Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-04-10


--.s--------..-s-s-s---.-s-.----a
when the hall-door was opened moment
by the wind; but then We were not afraid
for wasn't it her old smile she wore ITO sit
there around the fire, and weep over tho
" Babes in the Wood" who lay down side
by side in the great solemn shadows; and
strangely glad we felt when the robin rod
breast covered them with leaves. and last
of all, when the angels took them out of the
night into day everlasting.
We may think what we will of it now,
but the song and the story heard around
the kitchen fire have colorcd the thoughts
and lives of most of us have given us the
germs vr wnatever poetry blesscs cur hearts.
whatever memory blooms in our yesterdays.
Attribute whatever we may to the school
and the school-master, the rays which
make that little summers day we call life,
radiate from the God-swcpt circle of the
hearthStone.
Then she sings an old lullaby she sang
to mother-her mother sang to her; but
she does not sing it through, and falters
ere tbs done. She rests her head upon
her hands, and it is silent in the old kitch
en-. Something glitters down between her
fingers and the freight, and it looks like
| rain in the soft sunshine. The old grand
mother is thinking when she first heard the
song, and of the voice that sang it; when
light-haired and light-hearted girl, she
hung around that mothers chair nor saw
the shadows of the years to come o, the
days that arc no more! What spell can
we weave to bring them back again What
words can we unsOy, what deeds undo to
set back, lust this once, the ancient clock
of time
SO all our little hands were forever cling
ing to her garment, and staying her as if
from dying, for long ago she had done liv
ing for herself, and lived alone in us. But
the old kitchen wants presence to-day,
and the rush -bottomed chair is tcnantless.
How she used to welcome us when VIC
were grown, and came back once more to
the homestead !
We thought we were men and women,
but were children there. The old fash,
loncd grandmother was blind in the eyes,
but She saw with her heart as she always
did. We threw our long shadows through
the open door, and she felt them as thcv
fell over her form, and she looked dimly up
and saw all shapes in the doorway, and she
says, Edward know, and Lucy's voice
oop -haor, but ~honO ~ thOt other2 tt
must be James 's"-for she had almost for
gotten the folded hands. 90! no not
Jane, for she-lct me sec-she is waiting
for me, isn't she ?" and the old grandmoth,
er wandered and wept.
1t is another daughter, grandmother,
that Edward has brought" says some one,
"for your blessing"
elias she blue eyes, my son? Put her hand
in mine, for she is my latest born, the child
of my old age Shall sing you song,
children? Her hand is in her pocket, as
of old; she is idly fumbling for toy, a
welcome gift to the children that have come
again.
One of us mon as We thought we were,
is weeping; she hears the half-supprcssed
sob; she says, as be extends her feeble
hand -, |" Here. nv poor child. .Fest upon
grandmother's shoulder; she will protect
you from all harm. Come children, sit
around the fire again Shall sing song,
or tell YOU story? Stir the fire, for it is
cold the nights are growing COLDER"
The clock in the corner struck nine. tho
bedtime of the old days. The song Of life
was indeed sung, the story told-it indeed
was bedtime at last Good night to thee
grandmother. The old fashioned grand
mother was no more, and we miss her for
ever. But we will set up tablet in the
midst of the heart, and write on it only
thus:
SACRED To TrIp NtENyopvy