The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1891-04-23
THE BALANCE or POWER.

~ nts New Tears ENe-auu py tue
hearth Of 40 open fire place sat 90 old man
NJ asins on the past. sud watching the ton
gnes Of fame ~ they reduced the maple
stick 10 burning Goals; ~ be looked upon
them be sang. in cracked tones. . stan
"a Of hymn which Was one OF his fsv-
ori.cs;--
Father I hank thee. may no thoughts
her deem thy ebAstissmerts stysfs,
And may their hear, by folly taught,
Calm each Wild rush, each frantic fear
10 bis youth be had led the choir In the
village church and 10 his age be still lik
ed TO hear the sound OF bis own voice at.
taned to prsising the Lord. As be sang
be thought Of those who had gone before
him to join the invisible choir that sings
the praises Of the lamb amid the tbrong OF
the pleased - which be hoped soon 10 join.
for death had lost all its sting for him,
and be waited it's summons with the peace
full happine" which belongs to the even
ing Of = well spent liie
Mr.. Harrison bad lost his wife eight
years before; his only daughter WAS com
tortabiy settled in q home Of ber own. but
bis ouly son badbroughs bis family to the
old homestead, and had arranged with bis
father to carry on the farm ITO halves, "
the old man retaining the management
osiensibiy, and also doing what work be
pleased. He had kept the old nursery for
his bedroom. and shared the sitting room
and dining room with bic sons family.
But as age crept over him be had found
the quiet OF his own room more agreea
BILE TO him, and he was accustomed to sit
there during the long winter evenings and
read the daily newspapers. while his son
would often join him to discuss the bust.
ness OF the farm and TO talk upon politics
OF the day, for Mr.. Bsrrison's mind still
retained its vigor. As be sat and mused
and hum med the tunes be used TO delight
in singing. Thomas, his son, opened the
door, and the old man said:
Come in, Toni Come right inl I'm
thinking OF the old times when you were Q
baby. and mother sat here and che and
ssug together the old tunes We learned s'
singing school, where we fell 10 love with
each other. Oh, how happy we werel Ol
course we had our crosses TO bear
shouldn't been human IL we hadn't. Tain,
the lot OF mortals to enjoy all sunshine. OF
bear all storms. And was sot in my way
I know that wouldn't give 10 easy. Su
thin OF the bull dog about me, and you
too, for that matter. We both OF us have
the square jaw that tells Of the have YOU
own way folks, haven't We Tom9
But she was as likely woman as eveI
got my eyes on. pretty IS picture enc
smart Q chain lightning! Yet when sh'
began to dispute she wouldn't hold ou'
long and alters let me have the last word
90 there we're no long quarrelings 'twix
Us. Then l alters felt ashamed when
thought about it as l plowed or moved o
resped or drove the oxen, and when l wen
to the village ia bring her suthin'-prap
. new dress or . ribbon; il nothing else
quarter pound Of candy. Wimmen folk
like sweet things, you know, Tom. ant
they would alters do the business for me
and she'd always give me q kiss in retur
and 80 it was oil honey pie With us again
Aod I've been thinking and thinking bel
, this New Years eve. SIXTY two years ag
married her--and yet she comes to m
TO nigh, ss young and fresh and bioomin
ss on that happy day. Aud forget tn
years that have passed. my heart forget
sll it's aches and ale, and / dream that v
} are young together. and when you opene
that door was talking with her. didn
you hear us7 Do you think I'm losing m
senses that say these thinga. Tom9 Nc
. bi,l tell you il you live to be 80 yeA'
old you will live in the past more than !
the present am old-droppins dow
lik . sere aud yellow leaf soon TO be tro
y den under foot. ~
And the old man sighed heavily, ~
the s~skening from a pleasant dream to
sad reality.
Yes, father. yesl ssid Tom; you are grov
ioa old and feeble. and Mary and hsv
been thinking that you ought not TO q
: any more work. but Just sit beside the D.
place, aud let us take care OF you.
Well. we'll said the old man testify,
dou't know about ihs. I've got son
muscle left sint quite antiqus,ed "
like old Scott. who Is 90. goess there
some work left in my old bones still.Wh
are you shining st. Tom? out with II! L
slller. downright and TO the point u
kuow l don't beat round the bush.
We'll, father. ~e thongbt, said Tot
Mar, aud I-thst perhaps you'd deed
the farm and its sppurtensnces. aud
up promise to take care Of you While y
live. =,
don't know abou, that. sfii Mr. Hal
son. I've hesrn tell OF such brgH
where they fairly druv the old man ic I,
grave. or.~us than ,hst.so the poor hou'
Isou't koow sbani ,hst. Tom Wbs'
the u.,,sr with Mary aud your Halt
you 90, enough TO live on pos. to be s'
IA v.ii I'LL my desib Tor The resii ale
c.lA Ails,ed to give You the farm. and Ms
nv bank .tcck snd coupon tonds, b
that. giving you double portion. e
shieh boys sllers got 10 my day n
where dses the shoe pinch you
- Ms,f
Why, fstbsr. it don't pinch. ssid To
nd OILY VOC kpos ve have 60. several eh
Z" dren and ethers may come. and John.y'
ususssske. mus, so TO school tbs o.
year. 1t Won't do moi 70 school h'@'