The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-06-24

of the worlds follies and pleasures. Pass
ing through its splendid thoroughfares
is one who has left his home and native
land to view the splendors and enjoy
the pleasures of foreign country. He
has beheld with delight its paintings and
sculpture and he has gazed with rapture
on lovely scenes in that far off city, yet
in the midst of his great happiness,
when he was rejoicing most over privi-
leges he possessed; temptations came
upon him, sin was represented to him in
one of its most bewitching forms. he
drank wildly and deeply of the intoxi.
eating cup, and his draught brought
madness. Reason was overwhelmed,
and he rushed out, careless of what he
did or how desply he became immersed
the hitherto unknown sea of guilt;
the cool night air lifted the damp locks
from his heated brow, and swept with
soothing touch over his flushed cheeks.
Walking on calmer but no less determin-
ed, strains of music from a distance met
his ear; he at length distinguished the
words and air; the song was well remem-
bered it was "Home, Sweet Home"
Clear and sweet the voice of some English
singer rose and fell on the midnight air
in the soft cadences of that beloved
melody. Motionless the wanderer listen
ed till the last strains foated away, and
he could hear nothing but the ceaseless
murmuring of great city. There he
turned slowly with no feeling that his
manhood was shamed by the tear which
fell as bright evidence of the power of
song. The demon that dwells in the
wine had fled, and reason once more
controlled as the soft strains "Sweet
Home" had floated to his ear. Memory
brought up before him his own sweet
home; he saw his gentle mother and
heard her spesk, while honest pride
beamed from the eye of her son whose
nobleness and honor she could always
trust, and his heart smote him as he
thought how little he deserved such con.
fdence. He remembered her last words
of love and counsel and the sad farewell
OF all the dear ones who gladdened that
far away home with their presence. The
tide of remorse swept over his spirit as
he felt what their sorrow would be,
should they have seen him an hour be-
fore. Subdued and repentant and
with the vow never to taste of the terri
BILE draught again, was mingled a deep
sense of thankfulness for his esca pc from
further degradation. The influence and
sweet memories Of home had protected
him, though the sea rolled between.
Not one can tell how often crime is pre-.
vented by such memories. If then the
spell and influence of home is so power
ful, how important is it to make it pleas.
ant and lovable. Many cheerful home
and smiling face does more to make good
men and women, than all the learning
and eloquence that can be used. Is not
home the dearest name for Heaven?
We think of that better land, where
brightness, JOY and gladness, will never
end in night
"We are all here,
Father, mother, sister, brother,
You that love with love 80 dear,
This may not long of us be said,
Soon must we join the gathered dead;
And by the hearth we now sit round,
Some other circle will be found,
Oh then that wisdom may we know,
Which yields life of peace below.
So in the world to follow this,
May each repeat in words of bliss,
We are all all here.'