The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-04-29

4eheerful smile, and encouraging
words. And the silence of the miss
ing footstep! In vain we listen for the
music ofits coming, till our very loneli-
ness seems almost insupportable.
From our earliest infancy we learn to
look into our eye for a response to our
every joy and feeling, and so, on
through the years of childhood in man
hood ,even in old age-if God in me cy
spare her-heart seems ever the first to
which we turn for sympathy.
No other ''fount of love" is thus
ceaseless, changeless, deathless."
We have spoken of the peculiar af-
fection which existed between this
mother and son. She was tender and
devoted to each one of her children,
but Horace seemed, perhaps, more de-
pendent upon her than the rest. He
was standing now on the threshold of
life, and she felt all a parents anxiety
that he should begin the work of life
Alright. He had not yet decided where
to commence the practice of his profes-
sion. His ambitious hopes pointed him
to one cf the large western cities;
but as yet he had scarcely mentioned
the thought at home, for he knew that
his parents would give but reluctant
consent to his leaving them, and the
voice of love plead strongly against
his breaking the ties that bound him
to Virginia
Now, however, the chief attraction
of the home of his childhood was gone
forever, and, in despair, he resolved to
dwell henceforth amongst strangers.
His father deeply regretted his decision,
but thought it best that he should fol-
low his own inclinations. 1t was the
last evening before his departure when
Horace sought that beautiful "Home
of the dead" Hollywood Cemetery.
The sun was throwing his last golden
rays over the newly turfted grave of
his mother, as he kneeled to bid it a
long and sad adieu. He needed not
the songs of birds, the fragrance of
flowers, OF the enchanting scenery
which lay before him; he saw only the
dark earth which hid from his view
the being he had loved best, and bow
ing his head on the fresh sod, he wept
long and bitterly.
Calmness came at length to his
spirit, and as he sat there in there in
the deepening shades of twilight, mem
ory recalled to his mind many of the
words that he had listened to in by
gone days from thai silent tongue.
Especially well did he remember the
conversation in the library, that June
morning long ago, when sheso faithfully
and lovingly warned him of the dam
ger of forgetting his God. He re-
membered, too, the vow that he had
made then. Had it been kept? Con-
science answered no." and his pres
ent sorrow seemed but a just chastise-
ment for the pass unfaithfulness, and
neglect of her counsel. Again, as his
tears fell thicker and faster, he vowed
that, God forgiving him for the past,
he would lead a new life. In sincerity
and earnestness he made the resolve.
Does he yet know his own heart?
Is he looking to the Almighty for
strength for the future, since the past
has proved his own weakness? Does
he feel the truth of the Saviour's words,
without Me, ye can do nothing?''
Time must prove.
1t was already night when he joined
the family. There was deeper sad
ness than usual when they were again
assembled, for tomorrow the best
loved was to leave them, perhaps for
years, and it seemed almost like a sec
ond bereavement to their sorrowful
hearts. But the evening passed on,
and when, after the short night was
gone, the sun arose in his brightness
and Joy, it seemed almost a mockery
of their feelings.
Again he was gone, followed by fer
vent prayers and a fathers blessing.
Can We say that WAS unattened by 8
kind, ministering spirit? Who could
watch so faithfully as n.Otherf What
angels wings so tireless in his wander
ings? What angels voice so soft tC
whisper of unseen dangers; to breathe
thoughts of all pure and holy things
! (TO BE CONTINUED