Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-01-22
OFFICE IN "JEFFERsoN BUrLDrNe."
Saturday, January %, 1875.
FJr The Free Press.
Days Of ny childh:od.
BrDA1sY DEAN.

Br DAISY DEAS.
Looking far adown the obscure, couded
vista of Time, see the days Of my Childhood
sprcad out before me like brilliant landscape
softeued TO exquisite beauty by the na2y at
rnosphele of Indian Summer. Oh, happy
childhood when the days seemed one Ions
holiday IN which to chase the beautiful butter
fiy with It's wings Of many hues, and play un-
interruptedly those innocent games IN which
childhood delights. All, where are those sun
nv 9ays now Where have ,hry flown! 10
endless Eternity, never more to return.
The dark waves of Affection have swept
over my soul nearly enguifng it in their How,
aud awakcd me from that long, fair dream OF
free, careless childhood to the stern, pitiless
realities Of material life and before taking
my place in the rauks Of its many workers.
some sad aud de>paring, others jyfu and
brimming with hope would fain permit my
weary eye to roam back DER the tablets OF
memory and read what is inscribed thereon,
aud perchance | may assume my cross with
lighter heart aud pursue my thorny pathway
with a more wilIing-n&y, eager step that
may arrive ut that "p,ace not made with
bands"
What first grcets my eye? A beautiful
home, adorned with luxures TO satisfy the
taste Of the most indulgent, ease-loviDg of men.
Going up the broad avenue leading from the
little white gate to the fight of granite steps,
| ascend. aud entering wander through the
long suite of parlors and sitting rooms till at
last my trembling hand rests upon the ivory
he
chatter Of knives and forks, and murmur of
voices, quietly turn the knob and peer IN at
the bright gathering.
At the foot Of the table sits q noble locking
man. There are some few silver threads a.
mong the raven locks that shade his broad,
white forehead rs vet untouched by burrows OF
Time His eagle eye is lighted with proud
foudness as it rests upon the happy family
ranged on each side, aud sotens to ineXpreSSi
bic tenderness as il encounters that OF his be-
loved wife who bss never failed TO comfort him
in sickness or trouble, aud rejoiced in his hap
pinass.
While | look and listen, my heart lifted a.
bove the petty cares and turmoil Of the out
side world door opens and nurse enters with
"baby kicking aud growing as che stretched
forth her little chubby hants with Mama,
tate Tutie - And watch the proud smile OF
that fond mother as she reaches out her arms
into which her darling sprjugs with a cry Of
delight. Happy gathering! No more shall
+; be till they all meet in that bright, heavenly
land whittier already have led four OF the hap
nv group. Which four? you ask. Ah Fa-
tber. help me to bear the cross which Thou 10
Thy Infinite wisdom aud mercy hast seen fit
o. Law upon my shrinking FORM First passed
away MY sister Sarah remember, as in a
dream. her drathbcd. The darkened room in
one corner Of which stood low bed occupied
by my diving sister, On the foot sat my moth
er bowed down with grief; and around the
bed stood her numerous friends, silent 10 the
presence of the dread Destroyer; while, crush
ed to the earth with bis burden Of woe the
husband sat by her head holding the band so
soon to be cold and stiff. She lay there toss
ing from side to side and moaning family and
more family still rs the tide of life slowly
ebbed taking with it the joy Of the berea7ed
husband and parerts. Tho second time the
gauut visitaut invaded our home, the head
was taken, and the heart-bToken wall Of The
widow found its echo in that Of the orphan as
it ascended to the throne Of HIM who 'loveth
whom he chastcneth." y short two years and
another went - Join tue Heavenly host.-
Brother Frank, God released from his suffering
and took to himself
The scene changes and insteai Of the roll
ing blue grass of Kentucky with its sky OF
cerulcan blue DER head, appears the deep, Sc
rene valleys of Virginia with their grand over
hanging crags Of the evcrchaugiug Blue Ridge
There the days seem 10 fly on golden pinioUS,
all sorrows forgot by th1ughtess childhood
except when looking into the sad, sad eyes Of
one who ever remembered her rreparab!e loss
Again does the scene change, and " My
MARYLAND" Is our home. The days then seem /
tl grow longer and more trobous, and the far
famed Santa Claus Of yore Is no more to be
trusted for according TO tradition he often
frrgets lis poor friends Ye,, Poverty has in
stalled herself in our once happy home, and
our mother is fading, fading day by day as the
beautiful lily when deprived Of its support
hourishes for very little while then dr'oPs
and fades away, no more to lift It's regal head
10 the kiss of the day God The wheel o.
Tine revolves slowly but surely and as slow
IL and surely Is that mother drifting, drifting
beyond the pale of al. things OF earth. At
last the crowuius stroke cimes-the more sud-
denly because almost imperceptiby-aud my
mother, my blessed mother clothed in spotless
white sings this day heavenly chorus with
the redeemed 'runnd our Fathers throne on
high Father; Mother; Sister and Brother
all there 10 await my entrance through the
Pearly Gates How long, oh how long will
il be !
Harkl I must close this book Of memory
and set seal thereon The battle Of Life Is
to be fought; a heavenly crown 10 be gained
SO back into the darkest closet Of the wall,
days Of my childhood, and come not forth a.
gain 10 mock me with tautalizing visions Of
lost-foreyer los: happiness.
It has been decided by medical authorities
tha. "if a man has good appetite, sleeps
well and feels bouyan. in spirits after bis
meals. he should let bis health alone, whether
be is as big as hogshead or as thin and dry
,s f.rca rail