The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-02-11
The Old Folks at Home.

DR.. Aikeman, in his Life at Home,
urges children not to forget the old folks
at home. He SAYS There is always a
liability when sons and daughters have
gone away from the home of their child
hood, and have formed homes of their
own, gradually to lose the old attach
ments and cease to pay those attentions
to their parents which were so easy and
natural in the oldden time. New associ-
ations new thoughts, new cares, all come
in, filling the mind and heart, and, if
special pains be not taken, they crowd
out the old loves. This ought never to
be- You should remember that the
change is with you, and not with those
you left behind. You have everything
new, much that is attractive in the pres
ent and bright in the future; their heart
clings to the past they have most in
memory. When you went away, you
knew not and will never know until you
knew not, and will never know until you
experience it, what it cost them to give
you up, nor what vacancy you left be-
hind They have not, if you have, any
new loves to take place of the old. Do
not, then, heartlessly deprive them of
what you still can give of attention and
love.
Tj8it yoor parents If you live in the
daily, familiar one in the old home; if
you are miles, yea, many miles away,
make it your business to go to them.
In this matter, do not regard time nor
expense; the one is well spent and the
other will be fully, yea, hundred fold
repaid. When some day the word reaches
you, fiasked over the telegraph, that
father or mother has gone, you will not
think them much, those hours of travel
which last bore you to their side.
Write to your parents. | have known
father-and mother wait with sick hearts
through weary months, longing that some
word might reach them from the absent
son. They have watched the mails, till
in despair they have ceased to expect any
more, and while they may not have the
grief of q great bereavement, they have
what is almost as bad, the bitter conscious
ness that they are not in mind enough
even to call out few poor lines from those
whose early years they watched with
sleepless love. Sons are often guilty of
this crime-l cannot call it less-from
sheer neglect or Incidence. While an
hour, perhaps few moments, would suf-
fee to write a letter which would give
unspeakable satisfaction, they let months
and even years slip away in utter indif-
ference to all the pain they are causing.
OLiy now IuII IS many 1OlueFS uelfG OF
sorrow and foreboding when just few
words from an absent son would fill it
with JOY and praise Such indifference
or neglect is shameful and wicked One
need not wonder that sons guilty of it
are not prospered, that they wait in vain
for those turns of fortune which will send
them home, as they dream, to surprise
the old neighborhood with their wealth
Their thoughtlessness has been produc-
tive only of disaster.
Keep up your intercourse with father
and mother do not dsay mo news is
good news" If it be but a few lines,
write them; write, if it be only to say II
am well;' if it be only to send the salu-
tation that says they are dear" or the
farewell that tells them that you are
''affectionate" still. The little messen-
gers shall be like caskets of jewels, and
the tears that fall fondly over them will
be treasures for you. Say with warm
hearted son:
"The hills may tower, the waves may rise
And roll between my home and me:
Yet shall my quenchleSs memories
Turn with undying love to thee!"