The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-08-30

when we have reached our middle goal
of life, but there is another feeling akin
to this, that we have the chance TO eX-
perience yearly, and that is when we
view the first prophecies of autumn.
Time, throughout the spring and sum-
mer, has been busy distilling into ma
ture the gorgeous essence of the sun
shine, and this develops into living YER
dure. When he has finished this he
then commences to sap this potent
strength from the world of Vegetation,
and in its last hours how gorgeous and
beautiful in scarlet and gold is nature.
The air holds solemn Stiffness and
the great suns disk, having grown dim
of it's constant brightness, emits a gol-
den luster on the melancholy world,
which adds to the already bewildering
beauties of nature. The soft breath of
autumn kisses our cheek as il does at
no other season, yet every one of the
breaths whisper a silent and sad fare
well. Before we are aware of il we are
fondly loving mother nature. as it is
natural to grow fond of all things as its
strength wanes and the end seems near,
it is impossible to be otherwise than in
love with her, for she has dressed so
oppreSsingly affectionate, yet to neu-
tralize ourselves from all natural feel
ings, how like a shroud and pail seems
natures dress. and a funeral dirge in
each zephyr. Many are the variations
of pleasure and sadness, and content
ment and discontentment that fits
across our soul as we consider these
characteristics of autumn and reflect
thereon. But Of all things that fancy ever
dreamed or hope ever craved could not
compare with the calm blessedness and
the oppressive seclusiOn of the silent
woodland and the eloquent stiffness that
pervades even the very air of autumn
time.
There are some other very striking
emotions that class themselves next in
fr1a 70 he ,,a1aV ,l,a1r~ x,F ell
that inspire me with awe. 1t is the
grandeur Of a thunder storm. But can
you half express the awful depression
of your spirits when the long-loolxed for
rain storm is wildly threatening us and
finally passes into a nonentity The
whole armament appearing as though
ii never could rain, leaving the dry old
earth to gap for something to drink, it
is so thirsty. But, on the other hand,
how happy and light-spirited we are
when our long-brewing thunder cloud
bursts over us and the rain pours down
in torrents We have watched the cloud
as X formed, with great mountains of
mist, rolling and heaving in space Fin
ally the lightning glares. tapping the
clouds with its long, fiery tongues as if
And again the thunder rolls, Earring
the whole earth with its monstrous
tones. Methjnks it is like a mountain
streaked with gold and the mighty
dNelancne pedllng from Its sides. How
grand But yet while we consider its
immense beauty we have to realize that
destruction is innate in its very presence,
and that these powers hold life at no
premium. All material things are
naught under it's sway.
The storm is upon us. the very firma-
ments are furious, the rain gushes forth
In torrents, but steadily Stacks: the
lightning grows DINNER and the thunder
more distant. and only a glare and rum
bic. and presently neither. All have
passed on with time. The thirsty clods
have drank deep Of the gushing draught.
the Vegetation has absorbed its fill an6
the air has grown so pure and whole
some from its fiery scorching. The
whole land is cooled by it's drenching
and we can now retire to rest from our
earthly task and cast our weary mind
into the halls of fantasy for the next few
hours. Yes. we can go to our rest and
sleep the sweet sleep of the protected.
for the land has been made pure and
wholesome and cleansed for natures
need.
Kind friends I was so sorry I could
not be permitted to attend the reunion.
but know YOU all had a glorious time"
Ye normalites of '93, how are you pro-
crossing. Please let me hear from you
And all the rest of you. how do you do?
And with an adieu L am your Howard
brother. MARK"
Fowler, Ind, Aug 26.