Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-06-02
For the Register.
.Ir WE KNEW
MEMO.

Sad words these are TO some OF ua
Sadder, if possible, than those sadfest
of words, 81; might have been five
knew, if we only knew that some idlo
word of oun, spoken in jes. and soon
forgotten, had entered the heart Of
soms loved one and was ranking there,
embitteriug the life of that Que, o with
what earnest contrition would We bow
ourselves down before him aud implors
his forgiveness. But we do not know,
we never can know how many such
words We speak; words that tear open
afresh wounds in the hearts Of others
that time had almost healed. Wounds
made long ago which bleed anew al tho
lightly spoken jest which brings up 30
yividly scenes OF the dead and buried
past. Oit we knew CT the bitter tears
of agony, the terrible heartaches that
such words cause, how we would weep
TO think that We bad caused all this
pain.
Then il we knew the causes Of some
things, we would at least pity, If not
praise, wuere we now condemn. How
ready We are to raise our hands in holy
horror at the shortcomings of others,
when if we knew OF the many tempta-
tions brought 10 bear upon. them No
would wonder how they stood il 80
long. If we knew the thoughts OF
hearts estranged, hearts which once beat
close to ours aud which some idle word
has turued away. If We knew that
those hearts were yearning TO COME
back again, how eagerly We would has
ten To offer them that love denied them
now.
Then saddest of all. II We knew,
(which among the lips that kiss as,
+ First should meath the daisies lie,'
o would we not gather them closer to
our bosoms, smiling on them through
our tears, look long and lovingly upon
those dear forms 30 soon To be hid by
the dark portals Of the tomb 7 Would
we not gaze upon them with lingering
tenderness aud would not our hearts
grow fonder as We tearfully watch them
nearing the dark river! But We do not
know, and 30 We 20 OH ever woaniing
in our thoughtlessOess the sensitive
hearts of those we love- some Of whom
are SO soon to be taken from Us by tho
cruel hand Of remorseless' Death, aud
when too late, we may call TO mind
some harsh word spoken or some wrong
doue, but all We can do is 10 mur1nur
with broken hearts "If we had known"
Mothers! If YOU know that that child
which in your passion you are punish.
ing, was so soon TO sleep where the vio-
let's bloom, that ere another month
should pass il would be numbered
among the silent host, say, would you
not stop aud think before you struck il
again Would you not take il in your
arms and strive to lead it aloug pleasant
paths during the remainder Of its short
stay berei J 81 i 20 i'a
Gossips: if you knew that the one
whom in your ignorance you are con.
demning was to be blasted by your cru.
el words, was TO be crushed by your
idle scandal, say, would you not stop
before you repeated the silly tale yon
have heard 7 III We. knew" Do you
knowi Alas no! There is veil which
hides the future from our sight. Then
"Let Us speak kind Of brother or speak
not of him at all.
Let us take heed lest wo 10 our
thoughtlessness wound some heart which
may soon be stilled forever In Death.
Then will be left US only :hst lonely
cry, "If we had known" and our hearts
will forever echo that sad bitter vail.
IF we knew"