Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-06-07
The Old Folks at Home.

There is always a liability, when sons and
daughters have gone away from the home of
their childhood, and have formed homes Of
their own, gradually to lose the old attach
ments and cease to pay those attentions to
their parents which were so easy and natural
in the olden time. New associations, new
thoughts, new cares, all come in, filling the
mind and heart, and, if special pains be not
taken, they crowd out the old loves This
ought never to be- You should remember
that the change is with you, and not with
those you left behind. You have everything
new, much that is attractive in the present
and bright in the future their hearts cling
to the past, they have most in memory. When
you went away you knew not and will never
know until you experince it, what it cost them
to give you up, or what vacancy you left
behind. They have not, if you have, any
new loves to take the place Of the old. Do
not, then, heartlessly deprive them of what
you still can give of attention and love.
VISIT Your PARENTs.---If you live in the
same place, let your step be, perhaps daily, a
familiar one in the old home if you are
miles, yea, many miles away, make it your
business to 90 to them In this matter do
not regard time nor expense; the one is well
spent and the other will be fully, yea, hun
dred-fold repaid. When some day the word
reaches you, flashed over the telegraph, that
father Or mother has gone, you will not think
them much, those hours Of travel which last
bore you to their side
WRITE To YOUR PARENTS. Il have known
father and mother wait with sick hearts
through weary months, longing that some
word might reach them from an absent son
They have watched the mails till in despair
they have ceased to expect any more anC
while they may not have the grief of a great
bereavement, they have what is almost as
bad-the bitter consciousness that they are
not in mind enough even to call out few
poor lines from one whose infancy and early
years they watched with sleepless love. Som'
are often guilty Of this crime. | canot cal
it less--from sheer neglect or incidence
While an hour, perhaps a few moments
would suffice to write letter which woulC
give unspeakable satisfaction, they let months
and even years slip away in utter indifference
to all the pain they are causing. Oh, how
7 full is many a mothers heart Of sorrow anc
forebodings, when Just few words from al
absent son would fill it with Joy and praise
Such Indifference or neglect is shameful anC
wicked. One need not wonder that sons gull
ty of it are not prospered-that they wait il
vain for those turns of fortune which will
send them home, as they dream, to surprise
the old neighborhood with their wealth.
Their thoughtlessness has been productiv,
only of disaster,
Keep up your intercourse with father o
mother. Do not deem it sufficient to writ
when something important is to be told. Dc
not say, No news is good news If it b.
but few lines, write them write, if it b.
only to say, 81 am WE'LL" if it be only t.
send the salutation that says they are dear,
or the farewell that tells them that you ar
"ailectionate" still. The little messages shal
be like caskets of jewels, and the tears tina
} fall fondy over them will be treasures 70
you. Say with a warm-hearted son
"The hills may tower the waves may rise,
Aud roll between my home and me
Yot shall my quenchless memories
Turn with undying love to thee ~