Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-01-31
THE REGIST r.
TERMS PER YEAR-sa,a so IN ADVANCE
ShepherastOwn, W est Va:
sATURDAy....."......JAN. 81, 1874.
LIFE - SHORT.

Reader, has it ever occurred to You
how short is the period allotted to man
on earth How swiftly he passes from
one stage of life to another, until the
decrepitude of old age steals upon his
weakened frame and exhausted nature
sinks beneath the power Of death !
To-day you behold the prattling IN
FAINT, beautiful in its infantile innocence,
unacquainted with the trials and troub-
les of life happy in its ignorance ana
innocence. We contemplate the sight
with pleasure; but behold new scene
presents itself to view. There Is a
young man just entering upon the arena
of life. The sports which are attendant
upon the days of childhood have passed
away; and although he has many scores
Of pleasure, yet dulies press upon him.
ard he frequently has to contend with
disappointments and difficulties, and he
often wishes, as his mind wanders back,
that he could be child again. Now,
we see man passed the meridian OF ll'e;
his brow is covered with wrinkles; his
face looks earewDrn and anxiousi he has
met with trials and troubles repeatedly;
he has bid a last farewell to much loved
friends; he has been betrayed by those
in whom he colfided; he has been but
fcted by the storms of misfortune; many
crosses and losses have marked his
pathway. Again, the scene changes
and NE see an old man, his hair as white
as snow, his strength and yigor gone.
The rosy hue of health has left his
cheek, and every feature, every move
ment shows that he is fast nearing his
eternal resting place
Aqain the curtain rises, and we see
the hearse bearing its inanlmate Durdeil
10 the graye-the last home OF all 'ha'
s. left of him whom We saw but a few
wears ago-rejoicing in the amusemeh's
Of vouth. He has acted his part in the
drama of life and passed off the stage
TO make room for others All this has
passed in a few years, like the light
n;no's flash, that shines in the heavens
for moment, and is gone. Such is
the life Of man
Life is short and uncertain. Today,
we see man rich in all the vigor OF
health and strength. Tomorrow, death
SEXES his prey, and he is borne to his
last resting place. How Important
then. dcar reader, that we should I'M
prove each passing honr. If we would
pause occasionally and consider that we
have immortal souls; if we would look
beyond this earth and see what beau
,iful home is awaiting our coming; II
we would permit our hearts to be true
to themselves; to feel that there are
sweet eompanionships to be found there
-,eyhaps some loved one-a happy
change would be wrought III our ma
tures How much better lifted we
would then be to enjoy the blessings OF
life But we seldom think Of these
,bincs until some loved one is borne
away from our side to The land OF shad-
ows; until we feel that one link in the
chain of association has been broken.
But better this harsh stroke, It 1t Ie-
minds us of our duty, than wait until
the mind is weakened by disease, and
death is ready to seize his victim.
Mans death and burial creates no sad
thoughts beyond the circle OF home
where he was most intimately known
The din and hustle of the world goes
ON as ever. The hearse and funeral
train passed by. Perhaps few OF ouI
fellows may stop awhile to inquire who
is dead; then pass on again, forgetting
that heart has ceased 10 beat forever
Even the mourners tears that flowed Sc
freely are soon dried up, and the Grape,
the dark badge OF death, are cast aside,
and the lifeless clod of the valley is soon
FORGOTTEN. Snch is life Ifw we die TO
dov the sun will shine is brightly and
the birds sing as sWeetly tomorrow
Not wheel i'll the machinery OF tho
business world will cease to move, and
scarce voice of mirih bc checked
Such is life How short it is !! How
soon We are forgotten
The world moves on, creature oies'
And in the grave entombed he lies
Hi, so,l to heaveu-like a star rs shot,
The fash is gone, aud man fo:sot
Eay@ LOST, LOST! LOST Lost on
Sunday Evening last, on the road lead
ing from MartinsbnrG TO Shepherds