South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-07-16
A D r E lam OF LIFE



be. The air was fragrant with summer
flowers, and the woods waved n bewitch-
ing invitation to their cool shades, while
the birds warbled forth their entreaty
for us to come and enjoy with them the
beauties of nature.
Tempted by so many entertainments, /
took book--not with any idea of read
ing, but for an excuse-and following q
narrow, shady path, soon reached a ma
tnral couch, thickly cushioned with rich,
green moss. Weary with my short walk
for was not strong-I threw myself
down upon the soft bed to rest. Heavy
boughs OF the pine and hemlock waved
above aud around me, subduing the
bright, warm rays of the sun, and maxi
ing soft, cool twilight.
My thoughts went back to the time
when L was little child, and came to
this place to weep my childish sorrows,
unseen and unquestioned. Then mo sun.
light was too bright for me. l remem-
bered how | loved the sun with my whole
heart, and used to wish it would never
set, how | rose early in the morning to
be out to welcome my kind friend.
When it rained believed the sun was
weeping. and on cloudy days, when my
mother said its "face was hid thought
it was from sorrow, and, with q child's
sympathy, would 90 about the house
very quietly, feeling n heavy weight ut
my heart.
recalled distinctly the sound of the
wind as it whirled around the corner of
the house in which my little room was
situated-the entreating whine it made
to be let in, until my tender heart was
touched. and l would creep out of my
warm bed, open the window little way
and close it hastily again, half fright
ened, half offended at the rude rush of
air which chilled my young blood.
would hurry back To bed, and hide my
head under the clothes, to shut out all
remembrance Of my offended dignity
Then the muiiled sound of the blast
would lull me to sleep, 4 to dream of the
beautiful angels who nightly visited me.
AS these things returned to my mem.
DRY, the low murmurings of the soft
breeze, which just stirred the heavy
boughs above, soothed me into a deep
slumbcr. In my dreams occasioned
scenes of my childhood seemed to min
gle with flights of fancy.
went back to the time when 1 was
careless child, the happy possessor of q
pretty little straw hat, Of which l was
very proud. But what gave it the great
est charm TO my youthful fancy, was
little silver flower attached to the lining
of the crown. / often took off my hat
to admire its beauty, and wonder where
such flowers grew.
One morning, rs / was walking around
my garden, admring the blossoms dress
ed in their pearls looked into my hat
to see which was the prettiest, my silver
flower, or my golden ones. While |
was yet undecided, turned it so that n
sunbeam struck the silver, which threw
back bright rays. L clapped my hat to
my bosom, as \ boy does who has caught
butterfly, and ran to show TO my moth
er my treasure, the beautiful sunbeam /
had caught. Imagine my dssappoiut.
ment upon looking into my hat to find
nothing there
My mother stopped down, and smil-
ing, kissed me tcnderly, and told me to
run out and catch another sunbeam
Cheered and comforted did So only to
be again disappointed, and this time so
sure had | been Of my prize, that when
| found nothing but my silver flower, |
burst into tears. My mother took me
in her lap. and folding me closely to her
bosom, said:
blush, my darling! Forget your lost
sunbeam. i have so much to say TO my
dear child that she will never think of il
again. You have long journey to 90,
and must begin to prepare for il. You
have to climb high, steep, rugged hill,
which few climb without much sorrow
and pain, and my little girl must take
her share Of troubles with the rest.
The beginning is the hardest part. but
we will start early on tho difficult road.
that / may be with you in your first
trials
AS she spoke, seemed TO be aroused
TO the full knowledge OF life. was no
longer the thoughtless child I had been
that very morning. Filled with the
thought that was born TO many trials.
which ! must meet and conquer, I seem.
cd 10 have grown old in an hour. NV
mother told me what q dnicult path Law
before me, but that if perscvcred and
reached the top Of the mountain. happi.
ness awaited me, angels would come to
ihtct me- anu sue ucISell would DC there
to receive and bless her child
At the foot of our garden arose high.
steep mountain. | had never been nj.
lowed to pass the garden boundaries.
but now my mother took me by the hand.
and we commenced tho difficult ascent.
When we had advanced n short distance.
we stopped TO rest and look back ut the
beautiful home we were leaving. NV
mother drew me close 10 her, and while
the tears stood in her eyes, said:
MY poor child, tho heavy cares Of
life come to you early. but better so.
while ! am with you. But we must not
put our hands to the plough and look
back we must keep our eyes fixed. not
upon our old home, but upon the bright.
ness ut our journeys end. and upon the
holy star which will guide and guard US