Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1874-09-19
IF ECTIO !.

rain, will make or mar 1t. True. II
nourishcs under ,he ,nOW Of adversely,
and the storm Of opposition cannot
bear it down. Dut when it has once
struggled through thcsc--ha@ pat
forth its rich, green leaves, and AN
folded its delicate blossoms to the WEI
come morning or the radiant noon
it needs gentle nourishmcnt and con-
slant care. Hardy as it seems, it is
ms sensitive as the mimOsa.. The foot
of strangers may tramplc it into the
earth and vet it will bud again with
new beauty and fresher fragrance.
But if the familiar hand that has
planted and tended it, ncglects or
touches it rudely, its leaves droOp or
the instant, and it is never itself again.
1t may not die, for its root is deep
and strong; but the dullcst eye can
see that it has lost It's olLcn SAVIOR, and
that for it The fair face Of the ovcrarch-
ing heavens is changed.
Would that every one understood
this. Then the garden OF our life
would he faircr, and the varied valley
Of our experience would be grceuer.
Affection is not the hawthorn with
all its sweetness. Nor is it the hum
>ble violet blowing under the hedge
and wasting its odors on the careless
air. No more is it the Aaring peony,
demanding attention, and displaying
its scentless hues to every gaze. It's
rather the firm but unObtrusivc eglan-
/ tine, growing wild aud yielding to cul'
ture as well, full Of perfume and full
of thorns, deligh.irS the sense when
it is gathered carefully, and wounding
the hand that scizcs it rudely typity-
ing beauty and tenderness, passion
and pam SO vigorous and even ro-
bust is it, that no tempest breaks, nc
lightning blasts it. And still its
dainty petals Of pink shrink beneath
ihe lepyr's kiss, and fail before tho
earliest frost.
How often is.lfcction blightcd by
the neglect Of those who should cher
ish and have cherished it. How or,
;. its sustaining tcndriis broken and il:
softncss crushed by The hand that ha:
forgotten gen:lene5s from over-usage
All along the highways and byway.
of life, plants Of affection might be dis
, covered dropping, withered. dying,
we but saw them through the glass
= of sympathy, and with the cunning @
. spiritual insight
To drop metaphor, very common
, popularity Of our nature is to under
value what we possess, and TO Ion!
for that which is beyond our reach.
. This is truer of The affections .hal
:, Of aught else. Women love for tn
sake of loving; men for the sake of be
ing loved; and they weary y-ofthe a0ec
ton so generously given, because the.
believe it wholly secured. The differ
ence between lovers and husband, ha
been the theme of "sGtiri-ts" fco!
time ilnmemorlal. The former are i
doubt, the latter are convinced OF til
affection they have sought. Perlet
securely begets carelessness; carcles:
ness neglect; neglect Indifference.
> Woman will love aud be loyal
:, death, if man will but foster her l0y
y and loyalty. instead of killing it h
:, inches with seeming nothings, that,
=, accumulation, are as the rock of Gil
ral;er. Believe-oh, careless son
OhCT-Iallu .-tbal IL 10 uiuCu W Sd
love, but that it is mc-r to keep i
. that TO win a heart involves solen
is responsibility, and demands its an
lg ious and cbivalrous keeping, till Il
u end of all things comes TO you :
Is When you find a soul rha. loves 70
IL reverence that soul, garner it up as
a sacredness and visit it with eli I
comforts and tendernesses that
nd long to you. Surround it with yo
20 worship, and sacrifice all seliisLnc
1T at its shrine; .or Of ali the excellen-
It's and benisons of life, love is chiefe
ra- purest, best.
a Have NJ dread Of being deem
&c. sentimental" since sentiment
as among the fneness Of spirit that I
-. rude world is always tending to
; stroy. Interweave the love you ha
no gained with the love you bear. Br;
be them together, like precious braids
cal tenderness and strength, Of und
rs. standing and sympathy, Of sweetn
"a and truth, Of trust and protection,
',D >, perfect giving, and perfect loyal
'he and the intermingled siraHd-the
lis .st chords Of being sound, wi
touched, with uavsrying music.