Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-09-27
Communicated
A Visit to the Old Home After Being
Absent 10 Years.

Once more am | permitted after
long absence to sit down in the old
homestead where first saw the light
of day, and where childhood and
youth were happily yet in many in
stances thoughtlessly spent. The sun
is quietly setting in the west, its last
mellow ray gliding the tree tops of
the wood near by as it did in the
past. What recollections of the past
rush over me as | sit surrounded by
the relics of the old home upon the
hill side. Many things have faded
and are decaying through the lapse
of time. What wonderful changes
have taken place hereAchanges that
cast shadows over the path of life.
The old yard where so many hours
we boys and girls spent in youthful
glee is somewhat changed; the old
walnut trees still remain but many
other changes time has produced.
Here are left marks that bring back
with a thrill things that had long
since passed away and were forgot
ten. Associations, friendships, JOYS,
fears, successes and reverses, all of
which here had their birth and many
of them their death, have passed
away forever. Alas, the family tie is
broken, and where once a large fami-
ly assembled and spent many joyous
hours together, little suspecting the
changes time would produce, at this
time only one brother and the moth
er, who is now So years old, occupy
the old homestead. Other sons and
daughters, who are still living, are
scattered here and there, while some
now sleep in the silent dust, having
already been visited by many, and
over which the Spring flowers have
often blowed and then quietly drop
ped back into mouldering dust. Can
it be that they have slept so long in
their graves and will return no more
to brighten the old home, tighten the
burdens and soothe the sorrows of
life? No, no more forever. They
have gone, and though they may Wis
it us in the sweet visions of the night,
wakes and finds them still
in their long home. As | was near
ing the old homestead and meeting
with friends and associates, how my
mind wandered back to childhood
days. Oh, how fresh were the days of
youth. | only spent a few days in
pleasant conversation with friends
and associates, which | enjoyed very
much. In the enjoyment and pleas
ure of my visit | shared a grand feast !
at the old home, prepared by the |
mother and children for the purpose
of having a grand reunion to have all
the children and friends meet, which |
did occur. Oh what a sacred |
place in the memory of every person |
does the old home occupy. What |
mingled feelings of sadness and de
light fill the mind at evening time |
when the cares of the day have been |
laid aside and the mind is free to wan
der here and there. How often does
it choose to travel back and survey |
the path of childhood and youth and |
in fancy take seat once more in the |
dear old home and listen to voices
now forever silenced, and look upon
all the surroundings there with a joy
that tongue cannot express nor words
portray. Those thoughts were fresh
in my mind and can never be forgot
ten while memory is true. With all
its surroundings and associations,
with many happy cheerful faces, yet
everything has gone. A change-the
white marble in the grave yard marks
the sleeping place of dear father,
brother and sisters who used to en-
JOY our family circle. Others are sep
Irated by many weary miles, perhaps
never to meet again on earth. Moth
er, brother and sisters let us then all
ook. up from this earthly home, so
sweet, that has formed green spots
n the memory of the past, to that
beautiful abiding home up yonder
by time, where Gods peo-
pie shall spend eternity together in
Joyous thanksgiving to Him who has
owed us and bought us with His own
blood upon the tree. Kind friends,
nay this home be yours and mine
when we have passed from our earth
y homes beyond the shadows of the
valley of death.
As we sit around this family board,
These happy faces come and go;
The joy their presence can afford,
The human heart alone doth know.
Imagination paints each face
AS they appeared long years ago,
We see their smiles, we hear their words,
And tears adown our faces flow.
As from this home one by one
We go away with noiseless tread,
May we each have lifc's duties done,
With pleasure join the gathered dead.
Then as the last from earth shall go,
No wandering feet Re left to roam,
May each fond heart with rapture glow
AS we repeat, "We're all at home,''
Jos. WEIBEL. Florida, o.