The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1872-02-01
THINGS AT n DISTANCE.

IHiHS0j NllcIl NltWtV lIOlll u us
lance, no matter of what nature
they may be, are very deceptive,
They deceive either as to size or
value, and often, very often, as to
both, In looking through the vista
Of coming years, great and remark
able events are seen; beneficial dis.
covcrcs are made, of which the
world knows nothing. Science has
perfected many things which are
now not perfect. No troubles, no
wafs, nor the evils attendant upon
them, are seen to mar the bright
picture. Death, the great destroyer,
has been stayed in his work Of DIES +.
truction among the young and beau.
ulul. There is n panacea for every
Ill. The earth presents to the en-
raptured vision one vast scene Of
beauty and pleasure; its inhabitants
have nothing TO do but TO live and
enjoy the productions Of those in,
ycntivc, prolific minds and fruitful
Iilnaginations,the posscS'ors of which
have gone before into the spirit
land, there is rest from all labor,
either physical or mental. But
when old time, on his ccaselcss, new
crtiring wing, shall bring this bright
scene nearer, when the years which
intervene between the present and
that glorious future will have pass
ed into eternity, many defective
features will be found. Many will
be found. as now, bcwailing because
they were not left unborn until the
world should be better fitted
for habitation. Some will be look
ing into the coming years, in antici-
patton Of some great good fortune
which is likely to befall them, 10
make them Weather, happier, or to
give them Il position Of greater i'm
portancc among their fellow men.
They are also anxious lest their
stay be not Of sufficient duration to
enable them to enjoy in reality of
nameless joys which are seen in he
distance. Something new will be
sought for with the same avidity as
now; and perfection, which is seen
now in distant time, will be inner
lection when viewed in the light
OF the present.
A fond mother pictures to herself
the young manhood of her infant
boy. She looks away into distant
time and sees him loved, hon.
orcd, and happy man. His path
through life's journey is thickly |
with flowers; no shadows Of
Of his own creating ever fall upon it;
he goes, there is the glad
with him. Aye, and the
the picture, bright as it is in the
distance, would lose none of its
beauty on q nearer approach, if a
mothers love and solicitudc could
command the respect and esteem
of others for the boy; if her hand
could plant and nourish the flowers
interference Of the boy
who will doubtless, in mis-
take, plant weeds, and cultivate
hem with care-ior perhaps he ex-
Dect, from them either flowers or
ruit-until they eventually choke
" crowd out the plants placed there
~ the hand of u tender parent.
But, despite the most strenuous eff
orts to conceal them, defects will
re seen as the years pass away; and,
hough they present themselves one
~ one, yet when the time between
infancy and manhood has passed,
wen mothers love cannot excuse
til the faults to which he is addicted:
md she regrets having expected so
much of one who is capable of so
title
Cities, in distance, have name
css and nUmberless attractions to r
hose who have never been within 4
heir limits; attractions and pleasur.
S which even the most favored of
lties fail to appreciate or realize.
he crown which fame is TO place
pom the brow of the ambitious as
irant looks glorious and comiOrta-
lie in The distance, and he tolls on.
trough the Shadows of the Cross"
crhaps, until it rests there. Is it
; comfortable as it appears! Some
mes it may be; but it is, fear,
Of as many thorns as flow
Rs, which prick and annoy the
carer. And then it requires so
luch to keep it in its place. Cen
ire, envy, and the superior abilities
+ Others are likely to cast it down,
nd crush it by the crowns they have
on.
AFTER in tln IIIrItN nnny