The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-04-08
MEMORIES OF THE PAST.

come crowding into my mind, each striving
to gain supremacy over others, and in its
turn dethroned and dismissed. But now,
yelling up from the deep fountain Of mem'
ory, comes one thought, which is pleasant
to my mind pleasant to recall, now while
| am sitting here. l can look back, and a
dim but pleasing picture rises up before my
sight; growing moro distinct rs | continue
to look. Now it stands out boldly to my
view. 1t is the old homestead, with all its
beauties the dwelling house with its an
tiquc form, extensive lawn covered with
"nature's green" gently embracing the dus-
ty turnpike ) the tall clms pointing with
their long fingers to fields 0: plenty beyond.
1t seems us though can still continue ga
zing and never turn away my thoughts, so
associated is it with pleasant dreams of by
gone days. 1 can sec my fond grandpa
rents now, as they used to look, while seat
cd in their rustic seats beneath the shady
old elm in the garden. The playful brcezes
bore on their wings their whispcrings and
revercntally lifted their silver locks. Ia
little tiny child, full Of eager curiosity, kncw
no better sport than that Of climbing my
grandfather's knee, and listening with rapt
attention to musty stories of the Revolution.
The gallant bravery Of Washington, told
with Il kindly kinllc of those deep black
eyes, and an air Of reverence always in
spircd me with love and vcncration for the
father Of his country. And when he hal
finished, I teascd him to tell me more of this
wonderful parsonage, this great hero, so ia
nous in battle, SO beloved as n friend, so
honorcd rs a statesman. And The old gen.
teman would look ut me with those eyes
tl,a t still retained the fire of youth, and
mildly rcply-"My child, his good deeds
were numberlcss, but he has gone to re-
ccive his reward" This picture remains
on the scroll Of memory, and though the
adverse storms Of life may beat against it,
never can it be etfaccd.
Now my memory slightly changes. I
am standing in darkcned room, where ST.
lence reiyns deathlike and supreme. Pres.
emily hear feeble voice cxclaim, "Child,
come stand beside me-" I obey with sad
dened footsteps, scarce daring to breathe,
fearing lest it may be dreadful dream
Now am leaning DER a curtained bed
whcrcon reposes the emaciatcd form of my
grandfather. He raises his thin, bony hand
and places it upon my young head; no
words are uttered, they are not needed, for
with streaming eyes and quivering lip, l
know he is invoking the blessing he cannot
speak. I am conscious Of only one thing,
sorrowful thought, that grandfather is
nigh unto death, and that L am soon to
lose him. Soon he is to lie and be forgot
ten. Forgotten ah no, his face and form
will ever bc present in my musings, ever
'hang on mcmory's wall"
This picture recedes, but another sndly
prominent, follows mourn(ulIy. Nature is
robcd in her bridal dress Of snow, and
seems rejoicing that it becomes her so we'll
a funeral train, slowly marching on to-
wards the village churchyard, sheds a som
brc hue DER the whitcncd landscape. Thai
black pail covers the venerable form of my
grandfather. lie died full of years, ant
WAS gathered in unto the harvest rs sEocl
of ripcned grain. How distinctly do Sc,
the coffin let down into its lowly resting
place. How clearly I remember the youn!
minister who stood beside the grave, slowl,
pronouncing the burial service, and how j
Knocked my grief; how bitter feelings ros
up against him, to think had lost so grca
a friend, and he comparatively not secmin!
to know or care that he had gone.
There is another Of whom 1 can write
Ny grandmother, whose sanity smile ant
warm affection for me was unequalled
Fever with n continual bevy Of ways t.
amusc her harum scarum grandchid. How
loved her. And on cold. winter lights
when the winds wild lullaby SOUNDED
mournfully amid the branches of the trees
1 was cozily sitting at her feet, in front Of
bright blazing fire with my face all aglo,
with its radiant beams, while the merr
flames, all dancing with such happy glee
seemed to invite grandma and to partici
pate in the gala. At such seasons my dc
lighted fancy would roam far away into tn
field of Imagination, and there revel o
what would accomplish wien arrived q
maturer years; and while deeply thinking
I would hear low sweet voice saY,""Wha
are you looking so sad about, Ieea ?"-
And then would tell her my plans for til
future; what great wonders / wopld pa
form, when the seal Of womanhood was Sc
upon my brow. 'Ah," she, "ther
was a timeti my youthful days, when q
my, hopes were high, and sunny ipatl
z | y > r.. tt \