Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-02-19
SOLILOOUY.

mountains, with7its heaven -bathed i'm
pregnable eyries, and the Briarean arms
extending around us as if in protection,
where the sister ridges stretch in amity
toward each other, and the day-God
clothed in bis brilliant array has but
just disappeared beneath the horizon,
casting his lingering rays upon those
purple heights, which are coeval with
him and time. ,,ia- III
will seat myself upon this stone, em-
bedded in the brown carpet CT the
earth, all that is LETT of that pretty little
powder-house which stood upon this
hill. This is beautiful world. A
glorious world, God has made a
lovely earth for US. Listen to the
surging anthem of the river, dear to
me, who. has long lived within call OF
its voice, as was the songyof the wares
to the exile who languished in the vale
of Tempe, for "the sea-" 49,
Theruins here tare yefy interesting.
There are the massive walls of great
square buildings where the busy hum
of the vast machinery could be. heard.
almost fancy hear the merry whistle
of those intelligent mechanics as they
pursue their daily vocation. There are
those ponderous old arches that are
smothered with debris, that they barely
project above the ground, there are the
heavy walled sewers, through which the
chrystal waters still run. Trees and
bushes grow above many of these ruins
now. All the space lies so miserably
uncultvated, that one can hardly real
ize that busy, snbstantially-built Ar
mory once existed here. The place was
nevertheless the scene of an, event
whose effects have added page after
page to the worlds history.
Where are the friends that would
cheerfully go 10 the tap of the bell ?
They are gone, and with them seemed
to pass away all the light and joy that
had been around us. Who talks of for
getting Alas it is easy to talk, but
how different to erase from the memory
those forms which are branded Oh The
heart II is as ifheaven had an espe-
cial band of angels, whose office it was
to soiouIn for season here, and en-
dear them to, the hayward human
heart, thai they might bear it upward
with them in their homeward flight.
There are no people in. thetworld who
lived with more ease and prosperity
than-as on the contrary there are none
who suffer more under the grievances
of continuous depressions. .t =.
Hence, it is not necessary that L
should here dwell upon these facts, so
sadly demonstrated, but shall therefore
proceed to the exposition of otherfaets.
On several occasions the credit of our
town has been attacked without the
slightest justice or reason, Some time
back piece appeared In one OF the
Richmond papers, written by one who
had lived amongst us, and had been
treated with all due kindness, and con
sideration. Oh ''Improvisatrice," have
YOU no kind word for this, our "ruined
city ..s. ...i.- .,r -..r r,.
We should be reereant to the cause
of truth, if anyltchderness to an accom-
plished writer. or speaker, should infu-
ence us to bear .lituperations without
attempting TO defend ourselves. ~ = p.
Again a short time ago, a minister in
his exhortation urged his members to
'Buckle on your armoL We have him
on the retreat--drive the Devil back TO
Harpers Ferry where he belongs, to
his stronghold, to his home. e..
Now what could the gentleman
mean 4? Here is no evasion, nor express
sion Of strong suspicion that such a
subtle spirit. exists; his assertion is
bold, free, positive aud unequivocal that
his Satanic Majesty reigns in our midst.
But, l have no controversy with him as
to his aim, but with the procedure in
his efforts to accomplish it. How far
far beyond the limits of languages to
express, or OF the human mind to con-
ceive, has been the oppression, and the
individual anguish, natioual and social
suffering which has attended US since
the year 1861. ia.> s-....
Who amongst us has felt an emo
ton rising in their souls for this our
birthplace and our home And as
Shakespearei makes Leaites to say,
..To his good friends thus wide I'll ope
7 Z nv arms, Z &c 81 4 -
And Nike Tire Kind fife rendering pelican,
Repast them with my blood"
Let US cherish no resentment and not
forget Them in our'daily prisons, for We
shall pass away from this place, each to
their treasured home, and there shall
greet and be greeted by the many little
things which make our life joy. 90
Remember that in the great chart it
is written $40 l am with you always,
even to the end of tie world" 2. =" -.
The shadows of this solemn evening
close around me deeper and deeper. '.
1t is night e." Iii 's@-H.a .~ Is.
..-, 81 al - - 5C-.s n- ...t
Mr.. Zittle-It was our pleasure to at
tend last evening an entertainment, giy-
en- by the. M. E. S. s., Knoxville, Md,
Unlike most entertainments of The kind,
it was . success. The free and easy
speaking of the little ones, and the care
fully prepared dialogues of those Of old
er. gfowth, showed hotlonly careiin their
selections, but that every, effort had
been madcd6 please. !! Az
Mr.. Preston Miller won the admira-
ton of the pqdiTnce lby in. admirable
manner in which he read the ''Bells,
and in Imagination we could hea5o
Ii, IL; 81