Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-05-27
AUGUSTA OF THE OLD DOMINION.
I For the SPECTATOR. !

]
Backward, through the lengthening
years, | fly on wings of thought, till my
tired, blistered, fevered feet bathe in the
cooling blue grass sward that carpets the
bank by the sweet crystal waters of the
North River branch of the Shenandoah
River as it glides swiftly from it's gushing
fountain in the deep hidden North Noun
tain fastness where the evergreen trees roof
earth from the piercing rays of summers s
sun, and their foliage shields from winter S
blast our birthplace near the foothills east
ward, where music by ''A New Boy
broke the silence and drove away anxiety
just fifty years ago next January.
Far-famed Augusta of the Old Domin-
ion!
How many noble heroes look to thee as
the spot from which they mark their be-
ginning of endless ages to come. How
many of her sons of art and classic lingo
have blessed the world with oratory,
pen, and song. Washington, Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Taylor, Pat
rick Henry with his fy-leaf from an
old book, and hundreds of others of
later birth not less marked with intellect
are on Virginia's honor-roll. There it is
that memory calls around us those who
shared with us our early joys with inter
walls of childish grief. o what a happy
throng, by memory summoned, are congre,
gated to live our young days over again.
But vacant seats betoken that many of
our comrades have been promoted-trans-
planted in more congenial soil. Very
many have fallen at their post in the morn
ing of life's battle-day, and sleep in hope
with honor for their winding sheet.
Some fell at noon Of life, in balmy sum-
mer time, mid songs of birds and cheerful
bowers. They, too, were heirs Of love and
hope, that pays rich dividends in life in the
happy future.
With many of her sons the lengthening
shadows have been quickly followed by
ChriStian-life's victorious sunset; and their
lives were SO artfully made up of usefulness
and cheer that no fitting words are found
to express the esteem by their fidelity and
honor won, and the tribute justly due them
They fought till greyed with age, and
God was not unmindful of them to forget
and leave them wandering amid earth $
sorrows forever, as though not worthy to
be gathered, but removed them to where
he has barred the sorrows ont.
How favored we, to enter life at the same
beginning place as they, with equal, yet
perhaps more silent hope.
How blessed the day, in the not far off
future, that hope has designated in her is
sued proclamation, when, at the crystal
fountain, in the evergreen mountain, by the
river of life, where is no strife, we shall
meet in sweet communion and hold our
Grand Reunion.
Let all our schoomates, kindred, friends,
be sure and note the time and place, and
meet us there and then, that Augusta Of
the Old Dominion may all be counted in.
From the 'Mother of six Presidents, :"
they have gone forth to all the earth; but
this invitation extends from the Empire
City, far-reaching right and left, to beyond
the "Father of Waters" to the Golden
Gate of sunset-to earth's five Grand Di-
visions-that "whosoever wilr' may bear
the holy welcome, "Of such is the King
dom of Heaven" and honor the invitation
given.
j. NJ. WOODDELL.
New VIENNA, o., May 9th, 1885.