Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-01-04

Weapons now HdSHlHP Ill tuc Dun
warriors, on foot and mounted, rushing
hither and thither-horses, plunging
over the forms OF the dead and the dy-
ing-groups OF soldiers bearing off n
wounded comrado- officers leading
their forlorn hopes-soldiers knecling
in prayer or writhlng in agony; on
gagged in hand-to-hand conflict, and
standing sentinel on the outpost
squads Of men beside cannon, in front
of which lay wreaths OF dead and
wounded-officers' tents-regiment OF
men not yet called into action. Over
this field lowered ravens and angels,
while on it could be seen women guard
ing and nursing those dearer to them
than life itself. God bless women, the
best Of all gifts to man and humanity.
Every artist from the spirit world
must have been engaged here last night.
There were implements and machines
OF all kinds. A printing-press standing
beside guillotine-a cradle beneath n
gallows-a violin and case OF surgical
instruments lay side by side on a card
table-a cannon on which was pipe OF
peace. stood boldly forth-a broad
sword and quill pen hung suspended
from the same hook--a pleasure car
riage and an artillery wagon stood ready
for use, while in the distance was rail-
road on which was train made up OF
cars, stages, high back cutters, wheel
barrOws, stone boats, Chinese pioughs,
and Indian dug-outs! And each was per-
feet, rs though these were the patterns
from which every thing of the kind had
been fashioned. We could see them all
as articles in the road and the fields OF
the present and fut ire all in one.
There were crowded ball-rooms-p
mic parties roaming through grottOes,
and resting in sylvan like retreats and
hidden trysting-places. There were
farm scenes and city scenes There were
sportsmen on the plain in full pursuit OF
buffalo on horses chasing fly
ing Indians-hunters in the forest
standing beside Il tree, or kneeling be-
hind log, waiting the approach of IL
deer, seen in the distance, snutfing dam
ger from afar! Everything that man
could think Of was here, so beautifully
designed, SO boldly commenced, so
lightly finished, so perfect and so varied
that it seemed as if the entire panorama
OF eternity mad been spread before
those who chose to witness the magnifi-
cent display. There were libraries filed
| with books-caTiages filled with people
stores filed with goods air filed with
birds-faces of men, women, and chill
dren, filed with JOY, hope, fear, love,
hate, doubt, sorrow, anguish, remorse,
and despair--heavens filled with angels,
ornaments studded with stars, each
scene glittering under the rays of the
morning sun with far greater brilliancy
than ever shone from pearl or diamond.
Beautiful and mysterious!
have just been in to look at the win
dow again, and such change! My
stars have all disappeared; the delicate
tracings making the foliage of the for
ests have all melted down. The heauti-
full plants are stripped of their leaves
and flowers, and look more like straws,
broken and twisted into "a thousand
ugly shapes! The pretty little h,iE,-
ming-birds and butterflies have all
melted and are not TO be seen! The
birds, that looked so beautiful half-hid-
den among the leaves of the trees, are
flown, and the little twigs on which
they sat, surrounded by flowers, have
been transformed into wet, cold graves!
The beautiful pines, from the drooping
boughs of which hung such beautiful
snow draperies n few moments since,
have been breathed on by q passing
breeze, and now stand there, grarled
and twisted trunks, devoid of beauty CO
interest. The splendid embroidery is
not to be Geen; but where it was SO ar-
tistically draped, and elegantly display
| ed, hangs something that looks like Il
shroud! The crowded room in which
an hour since so many were dancing,
has grown larger but the danccrs have
| departed! Where the orchestra was,
is now coffin, with Il solitary mourner
kneeling by its side, her head
bent in weeping, her feet
| bathed in tears. God bless
the solitary one, wherever she
may be! The pretty walks and bor-
ders in the Bots dc Boulogne have Civ
en- place to sloppy cutters, down which
| the molten frost is coursing! The
| mountains are dwindling down-tbe
plains on which so many bluff were
seen, are still there, but oh! how
| changed! The ships have gone TO the
bottom of the lakes and oceans, while
the oceans are also disappearing! The
river that looked SO beautiful an hour
since is still to be seen, but it is now
the river of death! It's swelling waters
have flooded the fowery banks-haye
swept down the little craft that floated
so securely there not long since, and
are now climbing and washing up
against the sides of the bluff! The bat
| tle-feld has been drowned in tears,
and all that remains OF its glittering
| soldiery, and thirst for glory, is a blank!
| The spires have gone from the churches
tho cities have been drowned out
the streets are little Holland canals
the deer and hunter have sunk into the
! earth-the crowd that walked by
the river bank have all gone, and the
whole scene has changed.
The railroad has been taken up, and
the train of cars has given place to
hearse in which is a coffin, All the
| happiness ] saw there an hour since
has fled, and nothing now is left but
tears and pdneS! The little cascades.
| III, h,nnlx1a+., 49,