The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-02-16
PEARLS AMID TIE PEBBLES
BY MISS HAITI b. swINEFoRD.

To the hidden depths Of the immor
tai soul amid the pebbles which cove,
lis rocky bed, lie pearls sparkling with
radiant glory, pearls Of intrinsic worth
In .his hidden retreat they exert on
influence which. pure and bright Of
themselves. is reflected with every ray
Of light. Like the rays Of tho suu, these
gems Of the soul shed their brillioncy
upon all; the evil and tho good, the
exalted and tho oppressed alike being
participants Of their cheering bright
ness.
In the toilsome journey of life, these
pearls arc often hidden from our view,
concealed by the pebbles which The ad-
verse tide has cast upon them. But as
the same all powerful arm which some
times for wise purposes casts the soul
into obscure darkness and again restores
it to the smiles of kind Bs6efactor, 80
the same means which -nut cut these
pearly rays from our sight, again dsclo
ses them But whcu disappointmcnts
do come, and happiness and peace give
place to distrust, aud too frequently to
dull despair. then Hope, pearl most
precious, diffnscs its radiance, giving
wings to dependency and illuminating
the M, stic future, the frowning cares
of which so lately clouded the horizon.
AS :he sunbeams dispel the rain clouds
and add life and beauty to natures
charms, so Hope disperses clouds from
the mind inspiring it with new vigor,
giving freshness aud vivacity to its la
te"t powers, and as guiding star,
faithfully points to the beacon mark
beyond The pearl Of Hope is gem of
which every heart is the possessor it
makes light the oncrous burdens which
duty urges upon us, smoothes the
rugged path to the lofty temple of
sciehce, and renders harmless tho thorny
Footsteps of fortune. This pearl never
grows dim. "Hope never dies" but with
unfailing purity retains its lustre till
the last spark Of life has left these
tenemcnts Of clay
The deceptive pearli of Fortune too
often proves guided pebble. whose
glittcring dross ensnares the unsuspcct-
ing. until too late to discover that it's
entcing charms were but an illusion.
With untiring zeal and assiduity the
ambitious aspirant eudcavors to grasp
the coveted treasure, enduring hard
ships, overcoming obstacles Of every
kind, bowing almost in ardoration to
the object ofhis pursuit. And ifattained,
how little does it reward him for the
labor! and how often, too, are his hopes,
entirely frustrated, the apparent bless
Ing proving course to his ardent de-
sires
Then appears the pearl OF Friendship,
more humble in prctcnsion, but, in
value, richly compensating for loss OF
earlhly treasures. 1t is jewel rare,
which has bafled all attempts Of skept-
les to dcpreciatc its value /; and though
its numerous countcrIeits often render
it despicable, they but prove it's real
worth. To the disappointed and care
worn this pearl brings joy and happiness;
it brigh,ens the life Of the wretched.
looseus the bonds Of the oppressed, and
brings sympathy and love to the heart
of the mourucr Yes, there are every
where pearls amid the pebbles; and
though tho pebbles Of misfortune are
strewn far and wide, we may ever find
pearls of friendship appearing to Tighten
our sorrows
Poverty, a gross, unsecmly pebble, is
everywhere to be met, under various
forms aud colors, yet the estimation in
which it is held is almost invariably the
same. 1t is said that it brings unhap.
piDess, and often disgrace, upon its pos
SCISSOR, debarr;ng him from society and
its pleasures, aud thus rendering him
the object Of contempt aud ridicule
But with the uid of the natLralist's eye
We may discern Charity not far off.-a
little unassuming pearl almost concealed
by the dross OF worldincss, and too
often by the love of applause; but to
the Rc6ner it is priceless value, bearing
on its bright surface not only smiles OF
love and friendship, but Of sympathy
and comfort
Apart from the rest, in humble
obscuniy, the pearl of Humility may be
found, mcekly submitting to the suprc-
macy Of its larger and more ostentatious
ne'ghbors. Unapprcciated by many, and
utterly disrcgarded by the votaries OF
Fashion, it lies almost invisible save by
Its unwavering brilliancy, which the
clouds ,f misfortune cannot dim, nor
tue smiles of prosperity brighten. Hu
mIllty is the embodiment Of Heaven 8
rarest virtues; truth and homer are
reflected from its surface. while beneath
the bright exterior a,c cnshrincd glories
which love and hope only can produce.
This pearl is unknown to the ambitions
whose only incentive is emulation tor
with modest influence "Humility leads
on, through the bitter sea Of experience
its vo'aies until it brings them to the
bright rock OF Safety" This prcciou.
pearl. too, lies among pebbles, the lar
gest aud most uDsightly of which is
Pride, in its importance almost crushing
Its modest aeigbbor. Pride, so disa.
greeablc in itself, also brings with il
many sad inAuenc IS; it binds it's fcttcrt
hrmly around the heart of it's victim
and with iron will guides his footsteps
'ncltes his mind with desires Of base