Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-01-04


Where hi ..a.. ta. t..f winning
From the victim r,. sinks in lhe strife.
But my banner sha.l eafe mid ihc hrayo-t
As strive for the c1uoucr0rs wreath
That VIII lido with i,- gleam on my forehead
The scars that are burning beneath.
Each year we are ploughing new iurrows
In Times iathomless ocean for graves,
We live bat to strew 1t, forever,
With wrecks for the hungry waves.
But the Present and Past have their meaning,
And the Future we eagerly scan
Are all leaves Of a record etornal,-
Only parts of one Infinite plan.
For events but repca! themselves daily;
Months mark, as they come and depart,
The same slrgug Of human passions,
JOYS and sorrows OF human hearts.
From Tie year that is fitting before us,
We must turn the old TO review,
With sigh and a tear for the past one
And smile end cheer for the new.
On soyenty-eight's record ournatlon
No acts OF great moment can mark,
For Congress stroye yainly in solving
Our political problems so dark;
The Silver Bill lightens no burden
But Communism and Labor Reform
Muttcr threats Ike the low roll Of thunder
Foretelling The fierce coming storm.
And we moarned for the South sorely stricken
ythe blast of the pcstilence breath,
Like the fatal simeon of the desert
Sweeping thousands away to their death.
We are blcsi in our pure mountain breezes
That are lalened with yigor and health,
While our voung State straight onward Is pressing
To prosperity, honor and wealth,
Events have been changeful 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 cnshrouded IN gloom.
While King Victor and Good Pho Nino
Were passing away TO the tomb.
Wars thundcrs we're heard in the Balkans,
And the Turks suffered failure and loss,
England checked the triumphant invader
Mid the clash OF the Crescent and Cross.
Then the Congress at Berlin assembled,
When nations said bloodshed must cease,
And Bismarck and Bcaconsheld grappled,
Butat last they conclude it with Peace.
Storm and ~hipwrcck swept the Atlantic.
While safe and securely we rest
With those blue and magnificent mountains
Ever shieldiugour Valleys fair breast;
Her sturdy sons roaping fine harvests
From generous and bountiful soil,
Noble forests and rich ores sbounding
To render reward for their toll.
In our town we see many improvements
That thrift and prosperity show,
Wilh It's citizens zeal never falling
Ass.eadiIy onward they go
The now Railroad Will bring rapid transit,
We have given it our aid and good viii,
Nav we see its Projectors rewarded
For their enterprise, energy skill.
Then wei 60 to Luray's vondrous Cavern,
Where i'm ages remote and unknown
Some Enchantcr, his wand waved around hun,
And turned his dream into stone;
But Of ail It's marycls and beauties
Word painting can never tell,
And now We feel that It's fitting
To bid our kind readers farewell
Each year the GOLD FAMILY JOURNAL
Seems better than ever before.
And its friends all welcome it gladly
Every week, rs it comes to their door.
Wishing Happy New Year TO our patrons
In this season of bounty and JOY,
With a gift, let them enrously gladden.
The heart of their