The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1889-06-07
ESSAY BY A KING.
A Pretty Bit OF Sentiment by the King Of
Norway and Sweden.


just lifted its golden orb above the
horizon, without, however, its rays
having as yet warmed the cold air, !
beheld standing by the roadside some
birch trees, already covered with yell
low leaves. Their day was drawing to
close, their life OF bloom, though
brief, had been lovely one; life
passed in the glorious nature Of the
North.
When the rays Of the vernal sun had
melted snow and ice, when unclaimed
rivulets prattled pleasantly, and the bark
struck its notes in the azure sky, ten
der buds had come forth from the cold
branches and twigs, the buds became
leaves; they throve in the balmy spring
breeze. The young trees clad them
selves in the green color OF hope. So
long as summer, the golden-tressed
goddess, ruled in the North, they en-
joyed their own blooming loveliness. In
innocence and simplicity they caressed
each other, and offered a delicious
shade TO the wanderer fatigued by
the fierce sun. Now, when the summer
the toe brief one in the North-has
fed, behold! with what humility they
bear their fate and shed the treasures
Of their crown. In their decadence, In
their misfortune, they stand yonder as
if none the less adniring the silent
morning hour. They seem as il speak
ing to the traveller, who hastens by 20
his daily calling after his Sunday rest.
And they awaken in him wonder, and
call forth thoughts thai are less Of this
world.
Brother! 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 hey
day OF mans springtide 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 re-
quires, 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 il ever so tall and strong.
But in the depth Of autumn there
may, God be praised! also be spring.
Behold the charming birch tree in the
grove yonder! They are going to rest
through the long winter night, con-
tented with their summer life, for they
hope that when winter has exhausted
its fury, still more balmy, and still
more glorious sun. and a more enchant-
ing song than the bowling autumn
storms shall summon them to new
life, to fresh joys! And such is their ex-
istence, an unbroken chain Of births and
deaths.
And weP We, who are often migrate
ful when the world goes against us-we,
who grumble and rebel against the wise
dictates OF Providence and in self-con-
ceit wish to build up world ourselves
which we imagine would be better
one what ought we to remember?
Is not the promise sown in our hearts
Of resurrection and spring, after the
autumn of life and the grave of winter!
Is it not surer and more blessed than
that of any creature in the realm of
nature? Have we not been endowed
with the gift of living in sympathy
here below and Of walking together
along the road OF life in love and
friendshipP And is not this gift a
greater treasure than all those which
the man Of pleasure deems pricelessp
Why do we, then, despair The spring
following upon our winters grave will
not depart from US, for it is eternal. Far
more glorious is it than any earthly
spring. The sun is God, and we are
angels therein.
Should we believe that friendship
formed here below shall also follow us
thitherP Why should we not believe
that it shall become even stronger
than hereP Ay, friendship, which has
united mankind throughout all ages, in
which they have lived, labored and
struggled to reach the same goal, al
though by different roads--that friend
ship will certainly remain with us when
the heaven is reached, and it snail, on
a brighter spring morn, and to 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 autumn
tide!--Oscar Fredrik, in Nineteenth
Century. aa