Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-24
MARCH "a, 1858.

on the battlefield, his life-blood fast ebbing |
away, thinks of home and dies.
How many, whose hearts beating high
with hope, and whose minds were fred by
dreams Of wealth, sought far off lands
''where gold lies shining on the rivers sands"
They severed the ties which bound them
to their homes, broke the pure chain Of
friendship and love which bound them to |
their wives and little ones, and left their
homes never TO see them again. But ah !!
when blighhng disease seized upon them
and the cold dew of death was gathering
upon their brows, with nought but the list
less strangers voice to soothe them in their
last moments; what to them was gold -
The poor wanderer then, but too late,
thinks of home. No fond wife to bathe
his burning brow and cheer his dying mo-
ments, no mothers tear-no kind sisters
hand shall ever then put flowers above the
lonely grave, where the wayward wanderer
sleeps that "dreamless sleep" that knows
no waking on earth, there is a charm in
home that will ever cling to the heart.
The girl whose heart is as tender as a
rosebud, and buoyant as a birds; the
youth with the first flush of manhood
dawniHg upon his brow, and the man of
business, surrounded with all the tolls,
cares and perplcxities of life, all feel its
power and acknowledge IFS influence.
The man whose life has been one inces-
SAINT round of crime, feels its power, ard the
remembrance of home, the pious lessons of
his dear mother, who has long since Joined
the angel band in heaven-the memory of
these, say, in his better moments, will play
around his heart like CLEAN of sunshine
around some dark old tower: For
Zen outcast may have heart and feeling
The worst at times be fond and true
And love like light, through dungeons steal
ing,
Though bars be there will sure break through
All around may be dark and gloomy,
but when tbs light of home shines, all is
fair and bright. Home sweet home -
Blessed, thrice blessed are those who have
dear old home.
WILL: WAMPUM.
Camden CO., March 1858.
~
Correspondence of the Spirit of the Age.
FRANKL1N DEpoT. VA.
Mr. EDIroR Finding myself safely
esconsed in my Sanctnm Sanctorum,'
perhaps it might not be uninterestingto some
of your readers to know something of this
beautiful little village, and how the cause
of temperance is progressing in the Old
Dominion
Franklin Depot is situated in Southamp.
ton county, on the Black-water river, al
its head Of navigation. A few years ago
it contained only one dwelling house and
one store; has now grown 10 be -four
ishing little village with about one hundred
inhabitants, three large stores, one tailor,
one large and commndious hotel kept by
gentlemanly proprietor, whose table is
always supplied with the best the surround
ing country affords, whose rooms are we'll
ventilated, beds cleanly and neat, and
whose sociable and accommodating char
acter and disposition, always make one
feel :" at home," and one Physician whose
successful treatment and knowledge of dis
eases, have acquired him considerable prac
tice.
This pleasant little place has no drone,
in the hive of nature drawing upon tn,
laboring man no nuisances butts filed witt
only such materials as are useful to societ,
and advantageous to the community Q
men, the bone and sinew of the land; (; n,
grog shop retailing the ardent, "whicl
maketh man drunk with wine or stron,
drink !" but the society is intelligent, ref
ned, social, moral and religious, with al
academy Of high order, where principle
of morality are inculcated upon the min
of the young; in the surrounding countr
churches of the various religious denomins
tions are situated, SO that all can convent
emily attend divine worship.
From its central location and facilitiC
offered, large and heavy business is don
here. 1t is the Depot for a considerabl
trade among the farmers, and by the az
commodating and liberal spirit of her me-
chants, buying and receiving the Farmer
produces at Norfolk prices, and sellin
them goods correspondingly, it has bee
the means of building up large trad
here in the staple products Of the countr
The large and magnificent Steam,
! Curiew," plies regularly between here. an
Plymouth, connecting with the Expire
train from Portsmouth, conveying passe
y gers and freights at all intermediate plac
;, on the Chowan River. Large quantiti
S of shad and fish caught in the North Ca
:: olna waters, are brought here and sold
d the Farmers.
e But among the many pleasant and agre
: able associations OF this and all other sin
# lar places, there is thorn to be foul
d among roses, rearing up its monster for
1t and thrusting its piercing head into Il
e very vitals of moral and religious influence
Just across Black-water river, is situatet
e the Black-water station, or Depot" whe
e spirituous liquors are retailed, and men Sc
L reeling, staggering and falling under
er weight and influence. What must be t
e, feelings Of man who will stand and
n the goblet, anil pour out liquor to a feIl'
ID man to intoxication, depriving him perha