Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-01-08
Christmas s. .NeiU BSa'' Greet
iis.

Dreaming alone mid the shadows,
In the darkling gray twilight,
| sit like the Scottish sybil,
Dreeying my weird tonight
A spirit comes, and il bringeth
The second sight with Its spell,
While strangely around it clingeth
Ny song the vision shall tell
"
A wanderer worn and weary,
Trod the shore of 4 troubled sea,
Where a boat with bright hopes laden
Went drifting away from me.
over the treachcrous waters
Sailed ships towards many lands,
And back i'm the hotsam and jctsam,
Wrecks drift on the storn-5eat sands.
There were ships that loved the harbor,
Which the winds OF fate out-borc;
While those that longed TO wander,
Were anchored against the shore;
SO Of all the sybil's proverbs,
Thcr. seemed none so true as this,
That 'the winds Of fate blow ever,
But they ever blow amiss."
O'cr the waves with pennons flying,
Some sailed in sunshine ana song,
While softly and swiftly the surges
Bore tAcm safely and surely along.
The storm passed over them harmless,
Their treasures we're brought safe to shore,
Bat the ship, like the hero OF battles,
The scars OF the conflict bore.
Dark clouds over others were lowering,
A. they strovc with tie angry nam,
And. those barks never reached harbor,
More er came home ain
For grim rocks and ghastly breakers
Wore there on the forward track,
While we heard in the howl Of the tempest
Their doom-thcy would never come back.
(Gl
Still onward, though checked and baiiied,
The vaudefcr wearly strives,
eing traced in those ships on that ocean
The tips Of our knmaa dres
With Faith, Hope and Love deep laden,
They are launched on that troubled sea,
Yet tie precious freight that the? carry,
But r&r,y returned shall be.
For mark low tAat waste Of waters
Is strcwn over with spar and mast
The wrecRs that the currents are bearing
From the Present to The Past,
And how deep and swift and stormy
Rolls on that rcsistioss flood,
As. the dark waves Of Time sweep over
The spot where the wandcrer stood.
(9
But courage, faint heart, press forward,
For vour labor shall not be in vain,
Though every reward life give'h
Is earned with patience and pain!
Be.steadhst and true to yoUr purpose
Yie,d 10 the Good Angels hand
That will Guide Won safe through the breakers
And over the deep quick-sand.
And now for the seasons greeting,
That from every lip we hear,
To all OF our friends, Merry Christmas!
And wish them a Happy New Year
Though the years cannot all be happy,
Nav this ono much pleasure bring
As in the frozen heart of the winter,
There liycth the germ Of Spring!
For each year holds its differing seasons,
Lake the chdngtN ot huHidh lil'
Some days that are radiant with sunshine,
Some dark and stormy with strife.
Though the flowers and leaves have ia led,
Time again shall their beauties br n
While amidst the frosts and the snow iits,
To the mem 'rics of Summer we cling.
Oh
In the great Presidential contest
Was Democracy vaRquished-of course
By the regular Radical weapons
OF bribery fraud and force;
But well did we choose our banner to bear
a leader 20 brave and renowned
Truth shone on his crest as the plume OF Navarro
No spot on his fair fame was found
l12l
For the laurels and love that Hancock has won
No falschsod nor foes can depress;
The hearts of the people-the popular vote
Still are his in defeat of success.
Good wishes now with q blessing we give,
To our popular JOURNAL once more;
VIII its generous patrons not find gift
For the CARRIER Boy irsn their store2