Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1883-11-17
THE HILL OF LIFE.

6A44A 4A4A141 VI LII
Armne became acquainted with bis
own existence in the valley of Child
hood. His couch was composed of
roses and canopied over by the boughS
of the orange and the myrtle. Bub.
bling springs were seen among the
flowers. and the melody of the bird,
was heard among the branches. The
Hill Of Life appeared before him and
he set his face toward the summit OF
the mountain. The ascent is known
by the name of Youth; it was easy
and delightful, A female form Of the
most angelic appearance was his con-
slant companion: her name was Hope.
She strewed his path with flowers, and
her presence shed abroad the sunshine
Of cheerfulness and joy. She led him
forward by the hand, and distant OBJ
jects, when pointed out by her finger.
assumed supernatural and celestial
brillIancy. When he lay down to re.
pose, peoples were strewed on his pill
low aud when he awoke, his heavenly
companion entrapced his eyes with her
magic mirror of ravishing delights.
Sometimes he turned aside into the gar.
.dens Of pleasure, and lbathed in~the'
riverslof sensual delight; but when be-
heard at a distance the loud, but. mel
low voice of the trumpet of Fame,
which sounded on the top of the noun
tain, he broke loose from the allure
ments of p easure, determined, to &C
quire more substantial bliss By heroic
exertion.
When he had gained the last stages
of the ascent, he was met by restless
y being of dark and torbiddingl counte-
nance; her name was Care. She
pressed him into. her company and al.
tempted to,engross his attention, But
her familiar approaches were forbidden
by Hope, and she e6ntented herself by
fitting about in his view at distance.
The summit of the mountain is an
elevated plain, known by the name Of
Manhood. 1t commands an extensive
prospect on everyside; but these views
are not all equally delightful. When
you stand ion. the mouataip and cast
your eyes hack ward to the valley OF
Childhood, the mind is Overpowered by
conflicting emotions. You view with
delight the wanderings of infancy i'll
the valley of roses; but this enjoyment
is mixed with an inexpressible senti-
ment of sorrow and regret !: the thought
of joys never to be repeated, and o.
pleasures forever gone
The ascent of youth is viewed with
still less complacency. The alteration
in this part of the journey give to, th'
prospect bitterness and gloom tina
cloud the enjoyment, "Sweet, humble
vale!" said Armipe, looking, through
the long vista of Youth to the com
mencement of his journey, "Swee
humble valel your delights rsforeve
vanished your pleasures can meyer re
turnP .te al.tI AK
Having thus said, he turned himsel
around to take view of the elevated
plain on which he stood. The face o
the country was varied; some part
were covered with thistles and thorus
and others were covered with prou,
forests Of oak, aud groves of towerin
peplars. In some parts were to be see
Handicapped towers and gorgeous pa
aces and in Others the sordid and mis-
cradle "huts of cherries poverty.
Some of the. inhabitants build house
of marble, as though their residence
the place we're never to end; Will
multitudes we're crowded in cottages {
clay. Dark clouds hang continual
over the mountain: some contemplat
the appearance with calmness, BIT