The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-10-28

love was stronger than them oil, aud after a few
years roses deaIer than the old uues were twin.
ing their tcndrilS round my heart, aud bloomlng
on my bosom. Another tree too, climbed over
my cottage window, and gave its beauty to my
own home. | was happy IN my new loves but
the old We're not forgotten, and often sought
the old farm and the iamliaG faces of my child
hood
But there came time when new house, uI
stately proportions, had heen reared in front oi
the homstrad, aud porch must bc thrown over
the south door to shade it from the sun, and Ia
join the old and now together.
| think must cut down Your rose tree "
said my tcnierhcdrled brother "but he
paused.
"oh, certainly" sail |, with choking sen.
sntion IN my throat, tits only u rose tree, and
must not stand in the way OF Improvements"
| caught up my babes aud rctreated 10 the ol i
chamber. How the past came throngiug back
! tried to be calm, to force back the tears, to
feel " that it was only a rose bush" Ond that il
must not and ought not TO take the place OF
better things. looked at it as it now shaded
the window, so full ot richness and fragrance
Ot was i'll the days of its blossoming) As |
looked there came blow, then another. Its
great branches grouned with agony; il was sew
cred at the root it was torn away, and tho sun
glared in upon me. | could bear no more. The
swelling fountains burst forth wrpt convul.
svely, wept like thong ghtlesS child.
Just then my mother entered the room and
seeing my fearful emotion, she srrong to NV
side, and drawing my head to her breast as she
used to do III years long gone , (dcar sain,cd
mother, ii brings tho tears even now as | think
OF thy love y, exclaimed: " Fannie, child, what
is the matter :"
"Oh. mother" !" cried see, they are tearing
away my rose-tree they are severing the last
link that bound me to home The new house
has covered the old door.stone The new yard
has spoiled the old circle; the barrel-spring is
dry the altar of stones we once erected 10
Friendship on the hill is thrown down; my
seat under the beech has been spoiled by the
plow the old walnut has gone into fite-woud ;
and now my rose-uec! You will all forget
me-"
MY dear child" said she, soothiugly, Gull
these changes have been made for tie best
Every one has added to our happiness and com.
fort. This is weakness in you. Do vou love
these inanimate things better than your friends?
Come, dry your tears, We nrc here and We
shall not forge, YOU
:" We aic ak here" How her soft, kind voice
calmed the turbulence Of my passionate spirii
In an instant looked up, aud smiled through
my tears. Hers were falling, too, as answer
ed {: " Yes, mother We are all hele" | looked
at the fresh bud opening on my heart, at anolh.
er at my ie only little more expanded and
my thoughts glanced away to u muuly form,
dearCr, n thousand times deurcr, than when |
gave up all for him 10 my own quiet home, my
own rose-trre, my new friends, my widened
sphere of action, my holier duties, my higher
responsibilities, and wiped my tcvrs and said.
~ Yes, mother, it is well We are all here Let
the old past go. The beautiful present is richer
aud fuller of light and love for these sacrihc S.
1t is we'll"
Thirty five years have passed since planted
my rose tree, one score and five since saw it
fall, and more than two score of that circle Of
friends who used to twne my roses in their hair
in the eory spring. have been called to the land
where tie flowers fade not
learned IA lesson that day which shall never
forget: that old things must give place to new,
and that they who bind their souls to the dead
will lose the rich fullness of the present, aud
shed muny bitter tears. Let us treasure its
memories, but not with sghng and sadness let
us learn to fee that the loved are never lost.
but still circing around, to bless and cheer, and
let our prayer ever be, Lold, keep our memory
greeu!"