Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-01-01

10 the IdtT DIS Oh
The VIRGINIA FREE PRESS"
Chr old family 9unrnal,
Christmas s. .NeiC Year Greet.
ing.
Dreaming alone mid the shadows,
In the darklng gray twilight,
| sit like the Scottish sybil
Dreeying my weird " Tonight.
4 spirit comes, and it brlngeth
The second sight with It's spell,
While strangely around it ciingeth
Ny song the vision shall tell.
~
4 wandcrcr worn and weary,
Trod the shore of troubled sea,
Where boat with bright hopes laden
Went drifting away from me-
Over the trcacherous waters
Sailed ships towards many lanes,
/ Ald back in the fotsam and jetsam,
Wrecks DRIFT on the stOrm-beat sanl'.
81
There were ships that loved the harbor,
Which the winds of fate out-borc
/ While those that longed to wander,
We're anchored against tde shore;
/ - of all the sybiis PROVERBS,
Tier seemed none so true as this,
| That "the winds of fate blow ever,
But they ever blow amiss.'
/ Ger the waves with pennons flying,
Some sailed in sunshine and song,
/ While softly and swiftly the ,urgcS
/ Bore them safely and surely along.
/ The storm passed over them harmless
/ Their treasures were brought safe to SLorc,
/ b 1t tnc ship like the hero OF battles,
The sears of Tie conflict bore.
90
/ Dark clouds over Others were lowering,
As they strove with the angry main,
And those banks never reached lIarbor,
Nj r came INT a aim.
Fer grlia rocks and gha>tly breakers
Wore there on the forward track,
Willie we lie ,rd in the howl of the tempest
Their Goom-they would never como back.
Still onward though checked and bafllcd,
The wanderer YEARLY strives,
: eng traced in those ships on that ocean
/ The iqDes Of ar hamah Gccs.
/ With Faith. Hope and Love deep laden
Thev are launched on that troubled sea,
i Yct the precious freight that ihcy carry,
But r~rty returned shall be.
Far mark now that waste of waters
I i s,rcwn over with spar and mast
( The wrecks that the currents are bearing
From the Present to III Past.
And how deep and swift and stormy
Rolls on tha, rcsistlcs, flood,
/ ~ the dark wave, of Time sweep over
The ,uo, where the wandcr,r stood
Eut cour1-e 4in, heart, press forward,
For your labor STALL not bein vain,
i earned with patience and PAIN.
BE steadtlst and true to your purpose
Wed To the Good Angels hand.
That will guide YOU safe through the breakers,
And over the deep quick-sand.
(9l
And now for the seasons a greeting,
That from every lip we hear
To all of our friends, Merry Christmas!
And wish them Happy New Year
Though the years cannot all be happy.
Nav this one much pleasure bring
4, i'm the frozen heart of the winter,
There livcth the germ of Spring
For each year holds is differing seasons,
Like the changes of human lift
Some DAYS that are radiant with 81 Ms line,
Some dark and stormy with strife.
Though the flowers and leaves have IA led,
Tine again shall their beauties br n
While amidst the irosts aud the snow d fits,
To tie mem'ries of Summer we cling.
I'D
In the great Presidential contest
Wa, Democracy vaxquished-of course
BY thc regular Radical weapons
OF b.i lcry, fraud and rec;
7 But We'll ana we choose our banner 10 pear
\ leader 81 brave and renowned
Truth >hone on his crest as the plume of Navarro
NJ spo, on his fair fame WAS found!
12l
For the laures and love that Hancock has won
No iaischood nor foes can dePress
The hearts Of the people-the popular vote
Still are his in defeat of susceSS.
Good wishes now with blessing we give
To our popular JOURNAL once more;
Will It's generous patrons not find gift
For the CARRIER Boy irem their store?
T.. W. TRUSSELL
WANTS
CORN!