Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-07-11
downtown Locals.

In the GOODNESS of reflection, we survey
our surroundings with dispassionate and
comprehensive eye. What do we Sec
behold?' Look! why, not trees shorn of
their foliage, nor the Rose of Sharon with
cred on its stalk. True, the face of Nature
is changeable. We are not living in Eden,
the once happy home of our first parents.
o No! There our progenitors knew no
change-for did not mild Spring, gay Sum-
mer and plenteous Autumn charm there
minds eye, fields clothed in cheerful green,
and innumerable flowers deck our path
way-delightful day of our ebbing life!
Great God, We thank Thee. Look The
scene has changed.
The "Viroqua," Captain W. II. Moore,
at the helm, and mate Davie NJ rs busy as
bee obeying orders, making for Miller's
wharf Nothing, forsooth, is too difficult
for mortals to attempt. Well, the pretty
boat from Long Island, New York, has
madelher haven in safety, and TO our sur
prise, the Captain, most estimable gentle
man, came particularly for the purpose Of
accommodating small party 10 a sail.
What excitement! "Go, please, and get
my shawl" Bring me my plush cape"
Don't forget my g-lo.v e.s," etc, were
some Of the utterances heard Look
There they go-Misses Allie /. Dunlap,
Mary Barnes. of Lancaster, Pa, Mrs. Jack
son, Master jackson and, yes, an Exon
federate, tall find looking man in the
person of Clarence jackson, Esqr., of Bal
timore. The command, "All aboard" is
given, and the "Viroqua," with sails set to
catch the breezes of heaven quickly passes
out of sight. Fair Luna runs high in her
celestial orbit, and the merry party, few
of them for the first time, are upon the
waters of the majestic river, "Place of the
burning pine" Aye, the majestic Potomac,
the stream upon which the Indian once
was truly happy as he glided over its
placid waters in his log canoe. See! There
is beacon light. Yes, it is Piney Point
Light-a beacon in the night to warn YES
sells from running too near the shore-to
keep from danger-a faint resemblance of
the glorious light which the son Of God
sheds around the fervent believer in Reve-
laiion to guide his footsteps along the slip
perry banks of the stream of Time.
The red and white lights at the mouth of
Smiths c7eek--placed there by Theodore
l.. West. as beacons TO guide the steamers
Potomac, Sue, and Tarpon Alright in the
night-indicates that the ''Viroqua" is
speeding her way back to Miller's wharf
How swiftly she sails. Listeni What
reminder Of the poet, actor and dramatist,
John Howard Payne, for is II not ''Home,
Sweet Home" that is heard, so patheticzlIy
and sweetly sung by the party? "Down
jib." Ho. Orce more and the footsteps of
light-heartcd ladies are heard as they pass
by to the cottage plainly seen just beyond
the majestic oak which casts its spacious
shadow in the silvery like sheen of Luna.
Captain Moore received many thanks, and
we entertain not the slightest doubt that
the recollection of the sail which is due TO
him, will difi'use pleasing serenity through
the souls of the participants.
The grateful hearts of farmers, truckers
and perhaps. non-producers utter their
gratitude to Heaven. Delightful showers,
and vegetation presents TO the observing
eye a scene truly beautiful--not pleasing
image-no, but a reality.
The setting sun spreads mind radiance
through the sky. Soon the stars viii be
out. Silence reigns around us. We hear
naueht save the beating OF heart made
sad by the recollections of the past-the
distant past-and were il not for the flowers
and odoriferous shrubs which refreshes US
with new sweetness, naught save the smiles
of a celestial being could remove the
gloom which overslsadows our pathway
through life. AZZANA.