The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-03

All his is a strange, rare gif-the sgit
key which leads into gloriously beautiful pal
aces of Thought, adorned with the rich. glow
ing flowers of Imagination, and perfumed witt
the sweet breath Of Poesy: the power to touch
the heart strings of others, and wake whatso
ever music he will Surely there can be ne
higher, no nobler mission on earth than his
and vet there are times when that noble hear
is bowed low, and the weary spirit finds ne
resting place. Ah there are fhorns within
the laurel 'rrea h which encircles his brow
and often times they press down into his hear
till it weeps tears of blood His proud, sen
stive spirit suffers anguish which lesser mind
can never know. Others may drink from the
cool fountain with which he supplies them
but be remains s., tired and thirsty T
1t is busy, crowded, dusty street Wealth
and poverty meet there-crime and virtue
ruGeness and gentiity. The rude. noisv news
boy accosts the man of wealth and influence
and ragged little children brush past the ele
gantly dressed. idly sauntering LADY, And
see there is an old man moving slowly. feebly
along the crowded sidewalk. Age and power.
ty are written in deep lioes on his forehead
and care and sorrow have placed their pale
mask on his cheek. And see the old man is
blind The clear sky, the green trees, and
the thousand beauties of art and nature, are
nothing to him,-those dark gray eyes have
lost their power-they are sightless See
how heavily he leans on the staff which sup
ports him as he gently yields TO the guidance
of the little dog which leads him. When age
is left alone and in poverty. it is a sad. sad
sight; and yet no murmurings escape the aged
lips, no frown shadows the wrinkled brow, but
when passer by kindly drops penny or a
piece of silver in the shriveled, outstretchpd
hand, ffrvent God bless you + rewards the
giver. And yet it must have cost struggle
TO lay down forever the hopes which youth
always nurtures;-to walk on thorns and aharp
rocks where he had expected green grass and
flowers Years ago the fires of Ambition
burned high and holly in his breast. and his
sonl thirsted, painted for knowledge. He
sought it For months and years he toiIed
and studied; and when his slender means were
exhausted bis hands furnished the means by
which the cravings of his mind might be sat.
isfed. And though he labored and struggled
hard, and the grey morning often found his
lamp burning, he did not despair; for strength
MO in hsc forvr baa =, -. L..
and he looked forward to bright, gloriou:
future.
But the eagles wing will sometimes droop
the strongest arm will sometimes fail; and
over tasked nature at last gave way. Slowly
the light and beauty of the earth faded from
his vision. slowly the darkness enveloped him
striking into his very soul; slowly, but terribly
the crushing truth fell upon him-he ,oal
blind! Oh it was anguish, it was agony, tt
know that his own breath had poisoned tht
sweet draught he was just prepared to taste
to know that his own hand had placed tht
black, insurmonntable barrier between hiH
aid all the bright visions his fancy had pic
tured. And what wonder that he spent lon,
years in bitter repinings and vain regrets, nom
the less bitter because vain and unavailing
What wonder that he prayed for death, sine
the glory of life was taken. But there cam
alight at last-a soft, beautiful inner lighi
dispelling the gloom of his soul, filling it wit
peace, ave, even happiness. The fire tha
seemed to scorch aud wither, only purified
The storm that swept with such violenc,
Threatening to cast out every good and hol
passion. left his mind beautiful and freshene,
Years fed. aud friends and kindred died. an
he was left old, poor. blind and frie ndless.-
But he uttered no complaints. no repining
He had learned that hardest lesson-to sa
without a murmur, Thy will he done.'
His spirit has found conch on which
may rest.-a fountain from which he ms
drink and never thirst again. but which 'pha
be as we'll Of wa er springing up unto eve
lasting life -.-... ...--
Strange that we should ever forget it.
Strange that so few seek it.