West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-01-13
A Dream OF Duty.
written for TEE Asous.

One night amidst my dreams me,
thought l saw n spire-tipped, dome
erowned city, that had found n haven
where two deep rivers rushing to the
sea had blent in one safe, commodious
bay. Here, from many "A land came
ships that lay with
folded wings fiuttering in the breeze
Far inland l caught glimpse ofsunny
slopes and fertile wales, crowned with
bpuntiful harvesS sheltered alike
from the frosty arctic gales and the
parching winds which scorch n tropic
soil Summers fierce heat blent with
cool breezes from the wide.spreadinr
sea. No night too sultry for repose.
No fever breeding pool nor miasmatic
swautp was there, Co blight with
aRue's chill or fever fraught wi h
death, Health was spread on every
braeae. Throughout the innd relig ious
temples stood beside the fanss OF learn.
Ing. Men lacked not strength nor
courage, nor was there dearth OF wo-
men, good and fair Yet in my dream
a vast cloud, like pail, hung 'oer the
land and from IL "A mist seemed falling.
mist distorting truth, Yelling right.
eousness anc fertilising the germs OF
sin. Heavier II grew. thinning the
lustre OF the altar and chilling the
love OF God. rhcIes followed per.
feet tempest, wrecltlng NIL earthly
peace and love and cen the hone of
eternal happiness. a whirl wind, red
with blood and black with crime sapl
ped the strength and wisdom OF man.
kind, blasting the fairness VI tnis
garden spot Death itself 10 tho llyss
and souls OF men, yet in this fair city
many tanks saw id which TO treasure
mp this deadly dew. and on these tanks
dame wisdom had set a tax to be used
in past, ms the means OF lcsseninp
crime and want and further Justice In
her sublime ends. While from the
country far and near | saw men com
ing with Gods richest gifts 20 barter
for this poison which each day wrought
death and destruction on land and sea.
And as ] saw, II voice came unto me
so strong, so calm MARK we'll the
curse ! " Filled with awe, I faltered-
curse ?" Then tile voice answered
Though tho mourner's wall daily as.
cend, for youth cut of in all it's early
prime, and manhood blasted, for the
hearts that break. shattere by dis.
grace; for the hopes turned to hate
and love repaid with blows and curses;
and though children learn To fear
70 A 1t.
transformed 20 brutal enemies, though
on each hand Is seen this work OF de-
struction, the people seeing all, ARE
blinded stiil," Then askedI earnestly,
Hath no one told the horrid truth
and broken thus the spell ?" Answered.
he, aternly They are manifold who
warn In kindness, and OF ENJOYS. the
list Is long. Want, famine, remurse,
despair, madness, death, each the sad
tidings proclaim" Then hused
sadly, useless IL be TO warn this
doomed country, when cen DEATHS
voice passeth unheeded." Again came
the voice la encouraging tones. know.
est thou not that. ages since, beneath
shattered archway rain drop uuiv.
oFot y ct n udSSlVc bbO0ts nnHt use
IL thought 20 fall whero myriads more
like me have splashed Upon tho flint
IN vain seeking the thirsty earth be.
meath "Fall ard fear not" the sen
der OF the rain answered. The rain
drop fell upon the hint and on IL oull
fell other drops until now the rain
hnds neither arch nor stone. but heaps
OF mellow earth and waving grain
growing amidst IL. Now let thy work
be done cen as the rain dropsl for
mighty wall ever asccndcth TO the
Great White Throne. see IL aecuseth
not thee"
Ny dream was DER, but strange
though Il seem, deem IL trus pic.
turo. and feel II but moisty ~ my
duty done N telling you It's strange
fances Oh. friends, 10 This Gods
faire q land ars sc unable 70 SEQ this
social curse
Mss. w. n. q.