, 1877-03-02
NThe time came.


In my home were many cares. and
in my business were more cares.
Ny children were growing up, and
] felt they must be provided for.
let them be grown up to help me;
and let me see them settled, and the Joy
wouldlbe more.
Tbs years passed on.
The Joy I sought was in the future,
and worked for Il, and longed for it. !"
Goal after goal did 1 set up in the
distance, and 1 reached one only to find
another still in advance.
with fevensh labor 1 pushed on,
assuring myself that 1 was erecting a
fabric which would support my great
Joy at last, and in the end l should find
comfort and be satisfied.
My children grew up, and with their
growing came new and unlocked for
cares.
"And at length the dark messenger
OF death came, and one of my fairest
and most promising flowers was cut
down.
In time another fell, and darkness
came with this double stroke.
Then I plunged more resolutely in
to my business, determined to mako it
brighter for what remained.
From year to year looked forward
to the joy that was to come when 1
should have earned it.
took no rest; realized no solid
comforts; I acknowledged no present
abiding joys; but 1 was struggling for a
grand contamination in the future.
did not mark the fight Of time,
and when looked back it was only to
dwell upon the dark spots.
81 thought of the losses, but gave no
thought of the gains.
AT length l was an old man, and
worldly wealth in abundance was mine,
Surely, now, if ever, should cease
my labors and be at rest.
g thought thus, almost willing to
believe that the goal was reached, when
the fabric Of all my hopes was crushed
in day.
"In this last hour the partner of all
my labors and my trials-the wife whom
had loved, and upon whom had
come to lean for comfort and consola-
tion-was stricken from me.
And so fell the castle of my life's
Joy in the hour Of its completion. The
temple was demolished before its conse-
Grafton.
Luke, you now behold me an old
man, standing surely upon the verge of
the grave; and can tell you that the
joys for which 1 labored were never
mine to enjoy.
"And yet, as 1 now look back. 1 can
see, all along the pathway of my life,
neglected possibilities Of Joy which I,
failed to grasp.
THE happiest honrs Of my life I did
not know.
"Oh, when 1 think Of it now, what
would 1 give to be set back into the
warm, bright sunshine of those early
days-to have again the opportunity Of
grasping at Joys which were given me
on every hand?
But it may not be.
1.-THE past cannot be recalled.
"I In my vain race for q great good to
come, / allowed the thousand-and-one
little joys Of everyday life to bloom and
fade untasted and unseen.
Through long and weary life I
have labored to amass wealth, and when
the wealth is mine, / find, alasl that the
capacity to enjoy it has failed me.
"While my powers and capacity of
enjoyment were strong and active, 1
satisfied them not.
"My opportunities for comfort I
wasted, and my time for rest I threw
away in pursuit of bubble which was
to burst as I touched it.
"Oh, my boy, could 1 live my life
over again. with my present knowledge
to guide me, would surely make the
most of the indwelling joys.
"And not only for self would pluck
the flowers Of joy as they spraEg up
along my pathway. but for those dear
ones whose joy must be ever my Joy,
and whose sorrows must ever share.
Luke, cannot go back. I must be
content as builded; but my life may
afford Q profitable lesson for you.
"Think Of it my boy, and look to it
that the fruit Of your labor be not suf-
fered to mould and decay on your hands
untasted."
The old man closed, and shortly
retired, leaving Luke buried in thought.
"what is that, LukeP"
"a whip, my dear"
"a Whip?"
Yes. 1 have bought il to go with
pair Of horses and an easy carriage"
''Luker'
"Hush, darling. II you and the
children will 60 with me, am going
back with grandfather. The good old
man has led me 10 believe that I may
find . grain Of comfort there. At all