouch by the Steps of the "Conli,
mental Oflice"-lhe winning girls are not
at their post at the top Of the stairs, and
the apple boys are no longer before The
! bhy gates. Blu, the door jars, approach
ing foots'eps are heard, and my solitude
is brokens
When the insa,ate worm or the re.
lenlless hand of man has made desolale
the once thrifty hive, who has not seen,
in the cool light of an October sun. a few
strang lers return, and cluster around their
despoiled habitalion, as if to hum a SOL
emn requiem over The untimely departure
of their fellow laborers. Even so, me-
thinks, il is here; far away in yonder
corner see little knot of the former oc-
cupan of this busy, if not "nduslrious"
hive. And | approach them, and hail
them as the 'forlorn hope,' and they 'ac-
cepI the tile and, together, we propose
to transact important Stale business but,
unfortunately we lack unanimily, and So
we adjourn, not knowing when we four
shall meet again.
1t is past midday, and the great sun is
shining, and his rays Gnger kindly in the
soft spring-like air. The snow is retiring
from The side walks, and the children are
there with their hand carriages, giving the
warm.clad and brigm-eyed babies an air,
ing. The red birds in their cages are
swung out of the windows, and are ma
king the most of the sun light and their
narrow allotment Of liberty. How cheer.
ing, alter such Siberian winter, is the
sight of those grass. lots surmounted by
evergreen shrubbery
1t takes no g,eat stretch of fancy to
conjure up what is at this moment trans.
pir'ng in the great neghboring rily whilh-
Ell so many Of my companions have gone.
Troop after troop of The trained chivalry
of our land is pouring into its broad thor
ough-larts; and as they take folm with
music and measured step, and banners
floating in The sunny all, thousands oi
fair faces are paradel by windows, doors,
and piazzas, to gaze at the truly imposing
scene.
But enough of such bewildering sights
and scenes. | am alone amid these am
pie streets and suburban squares, and am
nearing the abode of three Of The most un.
fortunate classes Of our race. Here is an
edfce surrounded by an abundance of
fine rees--some designed for show and
shade, and some for fruit. And those fur
whom they were planted can enjoy their
charms of form and leaf, and scented
bloom, and cooling shades, and rich pro-
ducts. But the sound of soft winds play.
ing among shiny leaflets and painted pet,
ais, or The merry songo birds among the
branches, is not for them. And, whaiev-
er may awaken gladness in their souls, il
can never 6nd egress through the medi-
um Of song or speech.
| pass on, and before me stand two spa
cious buildings. One is surrounded by
much that would please an admrer of the
beauties Of nature--mucb ,ha, might
soothe a troubled mind. or correct an un-
balanced intellect And il is on these
grassy walks. among these pleasant shades