Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-11-15
FRIENDSHIP.

True, unselfsh and uuarni.ho friend,
/ ship, emanating from iufc aid noble
heart, Is but the finer aud better Gift be
/ queathed to mortality by the Giver OF all
/ good, and the only true, soothing balm
| which affords ready relief to the Sad and
/ aching heart, on sorr0wing soul
w hen the fleaet becomes oeer-Iadeped
WITH the cares. disappointments and sorrows
/ 81 liie, how sweet 1t Is to have kind,
trusting and unselish friend, to whom we
may unbosom cur troubled hearts. receiving
soiaee and confidence ia returH when unre-
! strained confidence will bid The heart rest
at ease, and give an assurance through
| nope that cur trust will not be misplaced
though there may be many hts and shades
| thrown athwart fife rugged pathway.
4o the iioatlng mass which moves in the
elddy circles Of mock suciatr. how few
there are Who know or realize the true Inn
port Of that hallowed word. F.fea1sHfD.
With them it is but mockery-a convenient
word with which to luli 10 rest the early
suspicious OF the poor, innocent aud unwa
ry. 10 the calm and better feelings oc our
nature, friendship is a sweet sounding an
them, which we all love to lisp DER and
Der again, until JOY gladdens our hearts;
but, alas, lt too eft proves more deadly than
the adder 5 sting
There Is nothing so foul and dabasing 10
the human heart as mock fiiendship-in
sinuating assuranee-that alluring, derisive
and gainly smile-those soft, sweet aud
musical tones which defy suspicon-that
which gains confidence, secure, revelations
but proves deception. There is no agony
that waits Us in this life-notbiug 30 poig-
nant blighting and harr0wing-Both
fA.s%- vr.Til II L. IL
life warm bloOd-aunihilate reason. and
leave our whole physical organization one
laccIatcd, nlangted and inward bleeding
mass, or cuts the cord from every sheet an
choT Of hope, as deception-mocking and
dciuding friendship Ii rend5 affection 5
ties apart-blackens and destroys every nur.
tured hope-biights and blasts sweetest joys,
every cherished tie which nurluFed love and
trusting friendship has awakened within
generous, fond aud trusting heart
Seltiuterested friendship Is as frost 10
the budding flower destroys our early
hopes and readily blights maturing conf
dencc. W here confidence reigus. stlfishness
cannot enter; where base sel5shncss IS man
itest, honor and honesty may he mistTuSted.
Flattery viii veil her vanished face when
true friendship sitteth at her board. suspi-
cion Is denied entrance where caudor is bid
hearty welcome; doubt is abhorTed: friend
ship IS out mutual trust, and lillc the melt
i-,- e..ev Gahv, 9Ovn U0IistIUa i..sr l5gsl-
pose Is sought through artful praise
The sum Of lite consists Of triAes, and
friendship OF small matters; Ike a mighty
ediiics, if the atoms Of Bhichit Is composed
cTumble and waste away, that grand struct-
ure sill soon moulder into dust Ii takes
time 10 learn and unravel the character of a
fr9lTf--rtua fhgf l. nv Of srrasf
and whom we viii not despise.
Those who make the truest friends very
seldom, If ever, attract, or win the almirng
gaze at first sight; but they win admiration
and esteem through the enactment II tri-
fling courtesies, which, by slow degrees, win
our kindeSt regard and utmost confidence
Those who are friends at heart extend
kind foThearance toward the erring. ard b5
acts silently teach consideration. They are
generous and courteous, and scoTH 10 stoop
to mock the feelings Of Others or harshly
ccnsure the short comings Of their friends.
With a meek and gentle heart they win
share our joys, and win gladly bear part
Of our sorrows
They never forget that all, like them
selves, are but mortal, and deserve the
kin3est sympathy Of a common brother
hood.
Friendship opens the lips in confidence.
while indulgence beams from the eye.
There is no love Of boasting; the heart is
made glad with kindness. There is sweet
communion of hopes and aspirations, fer
vent breathings of the heart, and pleas
ant interchange of affections treasured Sc
crots. We placidly listen to the voice Of
complaint, and gently whisper words Of
comfort.
Thus our natures are blended into one.
OF all our aspirations, hopes, fears and sor-
rows, each bear proportionate part as We
hand in hand traverse the rugged path of
.ife Though death viii separate all, yet
the true friend win long live in our memory
after the false and treacherous viii have
been forgotten.