Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-12
A Beautiful Sketch.


We have. selected beautiful picture from
q recently published address Of Richard V.
Cook. Esq. Of Columbus, Texas, on the
Education and Influence of woman. twill
touch the heart Of the reader. We seldom
stumble upon so well expressed an idea of
woman's true mission:s a-4sa si.ss-9 aas
II fancy young man just emerging
from the bright elysium Of youth, and COM
mencing the bright journey of life. Hon.
est. noble, and gifted, the broad world to
his warm hopes is the future scene of afflu-
ence, fame and happiness. Under his ac
tive energies, business prospers, and as
consequence friends come about him. Ere
long he meets sensible and simple girl,
who wins his heart. and who loves and trusts
him in return. He doesn't stop to ask what
the world will say about the match in case
he marries her. Not he. The world is
kicked out of doors, and the man determin-
es to be the architect of his own happiness
He doesn't stop to inquire whether the girls
father is rich in lands and slaves and coin,
but he marries her for that most honest and
philosophic Of reasons-because he loves her!
He builds his home in some quiet spot where
green trees wave their summer glories, and
where bright sunbeams fall. Here is the
Mecca of his heart, towards which he turns
with more than Eartern alteration Here
is "a green island in the sea of life, where
rude winds never assvil, and storms never
come Here, from the troubles and cares
of existence, he finds solace in the society
other who is gentle without weakness, and
sensible without vanity.
Friends may betray him, and foes may
Cypress, but when towards home his weary
footsteps turn, and there beams upon him
golden smiles of welcome, the clouds lift
from his oul-the bruised heart is restored
and the strong man made whole. [ see a
man fall in adversely. Creditors seize his
property, poverty stares him in the face.
and he is avoided on all hands as a ruined
bankrupt. When he sees all go-friends,
credit and property grief-stricken and
penniless, heseeks his humble home. Now
does his wife desert him too? Nay, verify.
When the world a5andons and persecutes
the man, she draws closer to his side, and
her affection is all the warmer because the
evil day has come upon him. The moral
excellences Of her soul rise superior to the
disasters of fortune. And when she sees
the man sit mournful and disconsolate,
Themistocles by the Household Of Gods Ad-
methus, hers is the task to comfort and
console. She reminds him that misfortune
has often overtaken the wisest and best
that all is never lost while health and hope
survive; that she is still near to love, to
help and encourage him. The man listens
his courage rallies and the shadows fee
from his heart; armed once more, he enters
the arena of life. Industry ond energy re-
store him to competency fortune smiles up
or him, friends return and
Soy mounts exulting on triumphant wings"
Again the scene shifts. l see the man
stretched weak and wasted on bed Of sick
ness. The anxious wife anticipates every
want and necessity. Softly her foot falls
upon the carpet, and gently her hand pres
sed the fevered brow Of the sufferer -
Though the pale face gives token ofher
own WEAKNESS and suffering yet through
the long watches of each returning night
her vigils are kept beside the, loved ones
couch. At last disease beleaguers the for
tress oflife; and The physician solemnly
warns his patient that death is approaching.
He feels it, too; and the last words Of love
and trust are addressed to her who is weep
ing beside his dying bed. And, in truth,
the last hour hath come. I imagine it is a
fit time to depart for the golden sun him
self has died upon the evenings fair hori-
zon, and rosy clouds bear him to his grave
behind the western hills. Around the
couch of the dying man, weeping friends
and kinsmen stand while the minister slow
ly reads the holy words Of promise, II am
the Resurrection and the Life; he that be-
lieveth in me, shall never die" Slowly the
clock marks the passing moments, and 81
lently the sick mans breath is ebbing away.
Slowly the cold waters are rolling throug Oh
the gateways of life. And now, as the
death damp is on the victims brow, and the
heart throbs its last pulsations, the glszed
eye opens and turns in one full, fare we'll
glance of affection upon the trembling weep
er who bends over him; and ere the spirit
departs forever, the angels hear the wife
whisper-''I'll meet thee-Tll meet thee in
Heaven"