The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-02-07
For the Jofersonian Democrat.
Wayside Thoughts.

hungeu uhconhneu from grave TO gay."--Scon.
oUR DAUGHTER.
We had q daughter. II, in this life only
we had hope, how sad it would bu to our
growing ago. to look upon our most exquis-
ito joys as things of tho past--delighlful
memories, from which wo would no sooner
part than with Iifo itself; but which, in
thoir living reality, are among tho joys that
como no more.
Sbo camo not to US in tho first holplcss.
ness OF infancy, but just as time. with gen.
Ito hand, was unfolding tho portals of her
speech, aud infant reason was questioning
about tho many mysteries that mot her
gazo, as sho looked abroad upon this beau.
tiful world. And. in this house, beautiful
of nature, she accepted us as guides aud
Interpreters, with unquestioning confidence.
Confidence who that has folt the bitterness
of distrust and miscons truction, but would
take TO their hearts, with loving welcome,
the heart that camc with loving trust ? Hor
trust was no partial one; shc beloved
not only in our truthfulness and integrity
of intention, but in our ability to decide
and accomplish. When Hon. Seabury Ford
was nominated for Governor Of Ohio, some
papor remarked, There is no bettor man
In tho State;" aud this was quoted by the
friendly press generally, as an appropriate
watchword of tho campaign; and we thought
IL most truthful and suitable. But our
daughters affections took fro, aud found
expression by saying. sho guessed they
didn't know her Pa aud Mr..
Thus sbo grew up, with intellect and af.
fections SO blended with ours that she
watched our regulations with "a tenderness
| equal, in it's delicate analysis. to self.love.-
When sho accompanied mo, as was hen
| wont, in my walks about tho fields or forests
her presence ana observations filed me
with aient joy, yet embarrassed my in.
divGual meditatinns no moro than the
flowers that bloomod along nv path, or the
birds that sang their unprecedented songs.
Once, when INDUCED my pent.up pu-
sings By giving an audible voice TO my
thought by dcclaimng passage from "Tbe
Lay Of the Last Mins,reI'--
Cali it not vain, they do not err
Who say that when the poet dies,
Mute Nature mourns her worsbipor,
And celebrates his obsequies r.
She exclaimed with much oarnostness, "Pa,
you noed'nt call it VAIN; there's man
acoming." What a delicate instinct it was
that taught hor that such exhibitions were
for no other auditor but herself.
At length time, with silent psco. brought
hor to hor seventeenth year still, to US,
though her form assumed womsns pro,
portions, and her mind becune stored with
intellectual riches. she seemed tho conf.
ding child. Although her hoalth was never
very gond. still no shadow forowarned US of
hor departing.
A. ieDgIn III urguuic affection of the
brain approached o crisis that gave out in.
"A ,,t,. ,.,h
hearts. US with u bolt Of ice, reminding US
that, in this world,
Gan that's bright must fado.'
Hor disease, whlo il beclouded her per-
Ceptions of what was passing about hor,
seemed to heighten and intensity hor in.
telact and affections. SO that, in tho two
weeks Of hor illness, she displayed more OF
tho beauty Of her character, more womanly
dignity than wo boforo were aware of, ro.
! vealing to us tho treasure wo possessed
whilo wo wore trying to school our hearts
TO yield it to Him who gave it.
Is it not feeling common to most people
lit is 20 us--that, ii our intellect were dis.
ordered so us to romoyo tho habitual caution
with which wo give our thoughts 20 our
friends, and our words should run on with
whatever was in our hearts, wo might re-.
veal some inward baseuess, that might
lower us in tho estimation of those we love !:
With her, ovory expression indicated q
character exalted by such rovealings.
Alone unto our Fathers will,
Our hosrts arc roconcilod,
That He whose love exceodeth ours,
Hath taken homo his child.
We will change the sad expression with
which wo commenced. We have daughter.
She lives, as a bright example for our mem.
ories to cherish, Keeping alive our charity
for our fellow. beings; sho lives in that
home, blessed by tho presence of our
Heavenly Father, in whose house there arc
many mansions; where we trust. through
tho merits OF our Redeemor, we shall meet
her; whero thore is no sorrow; where God
shall wipe away all toars. n.