Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-22
Our Social Circle.
Written for the Green Mountain Freeman.
How to live Happily.

Two individuals, each with small weight
upon his back, took "a journey through land
where light and shade, howery fields and bar
rem wastes, were variously intermixed.
One passed chcerfully along gathering
flowers wherever they appeared, and by exer-
cising a little patience, he often discovered
beautiful blossoms where at first he supposed
there were none, Every note of music
gladened his heart, and nothing that was fair
and lovely escaped his notice. When the
way lay through lone and dreary places, he
cheered himself by calling to mind the beau
ties he had observed in more congenial situa-
tions, and in hoping for better things in the
future. Sometimes the weight upon his back
became oppressive, but lie always managed to
change its position in such manner as to
give him immediate relief. Thus he went on
his way rejoicing, and when he arrived at the
place Of destination, he felt that his journey
had been both pleasant and profitable, and
that he had passed through fair and sunny
land
The other proceeded on his way with sad
countenance, gathering no flowers, for he saw
but few, and those he invariably considered
beneath his notice. When anything really
beautiful appeared, he passed it by UNDECIDED,
for he was all the time looking forward to
some great and imaginary object which he
fancied would afford him unalloyed pleasure.
Thus the little flowers which when gathered
form such charming boquots, were entirely
neglected, and as no large and gorgeous ones
appeared, he found nothing to cheer or COM
fort him. AT last he became so Indifferent
to all around him, that if anything of extra
ordinary beauty had attracted his attention,
probably it would not have been appreciated.
When in dismal places he was constantly re-
pining, and he thought himself the most af-
Aicted and miserable of mortals. The weight
upon his back constantly halrassed him, sim
ply because he took no pains to adjust it
properly. When he arrived at the end of
his journey he was weary ard dispirited,
and he felt that he had passed through a
dreary land where grew no pleasant thing.
Life is journey through land where
sunlight and shadow are blended, where the
rose blooms, and the thorn grows. Its cares
and perplexities, are little weights which can
be easily borne if properly viewed, but which
give pain and uneasiness if not rightly un.
derstood. Deeds of Kindness gentle words
and sunny smiles are sweet blossoms which
are strewed all along its pathway. Seasons
of afhiction and bereavement are barren and
gloomy places, but it depends much upon
ones self, whether at such times happines;
or misery predominates in the mind. Many
have experienced the sweetest joy when mos
afflicted.
Life is made up of little things, and he il
the happiest who culls the sweets of ever,
moment as it flies, who lives not in extrava
gent visions of the future, but who improves
and enjoys the present. Tho airy dreams 0
future happiness are never realized by rest
less mortals, and unless the duties Of ever,
heur as it passes, are performed and its bless
Sings appreciated, very likely life will be spcn
without much Improvement or enjoyment