Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-04-01
For the SPECrATo.
End Of the Seventy Eighth Book.

As we thoughtlessly turn the pages
Numbering three hundred and sixty five
of an old volume Astounding in a varie-
tv of events, unconsciously we pause as
our eyes fall on the bold type at the bot
tom of the last page; and our no lneon-
siderable share of curiosity manifests
itself in desire to know something of
the contents of the old book. CHANGING
hurriedly at the first chapter in order to
ascertain whether it contains anything
worthy Of perusal, such medley Of
events presents itself, that ere we are
aware of the fight of time we find our
selves at the end of chapter No. 1.
The first event of any considerable in
terest is q graphic story of lad and las
sic, whose meeting, perchance, was
brought about bv some unknown agent
whether fate or chance, our author
does not inform us, suffice it to say they
have met and the old story that has been
rehearsed ever since the days of father
Adam is breathed honeyed accents in
the ear Of the susceptible maiden. But
happy mother Eve! happy in the re-
Election that you reign unrivaled in the
affection of your husband, your daugh-
tiers are less favored. A rival whose
charms eclipse those of the preceding
goddess steps into the arena. The story
is repeated with the same apparent fer
vor, while the deserted one seeks
with joyful looks
To hide deaths ranking smart,
And artful smiles play DER the grave
Ola poor broken heart"
Time, the old author, seemingly I'M
willing to dwell on the faithlessness Of
his erring fellow mortal his unhappy
union with tickle dame, and the grief
of the trusting maiden, hastens to record
the fulfllment of lovers vows and
their subsequent checkered history.
Then with longdrawn sigh-ah-
IA few days may, a few years must
Report us in the silent DUST
he tells US about the grim foe entering
the heme circle, leaving vacant chair
sorrowing hearts and naught, perhaps
to remind US in after years of his inva
sion, save the little mound in the ceme-
terry.
Under the head of railway disasters
ship wreck and other fortuiteus events,
the destroying angel has rendered silen
many joyous fireside and saddened the
lives of the survivors. Where should
reign happiness and peace he tells us
that family broils disturb the equanimi
ty of domestic life, and mans foes are
they of his own household.
Its pages are stained with crimes that
for design and daring, are unprecedent
in the history of the world.
In the annals of political life dema-
goguss have usurped the places of
honest men. Fraud, bribery and rob-
berries have been perpetrated, while wal
famine and pestilence with their long
train of evils have followed.
The ''haughty lordling' by some re-
of ortr, hoo To W.
the palatial residence with its luxuries
and adapt himself to the circumstance
Of the humble cottage; while the pea
SAINT in his rude hut, with his peculiar
dialect and uncouth appearance posses
ses serenity and content. the essence
and elements of that which corpulen
nobility with their burden of cares an(
veXatiOn vainly aspire to reach. AL
pursue the phantom happiness, which
recedes as rapidly as it is approached.
"We wander here, we wander there;
We eye the rose upon the brier,
Unmindful that the thorn is near,
Among the Ieaves.'
But old father Time whose task is We
incomplete, bids US, as we near the enc
of the volume.
BE up and doing.
With heart for any fate"
Having reached the end. we close thu
volume, with the humiliating recollec
ton that so much of our time hiss beer
lost or misapplied; profaned by impiety
or sacrificed to the vain pursuits of life
But useless regrets will not cancel ou
obligations for future usefulness. There
are in obscurity, perjury and sickn ss
those that need our sympathies and as
sistanee. Shall pride, niggardly econo
my or seldshness prevent us from visit
ing the abode of the wrerched witt
''the charities that soothe and heal ant
bless !"
Sympathy and forbearance should char
acterize our every day life. The mfr
mites that "human flesh is heir to-
call for constant exercise of mutual
forbearance. In short, if success in life
is to be attained, we must learn to talks
poor, erring human nature as it is, moi
as it should be.
''Man's inhumanity to man,
Makes countless thousands mourn
s. e. B.
CEDAR POINT, VA, January 2S5h 1879