The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-03
for tke Dome Circle.
Communicated for the Portage County Democrat.
!" I'm so Tired and Thirsty
BY GERTRUDE HOWARD.


1t was warm June day; the sun poured
his hot, scorching rays full on the broad, dusty
street of the great city. filed with heated,
weary looking faces, when two little children
"a brother and sister--sat down to rest for
moment their aching liubs, or the stone steps
of large brick mansion. They were children
of poverty, one weuld know by the coarse,
soiled clothes that barely protected the young
forms and the sad, hopeless look on their wan
faces. The youngest was sweet little girlen
hose brow not more than five summers had
been written and yet you would know that
she had already seen sorrow, by the sad, de-
spairing tone in her voice, as, leaning her head
YEARLY on her brothers shoulder, she mur-
mured:
% Eddy I'm so tired and thirsty =
1t was no wonder the little ones feet were
weary, and her tongue parched, for they had
walked far that warm June day, and the faint
breeze hat scarcely lifi ed the light curls from
her cheek did not cool the heated throbbing
| forehead. But her works struck heart string
that awoke sad echo All that little child
had, unconsciously, spoken the hearts of thou
sands in this gay world of ours. There are
many whose hearts are weary and burning
with thirst they know not how to quench.
: Smiles may hide the flame laughter may
) cover the wound-but it is feeding the ire-it
> is driving the poison deeper.
In yonder luxuriaDtty furnished room sits
proud. beautiful woman. The golden sunlight.
/, siffed through curtains of rich crimson, falls
softly on snow-white shoulders and delicately
. rounded arms, and lights up with new bril-
> liancy the family tinged cheek. But the bright
4 head is bent low on the jewelled hand; the
g dark, velvety eyes droop; and the rose lips
:. wear tinge of sadness. How can she the
10 beautiful, the admired. the gifted, know mo-
;. ment Of sorrow That fair form has never
% known the burden of poverty: those dainty
hands have never wearied with toll: from in.
fancy she has reclined on downy pillows, and
ia tones of love and tenderness only have fallen
on her ear. From childhood her feet have
pressed velvet carpets, and the fairy form has
been clad in satins and adorned with jewels.
From maidenhood. noble hearts have been laid
on her shrine. and proud men sued for her IA
vor: and now in the glory of her womanhood,
surrounded by everything which wealth can
purchase or the hand of love bestow, all &C.
: knowledge her charms and the rich and hon.
ored render unto her homage. And yet
in the silence of her own room weight
settles on her heart, that the world'e
fattery cannot tighten; and she sighs, 1t does
not satisfyP All fair lady, the flowers thou
hast culled yield no sweet perfume,-their
odor is faint and unhealthy, and even now theil
bright colors are fading. withering in thy
grasp. Better for thee had thy sphere beer
humble, thy wants fewer, than that thou
shouldst repose on velvet couches and drinE
thy Gil from the cup of pleasure, and yet re
=. main Il so tired and thirsty z-a
as Let us go to yonder crowded room, whithe
nt all steps seem bending. Age wealth, wisdom
Ior and genius are assembled there, and befor
them all stands one in the glory of bis youn
oes manhood on whom all eyes are bent, and who's
words have power to thrill all hearts. Mar
Yell uo" WHICH, uO spouho 0NCIy NOiCO 10 uu5uct
be every breath stiled See !! how the light
and shades play over his face; how bis ey
flashes and darkens with the giant though
a that escape his lips, or melts into low, Iiqui
"'o softness as a sweeter theme possesses h
thoughts. Old and wise men who have sper
the their three score years and ten in sesrchin
far into the deep mysteries of nature, are siler
t Of and look on him with reverence. The votari
of Wealth and Fashion, with their glitterir
,ure display of satin and jewels, stand rebuked
the mightier power of Genius. Youth wi
have but just commenced the journey Of lii
:" whose feet are all unused to the thistles al
GUS rocks that beset their way. love to listen
the words of sweet wisdom which fall from |
the lips; aud pure browed maidens look on hi
with awe, while they love him 90 broth