Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-08-04

-ss7s1 fsas-a,.e
young man. He was born in this county
on the l1th Of January, 1S40. He com.
menced attending school at quite an early
age, and, having. the advantage Of a good
to acquire useful knowledge enabled him to
advance rapidly with his studies, bis time
being alternately occupied in attending
school and laboring at home on bis father
farm. He attended the Barnesvile lnsti.
tute several sessions, and in 1860 entered
the Ohio University at Athens, whore be
graduated in June. 1861. During his at.
Tendance there be was Secretary OF the
| Philomathean Society-his brother Barkley
being President. He returned home and
assisted his fSther on his farm until the fol-
lowing December, when he commenced the
study of law. He continued this study |
until tue dark days Of the summer Of 1852,
when he laid aside his books and in response
soldier and continued to serve faithfully,
brsvely and earnestly in that capacity until
his death. He was true patriot. In a
letter to his mother, written from Brandy
Station. on the Goth Of March last, be said:
Il think but breath the sentiment OF
oil rational beings, when say, we like the
busy hum Of peaceful industry far better
than the rattle Of musketry and the boom
ing Of cannon, but war sometimes neces-
sarly precedes happy and prosperous
| peace, and that man must be selfish indeed
who is not willing to make some sacrifices
in order to secure each a desirable consum-
nation. For my part, consider it great
privilege to be permitted to contribute my
mite for the preservation Of one Of the
best, freest, and most humane Cover nments
that the sun in heaven ever shines upon"
Capt. Hoge.. Wirt's company command;
eer; in recent letter to his wife, speaking OF
Wrt's death, says: "Wirt was an intelli-
spected, and grieve at his loss. His con
duct on the field was very brave. In the
mornings battle, he went in advance of the
line, when he took position and fred often
at the enemy, though exposed to cross
fire."
Writ devoted some Of his hours to the
writing OF verse. He was thus engaged on
the following production when he enlisted.
; The last unfinished verse, we trust and be-
lieve, was prophetic Of his own destiny.
When on life's pathway had trod
{ Some half score of years,
, Ah! then thought this is world
{ Where naught but joy appears;
a But wonder not that thought thus
r For then was child,
9 And never had false lights OF earth
0 My wand'riDg steps beguied.
Q All earth then seemed with beauty spread
y Before my youthful eye,
u And nature seemed with bounteous hand
IT The wants of man supply; "
,, Besides the air seemed ladened with
q Rich music and perfume,
y And these to me were then enough
10 keep away all gloom.
r I thought that'pleasure's cup was full
O Ofpure and unmixed joy.
I And that from sorrows chilling touch
q Twas free from all alloy
IS That happiest they Of human kind
!, Who live to drink it all,
knew not. he who drinks the most,
o Does drink the bitterest gall.
But soon while travelling on lifo's path
I. With light and buoyant steps.
N journeyed near an aged man
!. Who bowed his head and wept.
= And when looked upon his brow
And saw the marks of woe.
ct thought it strange-and in my mind
d wondered why twas SO. r.
~ ~ paused, and then the old man said,
=. ~ In trembling tones ofage, tnaugb
. %. You're light and gay, but now there's
y, My sorrows to assuage-
~ Oh! happy once was as you,
My path with flowers was spread,
II But now to me there seems a thorn
~ On every spot tread.
Iy Wealth and position once were mine,
~ But now they both have flown.
al And poor and iriendless in theiworld
@ I'm wandering alone.
" Think not that you will pass through life
u And not this lesson learn,
le That every man will sometime have
o. Sufficient cause to mourn.
NJ But while thought upon these words,
N Thus spoke in accents grave,
"a Times brazen wheel still bore mo on,
or Aud bore him to the grave.
,d But still | see that crooked form,
in Bent down by eighty years
n, And still think those solemn words
Are echoed in my ears.
Then next was surrounded by
NJ A gay and brilliant throng,
Of In festive plays they all went round,
GO Then joined in merry song.
'r- Their tip-toe tread seemed not 80 light
u AS all their spirits were
or Their brows were like the deep blue sea
20 When not breeze is there.
ut l asked myself if time would Ger,
I'd With his remorseless hand,
er Snatch youth and bloom from the fair chee
SO :. or this now happy band.
to Years passed, the living numbered few,
i'll BY death it was made less
ty then upon their foreheads saw
ng 1t plainly written-yes.
no. And when upon one happy morn
ny to tho church yard strayed,
w ~, And gazed upon the slab which marks
M ~. The place where had been laid
,S The still. cold forms of those who had
NY Thus prematurcly passed
;oc Into the grave, found that time
no us Had answered what l asked.
at Moro clearly still this truth became
YES Impressed upon my mind, 10
ar For while upon the messy turf -
re. silently recliasd--
he A nicture--(and thought twas real)
ltAx VaEtn