The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-22
HOUSE AND HOME.
vritten for the Indianapolis Journal.

u
fected light on pictures, and walls, and ceiling,
sheds warm flush over ali, soft as a summer
SUNSET; and, as snugly settled In an easy chair,
inhaling the luxurious breath from a seething
heap of coals--whose long stored supplies of light
and heat are being given up 1.-THE better for age,
like old wine) and il genial rays which not the
mellowest beams Of autumn can rival-how
natural it seems to congratulate ones self on the
situation, especially when contrasted with the
| experience Of an hour ago, as homeward bound,
through piercing wind and binding snow, and
in that mental serenity, the offspring of bodily
comfort suffer thought to leave the dusty road
ways Of travel and roam at will, like the tired
animal that has shed its harness Dismiss the
thronging cares that have filed the day, and for
while let facts give place to fanoes-not to re-
| build the ruined castles projected by youthful
fancy. or to search for glowing pictures whose
imagery, in Goals. the eyes Of childhood only can
see; not TO indulge in dreams of wealth and
splendor, which the sober realities of life have
dlspelled long ago, or to squander our moments
in vainly wishing for those things that the ex-
perienees of life have proven to be but glded
delusons, and in possession have been "Apples
quiet, coatentmens take ''the best of now and
here as, moored in this quiet harbor. aftea an
other days sail over the restless waves of life,
we contemplate with grateful pleasure the
blessings Of the place and hour,
A home Il. g., a houseI is enc of the primitive
wants OF man, which, to constructand maintain,
demands no small portion of his lfe's labor; a
place where he may come for shelter, and a
place where he may enjoy undisputed the rest
his nature demands, and, through repose, renew
his energies when wearied with toll or wasted by
disease Toward it his steps are bent. When
fortune smiles upon him or when her dark frown
drives him to despair to it he brings his burden,
whether, like the bee laden with the honeyed
sweets of successful toll, bearing the bitter
fruits of disappointment and failure, which life's
best efforts so often yield Here, through dark
hours he awaits the dawn of hope with the NOR
rows sun; here, in communion with his thoughts,
knowledge changes to wisdom as he turns to
| account the experiences Of the day, noting the
difference between the seeming and the real;
here, the shams of life fEd no room; every mask
and cloak of deception is laid aside, and the man
is truly himself. Here the plans and purposes
of life are formed here it's hopes begin, and its
illusions end.
The love of home is a universal law in every
country whether in civilized or savage life--no
matter how drear the spot how forbiiding the
surroundings or inhospitable its climate. The
fishers hut upon the narrow strip Of land that
barely gives it footing shut in by tall cliffs that
leave it no outlook but the sea and sky the
lowly dwelling of the peasant upon the sterile
heath, whose scanty growth poorly conceals its
poverty, and whose soil reluctantly yields him
q scanty living; whether perched upon the
mountains side hidden in the valley or buried in
forest depths, though it be the rudest structure
that art could DEVISE the cottage with its 'barky
walls" even the rude howell that barely gives
shelter from the storm-still. the place where his
eye first opened to the light where his ear first
heard the low Groom of his mothers voice, is
dearer to his heart than any hall or mansion
that wealth and pride in after years have built.
Home! There is magic spell that cngs about
it; a low, sweet music in the sound as it's name
is uttered. which, like the notes of birds, or the
perfume OF flowers, is too. exquisite for words to
tell. There is power in it TO open human hearts
not measured by time distance that which
sought out the lonely grave of wanderer, who had
lain for more than a score OF years in a foreign
land, brought his bones over the seas, to rest at
last in his native soil, and raised lasting monu-
ment upon the spot, in grateful remembrance of
one who voiced the sentiment of all loving hearts
in one simple song.
Homei 1t echoes in the tread of the thousands
who throng the ways of cities in the gray twi-
light hour, when lighted lamps tell of the COM
ing night, as from the store, and shop, and fac
tory, like birds let loose, they hurry on each
lured by the light that shines for him, through
the gathering darkness, in some window, near
or far, toward which his heart outruns his foot
steps in eagerness to reach the favored spot.
1t rings in the shrill whistle of the midnight
train, whose dazzling headlight pierces the thick
darkness as it rushes on. telling the weary trav-
eler that his journeys end is near, and his tired
browse gives place to happy thoughts of eyes
and hearts that await his coming. How sweet
the recollection to the sailor in his voyage half
round the world as he huns line from some
old familiar song whose refrain is piped for him
by the winds 10 the shrouds, and the ceaseless
plash OF waves keeps alive tho unrest within
him.
Home To the wounded soldier, as, sheltered by
some rock or tree close to the battles stormy
edge, with life ebbing fast away-how his
thoughts turn to the dear old spot IA the gather
ing film shades his eyes from all surrounding
things. and his ear dull to the lannon's roar-can
hear again the whispered words of chiidhood
cit is the music to whose tone
The common pulse of man keeps time.
In cot castles mirth moan.
In cold or sunny Cline"
Here, helpless infancy is cradied here totter-
ing age waits through its twilight hour. 1t is
here the day star Of hope rises upon his Weakening
life, and where the mellow rays of sunset fall as
he sinks serenely to repose. Nature gives am
pie evidence of her regard for this condition,
even in her humber creatures, and has endowed
them with wisdom to combine strength, dura-
bility and beauty in the construction of their
habitations; and the little 'toilers of the sea-"
from foundations broad and deep. rear columns
and arches that rise in stately magpifcence to
breast the ocean currents and defy the fury Of
its waves, challenging the constructive power of
man with all his boasted wisdom and strength;
and there are coral caves that glisten with
sparkling beauty like the starry firma-
ment and myriads of strangely wrought
shells, in whose hollow wrcathed cham
bers the music OF the sea never ceases,
whose glistening Innings, delicate as the tracery
of frost. rich in coloring as summer skies, and
| exquisite as anything woven by natures shuttle
from aEnshina and rain drana ixfo tiatS of