The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-04-13
ELko, NEVADA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL IS, 1870.
Langsyne.

A wandering minstrel paused, tired and
hungry, IN front of a tavern, in one Of our in
land villages, and resting his harp on the
doorstep hestruck a few chords and sang in
tremulous voice, of LauSsyne. o."
1t was evening, and the villagers were flock
ing homeward from their days work; yet each
one listened to the simple lay, which seemed
to be addressed to every hoart. An old man
paused, and rested on his cane. As the air
was waited to his ears, by the same breeze
which stirred his hoary locks, sweet visions
OF the past arose before him. He was a youth
in all his strength and glory--ambition lured
him--a fair form stood beside him-a gentle
voice cheered him on. Then came his man
hood; and pretty children nestled in his
arms and around his knees; they called him
father; the minstrel paused and the old man
went home-home to his dear old wife, the
girl OF his youth, and with smile on his lips
he talked with her of Langsyne. 4g# ar-
There were others there who paused to lis
| ten 10 the song. A widow stood grasping the
arm OF child, and as the old, old song fell on
her ears, sunny home arose before her-the
home of her wayward maidenhood. She sees
her parents tears; tears for her. Now each
drop scathes her heart. She is bride with
out her parents blessing. Oh, years Of un-
told misery! Then the corpse of him for
whom she bartered youth and happiness, lies
before her; and she is all alone. This is the
picture which memory brings to her of the
days of old Lnngsyne
The drunkard paused as he drained his
glass. What vision does he behold! All!
such visions he has not seen for years
Around happy iresidc arc gathered his sis
tiers and brothers. He hears his father s
prayer and the sweet notes of his mother
voice as she sings the evening hymn. Then
another form arises--the pale face OF his neg
lected wife, watching for his coming. He
lt4h hot ,tEitl 1t,,f, hu, p,,l
hurried home, thinking of Langsyne. ..,rf.
Two mai1ens paused in their evening walk,
tn listen to the air. Tears glistened on the
checks of one; but the other stood stately.
cold and sad. She shiSered as her thoughts
turned backward, and she saw the noble form
Of a young brother, whom she urged 20 vindi-
cate his fair mime from the dispersion of a
slanderer; and now his grave rises before her.
But she who weeps--why does she weepi
Is it the vision of some,secret sin which now
comes floating back from the past? No; her
past Is AS pure as the crystal tear drops which
rest on her checks. Sweet visions Of home,
happiness, and of heaven, touched her heart,
and tears gushed forth unbidden as she lis
tend To the song of Auld LanEsyne.
group of merry school children paused
from skipping the rope, and mutely listened
then whispered: That's grandmas song"
and scampered away to their happy, innocent,
childish play.
An invalid raised his head from his pillow.
He forgot his pain-forgot that he was in a
foreign land-lulled and soo;hed by the song,
he slumbered and dreamed of his Scotland
home, and of Langsync.
Sweet dreams of the past! how light thing
will awaken you into life again. \ song, q
moving leaf, trinkct or flower will often
bring up the dead past and invest with life
those dear forms long since gone
Blessed thrice blessed are th osc who have
no bitter memories OF LAugsyne.-N D. Sun,
hiy Times.