Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-09-26
THE SEASONS.

The following is from the pen of little
girl, thirteen years of age, and the daughter
of one whose sweet songs have often been
contributed to the press of this city. Be
ore reaching the zenith Of her fame as
poetess, and when scarcely out of her teens,
she fell victim to the consumption. The
following production indicates that the
poetic fire which linked her name with the
s6ag-birds of the South, finds response in
the only child who so beautifully handles
tn subjac:
The snow melts, the ice disappears, the
murmur of ills as they glide onward greet
the ear; the trees resume their verdure, the
air becomes more pleasant, and here and
there may be seen modest violet nestled
among the leaves peeping shyly at passers-
by, while the birds sing sweeJly from tree and
shrub. Then we know that winter is gone
and spring has arrived. The robins voice
is heard, merrily welcomiDglspring with her
pleasant days and calm, cool nights. Child
rem no longer remain indoors, but with
merry voices and happy hearts pursue their
many sports. All are gay, from the gray
haired man, who uncovering bis head, rev.
erently turns his eyes to heaven, exclaiming,
"Thank God, winter is gone," to the tiny
toddler scarce two years old, who sWeetly
lisps aspiring is tum." All are happy,
The rich, the poor, the well and the sick.
are thankful, that for time no snow will
FILL, and no cold winds blow. Sweet, gentle
spring, filings garlands DER the earth, and
Wrars the woods in splendor. March is soon
gone; then April comes, with her sOft, gen.
tie showers, which fall upon and bedeW the
earth, rousipg the flowers to raise tLeir
heads and shine forth ike gems. All nature
is a floral hall aud the earth an exposition
of beauty. Queen Flora, wrapped in a
robe of eoftest tints, her fair brow crowned
with roses, lilies, daisies and violets, mingled
with fresh green leaves, and the same sweet
flowers twined round her snowy arms and
wreathed in her flowing hair, pays Us long
lingering visit, and then as May disappears
and JuTe advances, she bids US tender
farewell.
True! Queen Flora leaves Us when
June arrives, but she leaves US great num-
Der Of her treasures to cheer and delight Us
until her return. All the cool, calm days of
spring are gone, and in their stead como
hot sultry days, when the sums torrid rays
drive US to the shade Of forest trees. We
often think that our country is very warm,
and that the heat is unbearable, and say all
manner of naughty things about it. We
60 not stop to think it was God who
made the heat, and that We sin when we
speak i'll of His works. Indeed summer Is
very warm, but there are many pleasures to
be derived from its heat Just suppose what
we would do, say AMI think, If we were to
have DO nice fruits.
1t is the very heat of which we complain
that ripens the fruits and grain which not
only yield to mankind pleasure, but his
daily bread. Is it rot wrong then, very
wrong, for rs to murmur at what the Crea
tor uOes Is it not our duty to bear pa
tiently the heat in summer aud the I'D in
winter? Think how when winter was here
you longed for the heat, and when it C. mes
you are still unsatisied Think Of how on
wintry evenings you crouched around the
fire, longing to so to play in the cool green
park and seek the shade Of some mighty
oak!
Spring is like unto merry child spend
ing is hours in careless sport; lingering 10
the forest shade, dancing on the green and
playing on the banks of ripping streams,
wearing garlands for her sunny hair aud as
quickly destroying them and casting them
into the waves, and ending the days sport
by falling asleep on the fresh green sod;
its tiny hand clutehing some favorite treasure
and its fair brow crowned with beautiful fio-
raj gems. Summer resembles o maiden
lust budding into womanhoOd-her fair
brow not vet crowned with the cares OF life.
Autumn is the portrait of beautiful wo-
man. The bud has changed to full blown
rose. Queen Flora has returned the same
gentle creature, but On her brow is stamped
q more thoughtful expression. The flowers
that cleaned in her hair in spring are re-
placed With'a chsplet of many colored leaves.
The poet has said truly that October is
Queen of the year."
o! speak not of May,
With her roses and spray;
She is lovely, we own, and charming and GEAR,
But tits beauty of face,
Not of mind, nor of grace,
And October's the soul and the queen of the
year."
When Autumn arrives the farmers labor
is done. His grain is stored away and hs
has plenty for winter.
.eThe farmer, light-hearted,
looks DER fields deserted,
And smiles at October, the queen Of the year"
The noise of theIrills has changed to q
low sweet murmur.
ssAnd the little brook with its messy grown rocks,
1t babbles no more its merry so G,
But its voice has sunk to a low sweet tune
That you scarce can hear as it glides along.
The grasshOpper sings doleful lay,
And the sunflOwer bows its head to weep,
The vine turns red DER the old stone wall,
And the butterfly worm has goIe to Sleep"
The bird song is heard and adds to the
beauty of the scene. But why fades the
splendor? Why ceases the birds carol?
| can answer in three words, "Winter is
come"
Cold winter with his treasures of snow
and ice has now arrived. No more playing
on the lawn, no more rambles in the woods.
"Old King Winter" has thrown amantle
of beautiful snow DER the earth. The muir
muir of the brooklet is hushed, for it 10
bound with chains; despairiDg captive in
the State prison was never more secure.
The air is chill, and the ground frozen hard
or covered DER with its snowy carpet.
Indeed we may say that Old Winter has
caused the beauties of the earth to fade.
(The floral beauties l mean, for there are
some refreshing scenes in winter 10 those
who like that part Of the Year, He has
wrapped the earth in its winding-sheet and
left us desolate. There is another thing to
think of; there are many that suffer from
clothing, except a few tattered rags, and
often not Bit of fire 10 warm them. Is it
not Oar duty to help them Is it not wrong
for us to irample over them? We should
raise the fallen and help the poor. But If
Gad sends sufferings and sorroTs to His
creatures, should they net bear them pa
tienily? Jesus neuer nned, aud yet, he
suffered, and why should not we?