Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-03-21
FACES AND SUNSHINE.

of human nature. No two minds think
ing in the same channel No two hearts
beating in unison. No two souls longing
for the same future. No two faces wear.
ing the same expression. No two steps
keeping time, for all are tramping to
different music-tramping from the era
die to the grave Roll on, great muir
muring tide of humanity-the battle is q
hard one, but still, one that must be
fought ont. Wherefore do we exchange
smiles and courtesies2 Why do we probe
each other to the secret soul2 Why as
sail the fortress OF each others individu-
atty? 1t can never be stormed. We
may make sunshine for others, but every
soul must keep its own secret and walk
in the shadow of its own inevitable sor-
rows--alone. There can be no COM
.mingling of minds-no fusion of spirits.
With their utmost intimacy, they are as
far apart as the stars, and as distinct
Like the stars, their lights may meet and
blend, but the union is at a point of
space midway betwixt time and eternity
The same law governs both. The mate
rial aud immaterial systems move, indeed,
in harmony One is necessary to the
other. Still, if they cannot live apart,
they cannot blend into one.
Faces on the street Ambition drift
ing along the sidewalk. Love huttering
on to dsstiny--weal or woe Fate tramp
ing with noiseless but unfalteriug step,
never, never TO pause, until il tracks its
victim to the grave, Who comes here ?
Forty winters and a, thousand passions
have grooyed his face and whitened his
hairs. The deep gray eye is full of fire
and resolve The lips are full, but com
pressed. The brow broad and high. |
And such soul There is no compro-
mise in any feature of his face no con-
cession liz his proud and stately step.
His intellect and will, are bending those
of other men, as the winds bend the |
slender reeds. As he moves on, he is |
mark for all eyes To one he conde-
scends smile, to another bow, and to |
the thousands whom he meets, no other
sign of recognition than that which says,
make way for superior But here is
another exactly the opposite. His gait |
illustrates his character. His features
are regular, expressive, and full Of COM
promise, The blue, genial eye, as it falls |
upon men, disarms them of opposition |
10 whatever. enterprises he may pursue,
and wrings a quiet, peaceful existence |
from the very turbulence of human pas
sions. Pass on, thou unsel6sh soul |
Though thy face may wear smile for |
all-all will never know the sorrow that
comes to thee as thou lookest out upon
the black world at the noon of night
There is sunshine on the pavement
God bless her How beauty sits upon
every feature and makes us thankful that
heaven has afforded us such glimpses
through the storms and tears and battle
smoke of life Wonder if she ever loved?
That she Is beloved, hundred fond eyes
attest Good as she is beautiful, we
tremble for her fate. The false hearted,
glittering for a day, in colors stolen from
heaven, may consummate at the sacred
altar the union of virtue with sin How
would that lilly bend to the inevitable
storm, when the lover threw of the mask
and revealed the villain2 Protect and
guard her, We good angels Sit in her
raven curls and whisper warning dreams
into her sleeping senses. How they roll
on, the human streamsl She is lost in
their receding pillows, but sunshine fol-
lows her steps.
Shadows on the pavement Black drap-
cry hutters everywhere, the sign and en-
blem of woe, for there has been war, and
manhood has gone down in battle, and
left the lot of widowhood TO unnumbered
thousands How pale is that cheek
yonderl How pensive the look, how
hopeless the eyes fall upon all around
Time will cure all, save the condition Of
the manned The sound Of the crutch
ningles with the din Of the heavy tramp
ers, and makes a note in the anthem Of
the street There bangs an armless
thousand arms were left on
the battle 6eId-left forever. They had !
been in the storms Of lead and iron aud |
steel. There goes beggar-not from
choice or svarice, hut from necessity. |
Once accustomed 10 luxury, be looks TO /
he future as the field in which bis strug- |
giles viii be for bread Yonder young
man, leaning by the doorway ola drink
pg house. survived the perils Of bat
lie only TO return 20 ruined home,
md find the girl who had promised to
y his wife when the wars were over,
married to snother-perbAps, his fee on
he seld Of battle. Shadows on the pave
rerff