The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1866-1887, 1866-08-25
For the BUTTE RECORD.
A REVERE.

Ash sit musipg this evening thoughts
Of the past, imaginings for the future
gil my mind. life's checkered scenes are
present to my view, prospects for the
future rise up before me. Cease found
heart thy intense beating for a time,
and let me review the past.
Bright recollections carry me back to
my home in the Sunny South, now oh
how changed by an unfortunate rebel
lion. Forms and faces dear to me in
girlhood there / see, happy days, when
nought came between US and unalloyed
pleasure. l think, and wonder have
their lives been checkered as mine
Up in my room in the old brick
homestead, how many hours We passed
reading over, and over again letters
from old schoolmates. comparing
friends, reviewing school occurrences,
until the deep shades of twilight warn
cd us Of times flight. And now an
other vision floats before me. lam
in the far west-a happy bride just re-
turned from a visit to the home of my
childhood-all things look Joyous,
friends gather round US, our anticipa-
tons of happy future are bright, We
cannot realize dark spot. in our path
way through life. Here amoung assem-
bled friends, we enjoy mirth, music,
gladness of heart, and in the society
Of those possessed of talent, and merit,
pass the happy days away.
But bark rich gold fields have been
discovered. Who does not remember
the first gold report from California ?
Husbands, Fathers and Sons eagerly
listen, and with bounding hearts in the
found anticipation of realizing fortunes,
exclaimed Eureka" and leaving all
on earth that can afford solid happiness
domestic enjoyment-hie for the
new Ell Dorado. Gold! gold!! thou
curse to man seeking thee, finding thee
the same; slaves are those who seek
thee; tyrant art thou when found.
The scene changes, l am in q new
home, weary and sick at heart. Is
these pleasing thought associated with
this home !! Yes, one single bright spot
illumes the horizon, hope, health may
return, new friends be acquired, q new
era open to me, and rough as are ap-
pearences think
"Ther. is destiny that shapes our ends.
Rough hew them We msy."
hope, oh the fair visions, the pres
ents castles in the air, awhile they float,
then sink forever from sight.
A few short years of happiness, then
comes shaft to pierce, to bleed the
heart. Death enters the abode of peace
and happiness; life seems of no value;
mourning as one without hope, sigh
for the quiet of the grave. for rest;
rest, such as death only can give. 'Tis
past, the sod covers the forms of the
loved, the priced on earth. Can ever
hope again :! Body, soul, all seem sink
ing into nonentity. am sinking. sink
ing as if in the grasp of CephaIoptira.
struggle, can unloose the bonds Of
sorrow and grief that draws me down.
See I! what is that discern in the dis
lance! What sound do heart 'Tis
as mighty peal Of thunder, and now
! see word, written as with fire-In-
gratitude Yes, there is something
in life for which to live-du,ies to per
form-nerving my heart, | make the
fatal stab, and am free. Higher, holier
aims are before me. lam a respon>i-
BILE being Of Gods creation. His will
be done, not mine. Though dull and
cloudy looks the future, one brigh, ray
Of light is here-confidence in God.
The future, what is it! A sealed book
AuGusr 14th. 1850. Nj.