The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-04-05
THE OLD HOME.
AGAIN THE SCENES
OF YOUTH.
come Reflections that are Fraught
with both Pleasure and Sadness.
rGold,boro Methodist Advance. J

.,cnn,ng stones, the shady trees and
crystal spring were there. hnd my
flyorite wildwood path unchanged;
he water triCkled Gown among the
stones as it was wont to do OF yore.
On, on, | pass over the old Drloge
and up the hill through the gate, eacn
step bringing up vivid memories OF
tht past. Nature is as beautiful as IN
NV childish days, but l alas, am
changed! Years have gone by and
1eff thelr traces on my brow, and now,
with feeble steps and slow, onward
90 to gaze upon the spot that gave me
birth. NJ familiar faces greet me, 10
bind hands are etret"H...' =. come
me. Oh, tor some quiet spot IN which
to weep the bitter, burning tears that
we'll up from the fountain OF an ach-
ING heart! What visions crowd upon
me here! Each step | take IS tread
ING on the past. Faint shadows OF
loved forms glide through these halls,
their memory coming 10 me ike
nIea,aut dream. Here IN the old
kitchen, by the fireside, our Joyous
group we're wont to gather at even
tide. What pleasing memories Ilnger
here The hours of toll and wearl-
ness have fled, and only cheerful looks
aaI loving words are thought of now.
Here, in the rarlor, day after day,
the Holy Word was read, and song
of thanksgiving and the voice OF
PRAYER were heard. There IS our
fathers place, and here our mother S
chair was wont to stand. Here IN
years gone by, holy VOWS we're spoken !;
and here, O, yes, l we'll remember
where the sainted dead were iaId, and
mourner& gathered round to weep and
take the last sad look. And now /
come, pilgrim and alone, and ind
each cherished spot desecrated by
strangers tread; and | must wander
forth and tread my childhood S haunts
again, and breathe the pure fresh ar,
and dl.nk in strength to bear the
changes time has wrought. The Old
seat beneath the shady tree IS gone,
the garden spot looks wild and desc
late, wild grass is tangled through the
bushes, and where my flowers were
wont to bloom rank onions grow. lht
I,arn is full of sweet scented hay and
clover. ! open the little gate anc
> wander on over the wide fields, anC
/ gaze upon the tar-o!t blue hills tina
bound my home there, where tht
shadows used 10 AL, they 'lnEer still
[ and the deep blue of the mountain
5 m;ngles with the cloudy sky. Ihos'
. Old wood crowned hills, how | hav'
i loved them, when they bounded Il
n rpy world OF hope and love, and hoH
Il love them still, and ever shall I'll
. memory fail. But where are they, tn
n loving and beloved, that were aroun'
me then? Some, like me, are wan
dcrefs-some amid the wildwood
, some on the briny deep, and IN
- prairie land far, far away, and some
; the beloved ones sleep the sleep thc
knows no waking. Alone | sit in I'll
, old seat in the little meeting hou5'
rs and wander, through the tall weec
" that grow among the tOmbs-all, a
H. is desolate. Alone, and with tt
dead! Bat even here may not wee
L in peace, strange eyes must watch N
ID bitter grief Sadly | wander on,
Of vain seek one little grave TO pluck
l. blossom there. But yet, | sorrow NJ
" as those who have No home. In Il
.e better land, in my unchanging hom
, shall find my lost again. FareWe
- my long loved home, am blddr
~ thee a last adieu.
y Yes my heart is almost breaking,
~ While a'last sad leave | am taking,
Sc How nv heart with anguish SWellS
If Whit" the birds are Swretly singing,
its An the echoes wildly ringing
i. Through the woods and sunny 0ellS.
Is Where the ,,..,rr,.--'.,- nowetl
And the Wild wilma gently hloweth
Through the branches of the trees :
There in DAYS Of youth and gladneSS,
L. Without fear of grief Oil sadness,
| have listened to the breeze.
Listened while it swept around me,
With Il breath that ever bound ME,
Still rejoicing to be glad;
Glad the future ever beameth,
With light that brightly gleameth,
. How can youth and hope be sad
Hope. bright Hope. thou hast depaTte
Here | wander brOken-hearted,
D Sad and ureary and alone;
n, There is not one Vt ice in gladneSs
Cometh now to break the sadness,
With the music Of its tone.
'o' Hope, with all loved and cherished
eQ. From thy dear old hauntS has persisted
ID And may not linger here
Man not stay to dream Of changes
Which the true, fond heart e>tE"nGeS
From the friends it once held dear.
,xt Why, then, should ! hpger longer,
q Even though thy ties were stronger,
". must surely break the spell.
y One last Look. and then ! leave thee;
=. Yes, although it deeply grleve me,
L. T,r