Smyrna times., 1857-02-04
Written for the Smyrna Times.
! BOTTOMS.
ny, MARTHA HAINEs BUTT.

On feet wings another twelve months have
passed away; another wave upon the ocean of
Time hath been hurled into an endless eternity.
The bright visions which spread themselves
upon ancy's canvass, when the last twelve
months dawned upon US, have fled; aye! like
the cloud that passes over the MONDAY sky, SO
have those rainbow tints faded from the hor-
zon of anticipation. Where are the flowers
which bloomed at early Spring! They have
been blighted by the frosts of Winter. Flora
has sought a more genial home, till Spring,
Virgin Goddess! shall mantle each tree and
lawn with an emerald robe.
Many, yes, very many, have been the
changes during the past year. The orange
wreath which we twined for the bride hath
withered, and the wearers too, perchance, may
slumber in the cold, dark grave. The mother
who hushed her cherished infant to sleep, has
! perchance, endured the pangs of parting; yes
e those bright eyes saw she closed in death how
as another year commences, she thinks of the
q past, the happy past, the sad by.gone days
C now like dream cOmeth the recollection o
= them stealing DER, she feels that those ties cal
no more be united save in the spirit world.
. Among many of you, my friends, no chan
e of serious nature have taken place; no clou
has passed to mar the hope which, as a tru
and shining guiding star, ever looms o'er you
r pathway; and may it continue to glow in a
IL its pristine spendOr-may each ray of tn.
s. bright star, as it penetrates your heart, shed
u =. lasting joy.
or But the broad, uncertain future is bcfors us
he the ocean of lie, though unruiiied now, may
er one moment be lroublcd-the flowers ot menOl
that bloomed in the garden of the past, 70
as their petals in despair. As we stand by Il
IN tomb of the year which has just closed upon I
'"' think we not Of the many joys which filled
80 with so much ecstacy and do we not refe
- that some ofOur dear friends have been to
ed from US, sevcrng the links in the chain
'ni friendship, or plucking some favOrite flow
VI from the garden OF love! Once those freH
laughed as gaily as we the beautiful things
earth delighted them as much. But where a
Ms M they now! All! in the solitary shades of deu
lhe sleep they. The weeping willow waves
en- branches; and as the night wind passes o'
for the silent graves, and when the quiet ST
u "a look so mildly down they drop tear.
en-
ess,
but Year multiplies upon year, until at last
iio- locks of youth are frosted-thc brow is {
rowed-tha rose leaves the cheek-the Fl
Re. step grows less elastic-fnally. we make
to exit from earth. There is something in
lck close of the year that bears a semblance to
ce, reu end of life at its dawn we all JOY and
-, - gor, but at its close come the sad thoughts
nan the past moments which have gIided away
pts There is something which seems to tell US t
lee' another year has fed even the solemn mo
. ing of the midnight wind whispers, "gone,
10 ever gone" The little gems that sparkle u
the brow OF night seem tosay." " it hath passe
,;., Watching spirits forget not to remind US of
the close.
sth May all ofyou, my dear friends, who h
ner, hailed the - New Year" with so much gl
'tee ness, have many returns of the same may
""O future smile graciOusly upon you may an,
ev guide you Alright through life.
'aGe | May no tear of sorrow fall upon your ch,
On but the flowers Of peace and happiness st
in your pathway.
ig. Norfolk, Va.