The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-06
Eev TA< .4yAaRsasv Trspsiey.
 FOREVER.
BY cKoRok swARrwour.

What volumes ot meaning cling about the simple yet sad word, " forever" The full extent of its meaning cannot be so well de6ned by the tongue as understood by the heart. It had it's inception with creation, yet, after worlds have ceased to roll and time shall be no more, 1t will pass on, on to that boundless ex,ent that passeth all understanding and canno, be measured by time
 The mariner sings blithely as in safety he rides OCT the wave; in fancy he sees sunny land away beyond the rolling pillows of the dark blue sea. There, kneeling in prayer for his saiety on the deep, he sees his old father and mo.her and dear one beside. His ship flies On before favoring gales. As he rises upon the crest of long, sweeping swell, he sees far away the shores of his dear, native land. A storm sweeps over the watery world, his ship goes down, and in one brief ins,an; he has caught the words full meaning, as be turns his eyes toward home and then heaven, and sinks be. meath the pillows forever
 How often, as we lightly bid a dear friend farewell, will a sadness steal into our hearts, as the voice of presenument whispers {" it will be forever"
 Often, as VIC bend over the couch of our sweet, sunny-faced little oneS would our hearts not be broken could we but realize that angels accompany us In sing ing them to sleep gently and swee,ly for. ever2
 Our gayest moods may be quickly dis pelled as we hear float from stranger lips, .snatches oi some old, forgotten song that recalls days and scenes that cannot come back, having once fled forever.
 What must be the thoughts of the poor, dying mother as her little ones stand at her bedside ere her spirit scars onward and upward above the world, planet and ssar9 Is not Hope the bright light that dispels deaths darksome shadows as she bids them be pure, that their parting may not be forevef5
 Toward sunset an old man tot.ers along a highway toward the scenes of his early youth. He has travelled far that he may look upon them once more before he dies. He seeks the house where he was born. Little children romp through the halls of mansion where once his old home stood. Strangers gaze suspi- ciously upon him as they coldly tell him that his parents and the friends of his youth long since passed away, then they bid him begone. He seeks the high way once more a wAndcrer, and eaters churchyard near. He waades isebiy about among the ivy-covered mounds until he finds those he seeks, then among them he kneels in devotion. At sunrise those who gszed coldly upon him at sum set find him there still. His prayer has been answered, for he sleeps with his kindred forever.
 For the poor, humble christian the world has no terrors as he lies down for the last time to sleep, but for the rich man, who has not by even a single act of kindness made lighter life's heavy burden imposed upon the poor, friendless and weak, the word must be full of terrible meaning as he realizes that the longest day must haze aa end, and the best of friends must par, for what friend on earth is to him 90 dear as the gold that cannot purchase for him home beside angels in heavene The king is not greater because of his riches and power, as he iiss down to sleep beside the peasant forever.
 So let us not sport in the waves that roll on Folly's false yet shining shore, but be simple and pure, speak kindly to all, and do good where we can, and our names will be cherished in the memory of man long after the spiri, has been called home forever.