The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-10-06
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THE PAST,

LIS Truly all iIl.spent Lille that can look back
upon the past and zee 10 sunny spots, see no
verdant islets in this great ocean of liGe-see
naught but boundess waste, all arid plain of
misery. lilo who has lived such life must in
deed possess spirit whose L" motions are dull as
night and whose affections are "dark as Ere
bus" Thank Heaven, it is not so with us-we
have no cause for murmuring at the past
Though our life. thus far, has been one of min
gled sunshine and storm, yet there are many
haPFy moments forever gone save to memory
alone, which we would FUN recall and live over -
many pleasures Of the morning of life now that
we are nearing the meridian, which afford us
much happiness by the very recollection of them
Although this life has been called-and TO some
extent truly" a veil Of tears," yet we see much
IN 1t to biud us to its terrestrial pleasures and
cause us TO neglect preparation for the celes
tial. We have never learned to regard it as
"au fieetng show" nor felt any truth in
the sentiment that "friendship's but name"
Who is it that enjoys no pleasurable emotions
while dwelling i'll sweet meditation upon the
scenes and friends Of other days, when the hearts
young affections were free from deceitful-
nessf And reader, we wecn that such is the
case W ith you. If so, you will pardon this feeble
attempt at dissertation on the past and while
to some it may be seemless and unmeauinp,
yet to others we trust 1t may touch q respon-
sive chord The only excuse we have to offer
for this intrusion (as it contains nothing in which
the public have any concern.) will be found on
reference to articles in the Anderson Gaz,tte,
Grcenville Enterprise and LaurensvIe Herald,
allu'ling to scenes which trnnspired when JAMES
HoLLtNGswoRriI, C. NJ. McJUxKly, J.. w. SAX
on, and the writer of this article worked in the
Herald Oiie. 1t would indeed betray a cal
lousness Of heart that we might well blush for,
were we to preserve O stubborn Indifference
in reference to those scenes. Like those of all
Printing Offices, We were jovial, happy set,
from the youngest apprentice to the clever
boss" himself; and should we live out the full
time allotted to man, some Of The most pleasant
recollections of our life will date from that
time. But alas: as in all the shifting things Of
life Fate bid a change in these happy scenes,
and The stern decree must be obeyed. Death,
the grizzly form OF Death, stalks in amongst us
and claims bright eyed, rosy checked lad, and
the favorite of household. The icy finger of
disease was laid upon him-the eye that so re-
Gently gave evidence Of vigorous health, and
spnrkled for long life. lies palsed in death
The coffin and the winding sheet are brought,
and poor JOHN is borne TO the Hills OF the Dead.
May he sleep sweetly in his narrow bed-may
the dews Of Heaven fall lightly upon the sod that
covers his corse.
Through the parental kindness OF forbearing
Prov idence four Of the group are still playing
their little parts in The great Drama Of Life, and
endeavoring to obtain living by the art pres.
erva,'ve"-one in Anderson, one in Greenvillc,
one in I.aurens and one in Abteville. A reun-
ion has been proposed md agreed to by the other
three, and in reply to their query, we say with
our whole heart we will join you; and as one of
the party proposes, "let the meeting take place
whero those happy moments, to which we have
alluded, were enjoyed" Yes there is no other
place 80 appropriate. We would gladly greet
once more The same happy faces within the old
walls Of that Office. To ns is halIowed spot,
with which many happy associations arc connect.
ed. Twas there many of our happy boyish days
were past-'twas there we first fel: the tender
aar,e" Of boyish love.