The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
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ESSAY BY A KING.



a Pretty Bit of Sentiment by the kim Of
Norway and sweden.
One autumn morning, as the sun had
Just lifted its golden orb above the
horizon, without, however, its RAYS
having as yet warmed the cold air. I
oeneld standing by the roadside some
birch trees. already covered with vel
low leaves. Their day was drawing to
q close, their life of bloom, though
orlef, 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 lark
struck its notes in the azure skv. 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.
serves In the green color of hope. So
long as summer, the golden-tressed
goddess, ruled in the North, they en-
loyed their own blooming loneliness. In
innocence and simplicity they cares Ell
each other, and offered a delicious
shade to the wanderer fatigued by
the fierce sun. Now. when the summer
the too brief one in the North-has
fed, behold! with what humility thew
Dear their fate and shed the treasures
OF their crown. In their decaderce. in
their misfortune. they stand yonder as
II none the less admiring the silent
morning hour. They seem as if speak
ing to the traveller, who hastens by r.
his daily calling after his Sunday rest.
And they awaken in him wonder. and
call forth thoughts that are less of this
world.
Brother! Man has also his spring.
MS summer and his autumn. Surfing is
MS youth, summer his manhood and
autumn his old age. But in the hey
day of mans springtide there NAV be
autumn; in his autumntids CLEAN of
dawnlng spring. Sorrow may change
morn into eve, spring into autumn.
Ihe tree of life struck by the storm
raises itself again with difficulty, or re-
CURES, at all events, time to do so. 1t
might, indeed, be an impossibility but
for Samaritans ready to give a 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 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 more enchant.
ing song than the bowling autumn
storms shall summon them to a new
life, to fresh joys! And such is their ex-
istence, an unbroken chain of births and
deaths.
And we? We, who are often migrate.
full 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 a 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
Friendships And is not this gift a
greater treasure than all those which
the man of pleasure deems priceless?
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
thither? Why should we not believe
that it shall become even stronger
than heree 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
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 autumn
tide!-Oscar Fredrik, in Nineteenth
Century.