Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-01-07
The Nsws-Bsy's Address,
TO THE PATRONS OF
{hs 4)irsirir t''' II''''.


To patron and TO friend
And NAV success. without alloy,
Thy future paths attend.
We're on the bound'ry wall
Our backs upon the past
Ready to step across; where all
With darkness is o'ercast!
Who can the curtain raise,
That shrouds all future thlngsP
Shall pleasure light our coming deys ?
Or SoRRow flap her wingsl
One year ago-and joy
Attun'd the Newsboy's lay -
But oh since then, how many q boy
Hath seen 4 bitter day
Yesl-Eyes. that beam'd so bright
when dawn'd the last Newfear)
Now sparkle not for Deaths dull night
Hath clos'd their bright career.
And -(whose smiling face
A New Year welcome gave y
Ssy!-EIath the year bestow't no trace
OF death, or Of the grave?-
Hath DIsAPPcrSrNEST shed
No blight upon thy way7
Hath JOY, with brilliant sunshine, fPed-
One bright, incessant day'
1t were not good, that man
Should. thus, in pleasure ride;
Nor 81 uld we, with repining, scan
The sorrows that we bide.
THAT EYE, which scans the Spheres
I'm their unerring fight,)-
Sees, too. the silent, scalding tears,
Tho wept in darkest night.
The seed in tears that's sown,
Ill al xta
The frui: shall, surely, be full grown
Tho not inedrtHyfeid.
Then. trust in Providence,
As long as life shall last
Ave!-TRUsr; for all He ,riH dispense:
And BLESS; for dHhe past.
Come, Muse with thankful verse,
Now sing the mercies giv'n:
his far more grateful 10 rehearse
The blessings, sent from Heav'n.
The Cen'ral year was crOvnd
With plenty and with health
And the farmers teemng fields abound,
With uncomputed wealth.
Our Southern planters lands
With snowy fakes are spread:
And the tow'ring cane. in grandeur stands
Upon its wel-tilld bed.
And seas of golden wheat
Beneath the South Wind wave.
This cheering sign our people greet
A lesson ledrn'd-T0 SA FE.
Our swine are rais'd at home
At home. our meat we pack;
Ere long, abroad wen cease 10 roam,
For garments for the back.
Our youth respond no more
To Yankee College calls:
But delve the mines Of classic lore,
IN Lov'D YIRGrsIAs HALLS.
The dark and cruel storm,
From Ydukee Vengeance, sent,
Is weaken'd in its pow'r to harm.
Its swelling rage is spent.
Mao Unitarian iScheme,,
That thunder'd thro' our wales.
Are dead. Their relics serve, as themes
0flegendary tales.
To sober. SOUTHERN THINGS
We've brought our fancies low;
And in hard ,-ork, we seek the springs
Wherefrom Success must flow.
Our SOUTHERN WOMEN, too
The BRAVEST Of our BRAyEs-
HAVE TAUGHT NEN how to Dare and Do:
HER BANNER ever waves.
In strict economy,
In persevering toll.
The farmer-wives with husbands vie,
To till our genial soil.
Our own mechanics, too
Whose wares the stores should ill.,
Their divers handicrafts pursue,
With vigor and with skill.
Our land. in short, is rife
With marks Of industry.
Oh may this active, busy life
Our portion ever be!
To fan this noble flame,
And all improvements greet,
viii be our constant, steady aim,
With this our weekly sheet;-
Till night, from early morn,
To cOnsecrate EACH DAY;
And 10 he babies, get unborn,
We dedicate this lay.
Then, Patrons, bear in mind
The VENDER OF THE News:
And. what TO GIVE you are inclin'd,
He'll surely not refuse.