The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-03-30
The s,,'oru Farewell.

IF ever latent feeling oflove and friend
ship assumes a tender reality, sweeping the
innermost depths of the soul, and kindling
sadly sweet emotions in two warm hearts, it
is as memory fingers upon the parting hour,
and we whisper that little, but expressive
word arewell."
Brave heart that has bufeted the storms
of life, and did not tremble for the issue when
troubles came, how powerless at last to check
the rising tear or suppress sigh as you ut
tered an adieu to the friend who had shared
your Joys and sorrows-your little playmate
in. childhoo1's happy days, when earth SEEM
ed paradise of winning confidence, inno-
cence, and truth.
As one who stands in deaths silent cham
Der, and while gazing on dead face upon
which the sad word s.ended" is written by icy
fingers; and is ready to forget and forgive all
the foIies of misspent life, and even draw
the "soft mantle Of charity over the record
of an enemy who had wronged us; even SO
when we CONS to part with those who only
had small share of our affections, and readl-
" forgive any differences that existed, or
hard feelings that blunted the warm current
of our regard If, then, such are our emo
lions upon saying adieu to some ordinary as
sociate how much more intense the feelings
of regard when the eye is resting upon Tea
lures endeared to US by thousand hallowed
membranes, and the hand clasps hand, per-
haps never again to feel its warm pressure,
never again to hear the kindly voice, or vel
come the smile that gladdened us Of yore.
But is it the mere fact OF parting that
gives us pain !? All, no !! rather is it the ques-
ton that intrudes itself upon us, how when
and aohere shall We meet again We are 10th
to say goodbye; for knowing how frail the
tenure we hold upon earth's dearest joys, and
that death is ever near, lurking in the fairest
flowers we cannot always Danish an apprehen-
sion for our safety and happiness, however
groundless that apprehension may be, and
when presentments Of evil and danger, almost
amounting to superstition, will sometimes take
possession of the most buoyant and fearless
heart.
How will it be at the next meeting?
Reader, you may well ponder this, you have
some dear one who is going from you, it may
be some bright sweet face you hope to call
your wife at no very distant day and she is
going from you, or you from her Have you
pledged vow of constancy, that nothing can
turn aside? or will time and distance have
taught you that 'sabsence conquors love?"
What is your next thought? When? Will
it be week, month, or year2 Will it be
when care and trouble have left deep burrows
upon your brow, and your eye has lost It's ius-
ire, and your cheek its wonted bloom? or will
1t be when you shall have added new laurels
to the history with which your life began! or
when you have gathered wreath Of glory to
crown maturer years: And, lastly, aohere9
Solemn thought! for you are now treading
upon sacred ground-your spirit is borne up
ward to the better land Will you meet at
last in heaven, where no adieu is spoken-no
farewell word can linger upon quivering lips
no tear can dim the light of loving eye
no throb Of pain ever reaches the soul
Breathe that word tenderly when you say
FAREWELL Seal it with a prayer, and guard
it with wish that heaven may guard and
bless your absent friend. Then, when death
shall still the throbbing pulse, and the "clods
of the valley" conceal from mortal gaze all
that remains of that loved companion. be your
trust that those you have SO tenderly cherish
ed here below, now wrapped in the fadeless
drapery of eternal rest, have gone toreceive
their reward.