The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-04-24

For the Intellgencer.
MEMORY.
Night, in all her solemn loveliness,
Ger my heart shadow caals;
Brings before me, Oh! howsyividly,
Olden memories of, the past.. .s
{ Memory's magic spell is-lingering o'er-rue- Is
night and it carries me back to the happy hours Of
my college days
Days Of joy, oh! days Of pleasure,
Gone-yes. gone, alas forever.
And how we'll. i now remember even the mort
minute incident Of these happy days; but there
was one event in my college career, which made
more. impress on my impulsive heart, than aught
that ever there occurred, and even now, it comes
hack thronghthe vista Of time, in all its solemn
force and beauty while turn back to the memory
ef those. .bygone hours, and sigh othinkf theysan
.uen,r return. Yes, the happiest remembrance Of
ilny college days is the OLD MANS PRAYER. l
well remainder him. as he stood, on that aventful
night. Commencement was over; the last carriage
had rolled away-alE had left the Chapel, and che
merry voices of lighthearted girls made the old
walls reyerberate with penls of merry laughter
for Commencement was oyer-vacation at hand,
and their joyous hearts danced at the anticipation
roe expected pleasures.
stood alone on the rostrum, and looked sadly
around the vacant hall. The valedictory address,
which I had just read, and which had won for me
plaudits of praise, was now crushed carelessly in
my hand. The rare flowers which had been show
cred in homage at my feet lay willing and unheed-
!od .Fol,. though had Won honor and distinction,
my heart was sorrowful, for 1 knew that night
would terminate my sojourn in those sheltering
walls. Naturally of delicate organization ahrank
ias ii we're from contact with the bustling world
without And now, when the hour. separation
had come, despite praise and applause, my soul
was dark. My child, (tbe voice va, low and
sweet why so sad? Has this spot SO great at
traction for thy young heart? I thought birds
were always glad to leave the cage. But, to fall
into the snare, Ianswered bitterly. Wisely spoken,
my child-but the words are too bitter to come
from thy lips. Tis true the world is snare, but
there is one who can guide thy erring steps in the
narrow path, and keep thee from all harm. Listen
to me--thres long years I have led you in the
paths of wisdom, and knowledge has taught you
to masler science, in its obstruse forms and to
delve deep into the ancient pages Of mystic lore'
and tonight, I have been more than rewarded by.
seeing The .learned and distinguished of this fam
city pay homage 20 my young protegss. 3 Soon we
will be separated, perhaps for life, and go,
,I-would bestow upon you parting gift.s.Wi you
promise to never forgetit? .:s IS:
Not until life's sun is sci,
Will /, thy holy2gift forget 4.
Then, ON thee, whom have loved rs d daughter,
and trnined with fathers devotion, bestow an
"Old Mans Blessing" Reverently, knelt at his
feet-the flowers cleaning around me, in the lam
bent light Of glittering amps-there, where I had
stood and listened to the heartless Hrekns of up
plause-there knelt to receive the parting bless
ing ofshe Old Professor. Gently, he laid his hand
upon rny bowed head, and prayed Og the pathos
Of thai prayer. It ever comes back through all
the weary changes-the lights and shadows of life;
and tonight, as sit Alone wrapped in the silvery
beams Of Luna's holy light, the scene-the hour
recalls those memories. The OLD MAN has passed
away. like shook fully ripe. He was gathered to
his fathers. "Dust, to dust, they said ashes to
ashes" and his spirit took its fight to realms above
Stil his parting blessing hovers DER me, and will
never be forgotten. Priced above all collegiate
honors is that low breathed prayer cfthe old Pro
teseor.
What is that, speakg of days gone by
Whispering so soft and low like sigh,
'Tis the magic harp of memory?
MAGGIE.