Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-09-07
Communication.
The old Homestead De-
serted.
For the Fayetteyill, observer.

Mr. EDIToR-YOur correspon
dent does moi propose to write a
romance, but simply to detail a
real history. There is an. at.
traction in the old homestead, that
those who have the misfortune to
be reared among strangers, never
appreciate. There is chord of
magnetic attraction in home .asso-
Citations, that is not felt anywhere
else; and the vibration Of this
chord touches every heart which
claims relation to that sacred
place. The prodigal, whose ca
reer we have detailed 10 the Holy
Scriptures, could not forget that
in his fathers house there was
plenty and to spare. Though he
had wandered far from bis fathers
house, and had spent his store,
and had seemingly forgotten home
for time, yet, when he came to
himself, all the better feelings of
bis nature were aroused and the
associations Of home occupied bis
thoughts. And it matters not how
far estranged children may be-
come from the counsel of their
parents or home associations,
there are times when the recollec-
tions of home rush overwhelming
ly upon them, and bring for the
time being, every thing else in
sweet submission to the al absorb
ing thoughts of home. The as.
SociatiOns Of home have saved
many young men from becoming
wrecks. But when home has lost
its centre of attractions--when
father and mother are gone, and
there is no longer a radiating
point, the heart grows sad, and
begins to calculate the probabili-
ties of reunion in the other world. |
| once knew a family-a happy
family-not one link in the chain
had been broken, but The family |
stood complete and perfect in man
and woinanhood, and numbering
ten in all. A visit to that happy |
family would have gladdened the
heart Of any one, as they sat en-
circling comfortable fire on some I
winters night. There were FIVE
sialwart young men, the pride and |
joy Of their parents, and three
beautiful young ladies, whose re-
tiniHg influence was felt and ac-
knowledged by all the circle
The united head of the family sati
as arbltratorS on questions OF dis
pute, and from whose decision no
appeal was ever thoughtnecessary.
But this delightful home circle
was soon broken-one by one that
family went TO the grave, aud to-
day there sleep in the same grave
gard three Of that happy group,
and one sleeps among strangers, |,
while four remain on earth, who
will soon lie down and die. Three
of these are ministers Of the Cos
pei of the Son of God-the other
is an old woman, as it were upon
the verge of the grave, blossom
ing for Heaven. These children ],
are scattered, and perhaps willnot
meet again in this world. All
that remains of the old homestead
is sill dear 10 them, and they
still, in speaking of it, callit home. {
a plain simple residence, with a {
few tall sh de trees, is all that re-
mains TO remind them of the un-
certainty of earthly possessions
or, worldly joys. But, there is
brighter side to this subject; though e
the old hearth stone Is cold forev- {
er, the departed members have
simply exchanged residences, and !;
are awaiting the arrival of the
rest of the family, where the CIR Q
Gle shall be united, and the angel d
Of death shall never be permitted
to enter and trouble that happy
group, Thetemporaryhab ?
Oh earth, will be exchanged for :
an eternal residence in Heaven. v
Respectfully. \
! j.