San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-30
AN ESSAY BY A KING.
A Pretty Bit of Sentiment by Oscar Fred
rik of Norway and Sweden.

A Pretty Bit of Sentiment by Oscar Fred
rik of Norway and Sweden.
One autumn morning, as the sun had just
lifted its golden orb above the horizon, with
out, however, its rays having as yet warmed
the cold air, beheld standing hv the road.
side some birch trees, already covered
with yellow leaves. Their day was drawirI
to close; their life of bloom, though brief.
had been a lovely one; life passed in the
glorious nature in the north.
When the rays of the verna sun had meltvi
snow and ice when unclaimed rivulets plat.
tied pleasantly, and the lark struck its notes
in the azure sky, tender buds had come forth
from tie cold branches and twigs, the buds
became leaves; they throve in the balm?
spring breezes.
The young trees clad themselves in the
green color of hope. So long as summer, tine
golden tressed goddess, ruled in the north
they enjoyed their own blooming loveliness
In innocence and simplicity they caressed
each other, and offered a delicious shade t"
the wanderer fatigued by the fierce sun.
Now, when SUMMERTIME too brief one OF
the north-has fed, behold! with what hui
mility they bear their fate and shed the
treasures of their crown.
they stand yonder as if none the less admire
ing the silent morning hour They seem as
if speaking to the traveller who hasteus by
to his daily calling after his Sunday rest
And they awaken in him wonder, and call
forth thoughts that are less of this world.
Brotherl Man has also his spring, his
summer and his autumn. Spring is his
youth, summer his manhood and autumn his
old age. But in the heyday of mans spring
tide there may be autumn; in his autumntide
a CLEAN of dawning spring
Sorrow may change morn into eve, spring
into autumn. The tree of life struck by the
storm raises itself again with difficulty, or
requires, at all events, time to do so. 1t
might, indeed, be an impossibility but for
Samaritans ready to give helping hand.
Even the solitary desert palm may be shaken
by the sirocco till it falls, be it ever so tall
and strong.
But in the depth of autumn there may, God
be praised! also be spring. Behold the charm
ing birch trees in the grove yonder! They
are going to rest through the long winter
night, contented with their summer life. for
they hope that when winter has exhausted its
fury a still more glorious sun and more en-
chanting song than the bowling autumn
storms shall summon them to q new life, to
fresh joys! And such is their existence, an
unbroken chain of births and deaths
And we? We, who are often ungrateful
when the world goes against us-we, who
grumble and rebel against the wise dictates
of Providence and in self conceit wish to
build up a world ourselves, which we imagine
would be better one-what ought we to re-
memberi
Is not the promise sown in our hearts of
resurrection and spring, after the autumn of
life and the grave of winter2 Is it not surer
and more blessed tn that of any other
creature in the realm Il nature4
Have we not been endowed with the gift of
living in sympathy here below and of walk
ing together along the road of life in love and
Friendships And is not this gift greater
treasure than all those which the man of
pleasure deems priceless?
Why do we, then, despair9 The spring fol-
lowing upon our winters grave will not de-
part from US, for it is eternal Far more glo-
rious is it than an earthly spring. The sun is
God, and we are angels therein.
Should we believe that, friendship formed
here below shall also follow us thither9 Why
should we not believe that it shall become
even stronger than here!
Aye, friendship, which has united mankind
through all ages, in which they have lived
labored and struggled to reach the same goal,
although by different roads-that friendship
will certainly remain with US when the haven
is reached, and it shall, on brighter spring
morn, and to a more glorious spring chant,
follow us into the eternal spring, and be the
most cherished and joyful recollection Of our
past life on earth-of chilly autumntide!