The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-04-05
Communicated

windows Of the soul " and that ones
character can be partially read by
watching the eyes Other say, 81 the
mouth Is the feature most expressive
of chararler. This may be, but how
natural in meeting one to raise our
eyes and meet theirs like to look
people straight in the face, not TO stare,
but to glance straight in their eyes.
| Often think eyes speak to each other
as plainly as even lips This | know,
brave. smiling eyes often cheer one. and
when you encounter such eyes, be they
D ssessed by stranger or friend, they
are always welcomed in passing. /
have known such an encounter to
change whole train Of sorrowful
thought, and some how cause a clearer
and more sun shiny view Of things.
81 let Us have clear eyes, and brave,
smiling. true eyes, for we know not
what good mission they may 60 on. In
carrying a ray u sunshine into another
i
life.
For such brave, sunny, true eyes,
glanciug straight into yours, are like
ships passing each other in long voy-
sge, and speaking u each other in
passing.
A few evening ago strolled through
one Of the.parks, the view was one OF
the finest in the city Richmond, "our
Queen City OF Virginia. lay mostly
stretched before me. with its numerous
suburbs. stretching away over the hills
like progressive fingers.
The river on the left, was fecked
with crimson and gold from the. bright
sunset clouds in the western sky and
farther up the river, now aud then,
could be seen white marble shaft, or
monument in our silent city Of
II llywood There the city lay below
me. wrapped in delicate mist Its
numerous spires pointing Heayenward d,
constant reminder that our journey
through life should be upward and on
ward -
The great dominated face Of the
clock in the city hall tower shone down
on the passing throug, the great hands
pointing to six, aud heard the sweet
tones Of the bell chime the hour as l
/ looked
The various factories, machine shops,
mills. etc, seemed 90 catch up the
sound, and the city was alive with
bells and whistles, saying work was
over for the day. Soon saw the streets
far below me thrOnged with people re-
turning home after the days labor.
And as some turned toward the park, |
seated myself on one Of the many seats
to study few Of the eyes Of the many
plssers.
A group Of boys passed, mere child
rem. They merrily swung their baskets
a. they discussed various boyish sports.
| looked into the first little fellow 5
eyes. They were bonnie blue eyes,
running over with fun and mischief.
| They seem to say, I'm honest, and
up. above board / wouldn't do any.
| thing that WASH square /; | wouldn't be
so mean THE next boy had large dark
sad eyes, and the thought came TO me
that he was not strong, and perhaps
| suffered sometimes. The third one
cast his eyes on the ground when he
caught my eyes. so couldn's see what
bis eyes were like. Was there some.
thing he did not wish me to see: Then
a group Of merry girls passed. busily
chatting over the great things they
would do with their hard earned money.
| looked into the eyes Of the two first.
There was nothing to hide. they were
bright, sunny, brave eyes. trying to
help those at home. and proud to be
le to do so; they smiled back into
mine as looked.
But here comes an older woman up the
hill what do her eyes say They are
tired. weary eyes sad and disssppoint-
ed eyes. As they glance drearily into
mine, then turn slowly away, seemily
to say, life is dresry and often hard
20 bear. l tried to smile and look glad
as looked into those eyes, aud felt the
impulse to follow and say. "Oh life is
good and bright as God gives it, Look
on the other side Of things We so Of
ten make our own darkness and trouble
Things may be hard to bear. bat if we
are brave in the bearing and do the
best we can. God makes them easy" "
And now hear another step up the
hill a weak, faltering step, and the
thump Of a cane. An old man toillDg
up the hill he was slightly bent, and
leaned on his cane, as he reached the
top, he paused to rest, and slowly
turned and looked down on the CITY
then across the river at the SUNSET sky
and then his eyes met mine. l seem
ed to see through them the soul, grow
ing weary with the long life's journey
and feeling the loneliness Of it. as II
drew neal the end, most Of the old
friends and loved one gone on before,
and those remaining sadly changed.
Tnen his longing gaze at the sun sci
sky, had told me of the home sicknes:
for taat bright home with the dear
ones long lost Sorrow fell on me-oIt
age is so pitiful The thought arose in
me, Fear not, though we all dread
to cross the dark river still the love
and happiness on the other side are
forever For after the night is passed
then comes the glorious morning o.
Eternity /"