Smyrna times., 1860-01-19
Written for the Smyrna Times.
Leaves from ny Journal.

GOdvco 4iOAn LHy VOGtAGA'
Dec. 23-Frost! Icicles Chattering teeth!
Cod as a miserly old bachelors heart. Old
Bureas whistles around the caves, and rattles
the shutters, and whistles through the trees.
But there's no use shivering. We have TO turn
out. Rode several miles through the SNOW
Rather unfavorable 10 romantic thoughts, but
could not help indulging somewhat in that d.
rection we passed the old haunts and scenes
Ofmy boyhood days. The "the mulberry tree"
the "big ditch" the "hayglade," the "mea-
dow" the " old home," and a hundred other
objects, all endeared to me by some fond recol-
lection of the past. came in for their share of
the wanderers thoughts, and though the day
was rather unpromising. the ride was not, by
any means, unpleasant. OF course we soon
found roof to shelter U.S. and Of course we did
ample justice TO the ediblss about noon, and Of
course we enjoyed the company of the "old
folks" again. SHow, snow, snow. But we
took another ride through the storm, after
which we pitched our tents for another night.
After supper road into Willow Grove with
friend, for the purpose of attending a meeting
Of the e" Young America Literary Club" But
despite the go ahead proclvities of :" Y. A"
the storm was too much for him this time, and
we found the door locked and the fire extin-
gished so we concluded we wouldn't attend
disappointment, and the society is certainly
an excellent thing: duplicate of which would
do no harm in certain other localities / could
mention.
DEC. 25th. Cold again. Arose before
breakfast, and ate our breakfast after we arose.
Another ride. Good cheer. Old acquaintsn-
ces. Pleasant greetings good fire. De-
llclous apples. Another ride. A pleasant af-
ternoon. nice evening in a cozy parlor, and
we retired to snooze again. But it isn't SO
pleasant out of doors. for it is raining and freez-
ing, making a sheet of glass over everything.
What nice travelling it will be tomorrow.
Dec. 30th. Sleety. Icy. But took walk
over to my " Old Home," notwiIhstan nding, jus
TO see what change had taken place there
And whilst casting my eyes around, and CLAN.
cisg at each familiar spot, my memory goes
back to by-gone days. The dear ones that useC
TO assemble around that old hearth-side. Where
are theyi Alas, the cold sod has closed owe
all that was mortal of some of the number. !
father. mother, both gone from world O
sorrow to world of bliss. And the children
are separated. each bsffeting with the world
and each trying TO make the best of his lot
Not one remains in the neighborhood. Bu
though the family circle is broken here, it ma
be Joined again in heaven. But, we returne
sgsin, and in the afternoon took nasty ride
over wet road, to Camden Station. Arrive
an hour too early. Oh, dear! An hour !
Well, we had to make the best of it, SO we sa
down by good fire and awaited the arrival I
the train. An hour gone we found ourselvt
ratIling away toward our home. A scream
the whistle. A rattling of the brakes. Coz
ductor pskes bis head into the car. LeiPsic!
Another minute aud we were standing on Ii
plaiform,the iron horse bending his way for Il
Quaker City. But we didn't stand on ii
platform all night, for through the pOiteness
friends we were furnished with comfortab
carriage, and conveyed 10 - we'll we we
set down among friends, and we're going hon
when we get ready. have only to say in a
l dition that there is vast amount of corn b
ing sold all thrOughthe cenntry, farmers .
getting Hheir pockets well lined, Chose "a
dsH't get them picked ag ain,) and we may
look for better times. So we'll put on our b.
smiles. laugh the croakers all 10 scor J, look
the bright side Of everything, and go on o
] way rejoicing. Yours, &C., go ,VoLo.
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