The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1863-03-25

After another decade of years, filing up
the number to three score and ten, lot US
see how it is with Mr.. Ringstrsm, if all is
coming cut right. He is an old man now,
with snowy white hair, and form lost its fine
erectness This plain little house, with
ITS small, well-kept garden, is his home.
How different from the elegant mansion that
he dwelt in ten years ago! A few rods
distant stands the splendid residence Of a
retired merchant, whoss days are also fall
ing INTO the "sere and yellew leaf" The
one has been crowned with successes the
other with misfortunes. Whatever the
hand Of one was laid upon, had turned to
gold whatever. the others hand was laid
upon, had turned to dross. And now, in
their old age. as in the earlier period Of
their lives, they stand near together, but
as different in character as in external
condition.
For all his successes. nothing has come
out right with the rich old man. His
children have not taken honorable places
IL society, as useful. intelligent men and
women. They are discnntsnted idlers,
and wasting spendthrifts: and. in conss-
quence OF this, there is constant strife be-
tween them and their father, who, as he
grows older, Crews less patient with eve
rythins not in accordance with his views
and feelings. Having no employment. af.
ter long years Of busy, actiy. life, and
no taste for reading or art, his mind beats
all about restlessly all the while, hurting
iisefagainst the narrow walls of the prison
he has been building for il since manhood
and from which it cannot get free. Al
day he moves about with restless manner
and discontented face; or sits for lons
periods in moody silence; and half tn,
night he sighs an a sseepless pillow. Lif,
ffs 4 burden. III axes no interest in any.
thing or anybody out OF his own narrou
circle; aud in this there is not a. singl,
agreeable aspect. What compensation doe
he ind in his luxurious home. and its an
pie, richly cuItivated groundsi The starv.
ing mind will not draw healthy nutritior
from these; nay, it turns from them II
lsaihing.
II this is coming out all right, as ths
csnsun nation Of mans life in this world
then is life indeed failure. But there il
a coming out right in a different and high
er sense: and il was in this different sens,
that Adam Ringstrom had come out right
lie did not gain ease and competence fol
his declining years. but something better
the privilege (some would say necessity
for 50 1t seemed. looking IRON the outside,
OF beiag usefully employed as means oI
providing for the budy's needs. In thi
employment. which did not tar him /,
weariness, his mind found a resting place
to which il could return and quietly repos
for a season. and then lift itself again, an,
pass into tranquil regions, where light iron
sun. not of this world, filed all the crys
tal air with heavenly brightness. And a,
year after year made whittier his head, an,
duller the lustre Of his eyes, hopes. an,
frui,iuns, and sweet experiences were borl
in his soul. and the peace OF God tha
passeth all understanding was laid upon Il
!" am sorry 10 find you thus, in you
old age said former business acquain
tance, aluding {, his poverty.
VI l"di IlSNNt Wds thc o'hNihS eu9"St
All right. NV friend, and | would not tha
il were otherwise. He." and he raised hi
thin finger upward. "knows best. II
could have had nv own way, would hay
surrounded myself with earthly richie,
But lie saw what sse now, that my hear
would have rested in them as the creates
good. letting go ny hold on the more sub
stantial things Of heaven and just in th
degree that had done 50, justin the dc
gree that had turned myself away froI
spiritual good, 10 eat the chat OF natur,
would have been unhappy. Once, ! cal
ed my failures and losses misfortunes no.
see them to have been disguised blessing
lrom the hand Of God. II is all right, 81
All right, so far as | am concerned and
bless the Wisdom that made my path, an
the Hand that led me safely along its roug
places and difficult ascents."
! Not SO clear.sssins. not so submissive