Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-02-21
The Privileges OF Age.


linger among depressing subjects, repinlng
for what "time's etlacing fingers" VIII
never restore. Far better would 1t be to
muse on their remaining privileges, to re-
count them, and to rejoice in them. Many
instances have | witnessed, both Of this
spirit, and the want Of it, which left en-
during impressions.
| well remember an ancient dwelling,
sheltered by lofty, outrageous trees, and
with all the appendages of rural comfort,
A fair prospect of hill and dale, and broad
river, and distant spre, cheered the vine
covered piazzas, through whose loop, holes,
with the subdued cry of the steam-borne
cars. the worlds great Babel made dash
at the picture without coming too near
Traits of agricultural life, Invested OF It's
rude and sordid tolls, were pleasantly VS.
ible. A smooth-coated and symmetrical
COW rumnated over her clover meal a
faithful horse, submissive to the gentest
rein, protruded his honest face through the
barn window. A few broodlng mothers
were busy with the nurture of their chick
ems, while the proud father of the flock
told, with a clarion voice. his happiness.
There were trees, whose summer fruits
were richly swelling, and bushes Of rpen-
ing berries, and gardens OF choice yegeIa-
bles. Those who, from the hot and dusty
city, came to breathe the pure ar OF this
sylvan retreat, took note Of these creature
comforts" and thought they added beauty
to the landscape.
Within the abode, fair pictures and
books Of no mean literature adorned the
parlors; in the carpeted kitchen, licked
the stately old family clock, while the
bright dishes stood in orderly array upon
the speckless shelves. Visitants could not
but admire that union of taste and educa-
ton which makes rural life beautiful 1t
might seem almost an Elysium, where care
would delight to repose, or philosophy to
pursue her researches without interruption.
! But to any such remark the excellent
owner was wont mourntully to reply;
"Here are only two old people together
| Our children are married and gone. Some
of them are dead, We cannot be expected
to have much enjoyment"
Oh, dear friends, but it is expected thai
YOU Mo1dd. Your very statement Of the
premises is an admission of peculiar
sources of comfort.
"T,go Old people together" Whose sym
pathies can be so pertect} And IS no
svmpaty a source of happiness ? q, Side b!
side ye have iourneyed through joys anC
sorrows. You have stood by the grave
brink when it swallowed up your idols
and the iron that entered into your soul
was fused as living link that time nigh
never destroy. Under The cloud AM
through the sea, Won have walked hand il
hand heart to heart. What subjects o
communion must you have, with which NJ
other human being could intermediate
"TUo old people," Would your eEpe
rience be so rich and profound if you wer
not old or your congenaHty so entire
one was old and the other young 7 VIVA
a blessing that you can say, "Ihere ar
t1g0 of US" Can you realize the LONELINESS
= of soul that must gather around the word
'Iett alone3" How many of memory
? cherished pictures must then be We've
through binding tears how feelIngly tn
J, expression of the poet must be adopted
2 " tits the Survivor dies p
"OT chilIrsu are married Gnd golt.
Would you have it otherwise Was
p not fitting fer them to comply with the II
stitution of their Creator? Is it not bel
ter than if they were all at home, wilhou
: cougenial employment, pning in dlsar
= pointed hope, or solitude of heart? MAJ
d ried and gone To teach in other homt
/, the virtues they have learned from yor
If Perchance in newer settlements to dittus
|. the energy Of right habits and the big
It influence Of pure principles. Gone!
learn the luxury of hfe's most intense A
. fectons, and wisely to train their ow
young blossoms for time and eternit
L Praise God that it is so.
f "Some are dead." They have gone
little before. They have shown You Il
I, way through that gate where all the liz
= ing must pass. viii not their voice
20 welcome be sweet in the skies? Drea
We not sometimes that ye hear the echo
their barp-strlngs -? Is net your etern
u home brought nearer and made dearer t
J. them ? Then praise God.-Past Meri'
J. GGn.
49, STATE or PoMTIcAL OPINION IN rB