Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1870-10-13
From Pomcroy's Democrat.l
OUR SATURDAY NIGHT
MERELY OPENING TIE DOOR.

In little churchyard out from tho
great city, near our olden home, new
made grave marks new conner to the
city of the dead since last we sat to OH
Saturday Night writing.
A full-length grave in country
church-yard just under the shadow
of the steeple which rises above the ma
ples-under the tremor OF the little bell
up there-out from the pews and the
pulpit rs the one who has but retired to
change his dress has gone-out from a
close, narrow, cramped life into his al
lotment of labor and reward in the
broad lasting Over the River.
We knew him years ago. a brave,
fearless youth. A noble man, There
were more thorns than roses in the gar
den of his young life, but he worked
well and bravely, needing not the bram-
bles, but gathering the roses, till many
the bouqet he plucked to gladden. hearts
and beautify homes, Narrower than
the lonely chamber of silence IN which
the temple of form in which he once
lived now reposes were the ideas taught
HIM in the years agone. But there was
in his soul a desire for light and truth.
And so, the growing wings of intellect
beat against the prison-bars fastened
across his minds vision, till at last they
broke down the dark barriers of fignor-
ance, and out in the free air, contining
the beautiful Eternity, he rode over the
storms to survey the new rest and the
new Home so beautifully called Heaven,
One day, months ago, when we sat
by the hearth and fender as visitor,
and saw him sitting on sofa just there,
holding on his arm and bosom his low
ed and beautiful darling, whose clear
eye and gentle life made his golden,
like her hair, we almost envied him the
quiet, real life he enjoyed in his little
country home. 1t was and is so un-
like ours-so widely different from the
busy, tiresome, drudgery Of our labor,
that we could have given him all we
had for the beautiful life he was living
for this sweet home-rests and castle
building, when came the Saturday
Night.
We talked long of life and its analy-
sis. 1t was not long ago. We once
expected to be the first Over There, for
his was the best health. And he asked
us so earnestly-he drew so close to his
heart the beautiful darling, all his own
he pressed at times such light yet
lasting kisses upon her brow and lips
as she rested there watching for the
words that came, that we looked again
and saw her alone-as now. AT last
we said
You are the nearer home.
why think so {?
Tonight we have seen them-our
messengers. To US they say, Not yet! !
all the while closer and still closer, lock
ing and interlocking the souls of you
who are so good, kind, and true to each
other, that she may soon follow you to
the Lnnd Of the Leal, where you shall
indeed be as one.
Then her arms drew still closer about
his neck, and he bent low to kiss the
golden hair and to kiss away the tears
from the eyes of her he loved. All,
good ifriends-that simple home Of Z
tellow-laborer was more of a palace than
many an one with many mansions.
Then, after all was still few mo
ments-after we had looked out of {
window to see where was the star We
learned to call ours years ago-aftel
she who rested there so sweetly on the
bosom of a true, earnest, loving
thoughtful husband had turned hel
head so we could no more see her eyes
he said
Sometimes l think the day will no
be so long, and I am ready to go-but
but who will care for my Darling
This is all that holds me to life afte
the work | am to do be done. WhC
will care for her as do ? Who vii
hold her life as I do! Who will pro
tect the one for whom will be waiting
and whose life must be with mine t
complete it for us both, Over There
you will protect her 2
Then | am ready to 60 at any time
This was all that held me here. an
tired of life here, and long to enter il
There. To be sure, it is beautiful herr
we all wish to stay here, but it vii
be more beautiful There, and to on
new home | am ready to go, and anxi
GUS to take her. Sometimes-yes
. often, when out from my home--l fee
momentary dread of death as thinl
of old lessons, but the cloud soon float
away, and | see the sky beyond, as now
Tell me of it, and we both will listen.
There is SO much to tell ! You vii
know it all before we can tell you. Blu
in this you do well. Clouds come, an(