Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1890-06-25
An AMERICAN ROnE.

I vent 70 Washington the other Gay,
and I stood on the Capitol hill, % my
haart beat quick as l looked at the tower.
iue marble OF my country's capitol, ana
tho mist gathered in my eyes ~ ! tnougns
Of its tremendous significance; ana the
armies, and the treasury, q the JoGge
and the president, and the congress, and the
courts, aud all that was gathered there.
And 1 felt that the sun In all its course
could not look down on . better sight than
that majestic home Of the republic that
had taught the world ITS best lesson OF
liberty. Aud I felt that, IL honor AID jus.
tice Aud wisdom abide therein, the Word
would 1t least owe the great house, IN
which the srk of the covenant OF my coun-
try is lodged, it, anal uplifting and its re-
generation. Two days afterward ! went
to visit . friend in the country, . modest
man with . quiet country home. 1t wat
Just . simple unpretentious house set
about with great big trees, encircled With
meadow and field rich with the promise OF
harvest. The fragrance of the pick and
holybock in the front yard was mingled
with the aroma Of the orchard and OF the
garden, and resonant with cluck OF poultry
and the bum Of bees. Inside was cleanli-
ness thrift and comfort. There was the
old clock that had welcomed in STEADY
measure every new m to the family,
that had licked the solemn requiem Of the
dead, and had kept company with the
watcher at the bedside. There were the
big restful beds and the open fireplace,
and the old family bible, thumbed with the
fingers of hands long since still and wet
with the tears of eyes long since closed
holding the simple annals OF the family,
sud the heart and conscience OF home.
Outside, there stood my friend, the master,
y simple, ~psiehi ,lindApAndAnf man. with
no mortgage on his roof, no lien on his
growing crope, master OF bis land and mas
ter Of himself. There wal his old father.
IN aged, trembling man, but happy in the
heart and home OF his SON. And ~ they
started to their home the hands Of the old
man went down on the young mans
shoulder, laying there the unspeakable
blessing of the honored and grateful
father, and ennobling it with kniehthood
Of the fifth commandment. And as they
got to the door the old mother came, with
the sunset falling fair on her face and
lighting up her deep, patient eyes, while
her lips trembling with the rich music OF
her heart, she babe her husband and her
sos welcome to their home. Beyond was
the housewife busy with her household
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bucklee and helpmeet of her husband.
Down the lane came the children trooping
after the COWS, seeking as truant birds do,
the quiet Of the home nest. And l saw
the night come down on that house, fall
ing gently as from the unseen dove.
Aud the old man while q startled bird call.
ed from the forest, and the trees shrilled
with the crlckets cry, and the stars were
swarming in the sky, got the family around
him, and taking the old bible from the
table. called them to their knees, the little
baby hiding in the fold Of its mothers
dress, while he closed the record of that
simple day by calling down Gods benedic-
tion on that family and that home. And
while ! gazed the vision OF the marble
capitol faded. Forgotten we're its treas.
ures and it's majesty, and l said: oh,
surely, here in the homfs OF the people are
lodged at last the strength and the re.
sponsibility Of government, the hope and
the promise Of the republic" Henry W
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