Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-09-10
Farewell, SunmsE:


There is no distinctive characteristic
attending the coming and going of the
seasons that mark the change between
them, as that which distinguishes day
from night. They glide SO smoothly
from one to another that there a.e no
rough and unsighty Jennings On which
he wheels of Nature jar discordanily
as they pass,
Stern and go>yus Water giles mic
genial Spring; the rivor7 q ice are liqui-
fed and the lountaiy .! NOW az dis
solved, until at last the full beauty of
Spring is With rs.
Summer has been with us, with its
goldea sunshine, its birds of song, its
gorgeous array Of flowers, and its balmy
breezes, drowning tho wearying cares
O. life in delicious dreams. But already
her power is waning-her sceptre has
departed. We cannot tell the hour that
the mellow days Of Autumn take the
place of Summer. The sun shines
brightly, the grass is green, and flowers
are still in perfusion. Yet shadow, it
may be as light as that cast by brides
vail, has fallen npon the face of Nature,
and an Undesirable something is borne
upon tho breezes, whispering to our souls
that joyous Summer has FASTENED from
US, and that ''the melancholy days
havseome, the saddest in the year"
As | look upon inuumersble fields of
golden sheaves, | wonder what the van.
ished season has been to the busy mil
lions who inhabit this restless planet of
ours. The thought is too vast to be an
swered satisfactorily 10 my own mind
Bat we do know that tempest, pesti-
lence, peace and war, famine and plenty,
JOY and sorrow, hope and despair, have
followed each other in their missions of
destruction and consolation over the
earth. We have seen the flowers twined
for the bride, aud heard the joyous
chime of marriage bells. Aud these IN
turn have been followed by the shroud,
the pail; and tue light and joy of many
hearts aud homes, have been carried to
their last resting place. We meet one in
in our walks, whose life and brow give
no token of sorrow, yet since May left
Ter tears upon the flowers and resigned
her place to June, she has burie in hei
heart a love as bright as the beams 81
morning. But bravely she has taken ur
the burden Of life again and there are
no false notes in her song. Only some
times she unlocks the secret chamber o.
heart and bows in anguish before the
ashes of her love. To such be mercful
o, God!
The past summer has in measure
become part of our beings, by the joy;
and sorrows she has brought to us. We
will treasure her JOY in memory's sane
tum and count them over in after day:
as miser counts his gold. Gently as g
departing spirit Summer has faded from
us. What will be our state when she
returns to us again with all her rich and
varied gifts? Shall we all be here toll
ing on in the conflict of life! Or vii
some have grown weary and laid them
down in peace, to rest beside their loved
ones who have gone before them to the
shining shore? Then
Farewell, Summer-laughing Summer,
Full of gladness and OF mirth;
fastening from Us ever quickly,
Leaving in our hearts a dearth
Signing TOR the hopes that budded
In the Spring times early hours,
Blighted now and wasted, withered,
Find a grave with summer flowers.
Farewell, Summer! Traces linger
In the forest and the glen
Traces of departed beauty,
That will come TO usagain.
But thy fading leaves now cover
Silent lips and hearts so still
They will wake not at thy coming,
Till it is the Masters will
PRESCOTT, Sept. 1, 1869. AGATE.