Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-06
THE GAZETTE.
COMMUNICATED.

WEDNESDAY MORNING., JUNE i, 1860.

DEATii-ET J. L. JOHNSON.
\ youth. depressed in spirit by the vcissi-
tules Of Lies changaful dream, wandered
amid Natures most dc'cctab!o display; and
as he inspired the perfume Of the woodland 5
sweetest flowers, new sensations perVaoeo
his breast, and thoughts strange and unbld-
den rushed upon his mind. With his head
bowed in reflection, he moved on, and at
each step the worlds inyidious din gre" less
distinct, until it was, at last, lost in the dis
ta&ca.
Thus cnvironed, his soul dilatcd with re-
n.wcd vigor rs he inhaled the atmosphere,
uncon7u,nina,cd as it was By the jascncSs OF
mankind, aud aroused from the spell which
bound him. he exclaimed 90 man. Ito"
unlike Is thine intercourse with thy fellow
man 10 the harmony Of natures choir"
Lapsin- again into thought, ne mcdltatcd IN
silence and perceived much III the contrast
10 gric9e him; for there the gentle Violet
bioomcd modcStly by the side OF the talr Lily
without the former eVinclng envy. or the
latter manitcSting superiority; and the MOCK
ing bird tuned her throat with many songs
10 add sweetness to the note OF the monotO-
nous crow. Everything indicated the same
degree Of contontmcnt and all appeared 10
unite in concord to Oeautlty the eartn ana
giori!y the being who gave them origin.
The youth was al!ured still farther :nto
the DEPTHS OF rural enjoyment, and as he
pursued the path varlegatct By Flora Tar-
est gifts, new objects successfully presented
themselves 10 his mind, and filled him wiki
intense interest. Looking far up the vale,
he deserted a joyous crowd whose blthc sal
utations bespoke inherent JOY ana peace.
As the light breeze bore their cXnltant laugh
10 his ear, he qulckened his pace, ana soon
gained the spot whence so much happiness
issued lie recognized beings OF every age
in the jocund group and each lip seemed to
move in heaven-ikc sweetness. The strains
Of their voices added measure to the wind,
and he thought the place was indeed Il para
disc The hacyon spirit continued to sway
their souls until Il cause, mcomprchcnslhle
to the youth. changed the current OF their
feelings. and hu>hed their lips III terror
lie turned 10 one Of the now detected assem-
bly,, ana inquired, 'whcrctore the change.
IN an agitated tone he replied: See lar
down the ravine, that hldeous monster, whose
form fills the mind with dread Its name -
DEATH, the sum total OF all that EcSisto LIVE.
Ii has been the foe OF man since the GAVIN OF
creation, and in its path myrladS OF pam
tive voices swell IN agony aud reproach. It's
reckless touch blanches the heart Of feeble
infancy. stills the joyous pulse OF youth,
pal>ics me strength 81 sturdy manhood ana
extingushes the tiickermS A&ht 0. age.
Badge nor crest Is secure from this miEHly
Toe. The slAvc as he draSs his chains teeiS
Its stroke, and the flashing d:"i"H Of 2ariii,5
proudest monarch drops tarniSn1o from 'ae
ashy brow OF the stricken poten'a'c az Tue
beheSt OF th'S demon. =,
The youth saw innumerapls SI'ec're7 loi,
loving III the Monster dismal ""TN' an
heard the SooS OF bereavement appear III S~i-
rowing rebuke. Inc most plteouS eAcla'ii%-
tlons went echoing through the Wooui1ho'
and The impress Of inenable despair was seen
In the faces OF the anri90tcd group. -A:tcr
locking in triumph upon the havoc "liicN II
had produced, 1t went on Its course SpEc""-
Ing terror and destruction 1T every, sep
Prayer and cntrcaty were III turn used o"'
1t was as lncorrIglbIe IN us nature as IL Was
repulsiye i'll It's appearance, ana all sank
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