The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-02-13
For the Day Book.
The Youthful Poets Dream.
BR MRS. L. NJ. HUTCHINSON.

As the shades of night began to gather
over the surface of the Earth, young
man fatigued with the tolls Of the day,
betook himself to q wide spreading
oak, for the purpose Of reclining there
short time before resuming lis journey
to his distant home. Whilst in this sit
uation, he began to recall the scenes of
his early childhood, and the ten thousand
enjoymcnts, which he experienced under
his fathers roof. He saw, in fancy, his
fathert eye resting upon him-that faith
er being now in the grave-and viewing
him with the deep interest of parental
affection He saw his tender-hearted
mother yearning over him with the SYM
pathy of maternal love-and his brothers
and sisters, uniting with him in all the
endearments of mutual regard, as they
engaged joyfully in their ever varying,
and yet ever pleasing pastimes. OH
he seemed to cry to himself, that | could
thus always live, and thus always be
happy
Whilst thus musing he fell asleep
and dreamed, it seemed to him that he
was in a deep valley, and that at a little
distance from him, there rose in majestic
grandeur lofty mountain, on the sum-
init of which, there was placed an eleva-
ted column, on which We're inscribed tho
names of those who had rendered them
selves distinguished amongst mankind
There, he saw the names of Homer and
Virgil, and Horace and many others of
like fame, and that the inscription was
still lengthen, as age after age passed
away. He endeavored to trace these dis
tinguished names from remote antiquity
down to the present era. But he found
that, remote as he was, he could discern
few names dstinctly-and he cndeavor-
ed, therefore, to climb the mountain, and
get near to the majestic pillar. But,
alas he found that strong and agouizing
as were his exertons, failure only was
the result. He gained little in his ele-
walton, yet, SO little that he became almost
discouraged and was on the point of dis
continuing his efforts, when on distant
crag Of the mountain, he saw fairy ga
zing, with fixed eye upon him as if
watching his every movement.
At length, said he to the fairy,
who art thou, and what is thy name?
why do you enquire my name, said
she.
Because wish to ascertain the way
of approach to that pillar" pointing it
out with his hand
That PILLARS unapproachable to the
faint-hearted and inglorious.
FAnd am one Of that nulnber?'
Time will tell thee-If thou hast sui
ficient ambition and strength to scale this
lofty mountain, thou canst not only read
the names those enrolled there, but en-
roll thine own there too!'
'And art-thou placed here to aid or
taunt those that are endeavoring TO gain
this mighty height?'
4 am placed here to encourage them
And why dost thou not tell me thy
name 2
My name is Perseverance,
Does thy name indicate thy vocation p
1T indicates that Perseverance, only,
will enable the youthful mind to attain
the,end Of its ambition
And canst thou extend thine assistance
to me {? .....
wilt thou assist thyseli?'
ITO the utmost -
'1hen thou shalt gain the object of thy
highest wishes?
May then rely on thee, Perserer-
aree?', ......
'On me alone
The young man awoke, and inspired
with new life and energy, cast aside all
his thoughts of home and early lite-all
his lassitude and dependency, and in the
energy of his renewed powers, rose to the
summit of the mountain, and saw his
name enrolled there with the heroes of
antiquity.
IT