Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-12-28
CARRIERS ADDRESS.

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To the Christ Child's cradle atar.
And now from these ideal musings
We are called 10 the battle OF life,
Where his spoils the victor is winning
From the victim who INKS in the strife;
But nv banner shall wave mid the bravest
As strive for the conqueror's wreath,
That II hide with its CLEAN on my forehead
TIE seas THAI are burning beneath.
Each year we are ploughing new burrows
In Times fathomless ocean for graves,
We live but TO strew it, forever
With wrecks for the hungry waves.
But the Present and PAST their meaning,
And the Future we oaaerIy scan
Ale ali leaves Of a record eterIal,-
Only parts of one Infinite plan.
For events but repeat themselves daily;
Months ma k, rs they come and depart,
The same surgiag Of human passions,
JOYS and so rows ofhuman hears.
From the year that is filling before US,
We must turn the old to review
With sigh and a tear for the past one
And smile and cheer for the new.
On seventv-eghts record Ournation
No acts of great moment can mark,
For Congress strove yanly in solving
Our political problems so dark;
The Silver Bill lghtens no burden,
But Communism and Labor Reform
Meter threats like the low roll Of thunder
Forelelliag the fierce coming storm
And we mourned for the South sorely stricken
By .he blast Of The pestilence breath,
Like he fatal simeon of the desert
S,,-nnriptr tbnusa nds away 10 their dca II.
We are best in our pure mountain breezes
That are ladened with vigor and health,
While our Young State straight onward Is pressing
To prosperity, honor and wealth.
Events have been changefu in Europe;
With the Great Exposition in France,
And Spain DER fair Mercedes mourning,
The sad end OF their royal romance,
Death swept with his pail through The palace
And Rome was enshiQuded in gloom,
While King Victor and Good Pic Nino
Were passing away 10 the tomb
Wars thunders were heard in he Balkans,
And the Turks suffered failure and loss,
England checked the triumphant invader
Mid the clash Of the Crescent and Cross.
Then the Colgtes, at Berlin assembled
Whcu nations said boodshcd must cease,
And Bismarck and Bcaconslield grappled,
But at last they conclude 1t with Peace
Storm and shipwreck swept he Atlantic,
While safe and securelywe rest
With those Blue and magnificent mountains
Ever shield'ngour Valley, fair breast;
Her sturdy sons reIping fine haryests
From a generous and bountiiul soil,
Noble fore- and rich ore, Astounding
TO render reward for their toil.
In our town We see many improvements
That thrift and prosperity show,
With its citizens zeal never falling
Assteadily onward they go;
The new Railroad will bring rapid transit,
We have given it Our aid and good will,
May we see lis Projectors rewarded
For their enterprise, energy, skill.
Then we II 90 to Luray's wondrous Cavern,
Where in ages remote and unknown
Some Enchlntel, his wand waved around him,
And turned his dream into stone;
But of all its maryels aud beauties
Word painting can never tell
And now we feel that It's fitting
To bid our kind readers farewell.
Each wear the GOLD FAMILY JOURNAL
Seems better than ever before,
And It's friends all welcome it gladly
Every week, as it comes to their door.
Wishing Happy New Year to our patrons
In this season Of bounty and JOY,
1t Lor,, s,ar' ro,slv GLADDEN.