The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-20
"THE OLD FAMILIAR FACES,

There is a sadness in the mere title Of
Charles Lambs well-known poem. a sad
ness that is intensified by the added words
in the closing line of each stanza:
"All, all are gone, the old familiar faces"
The poem means more to us as the years
go on and we miss the faces we knew when
we were children; the faces which always
smiled at us; honest faces and true, which
we trusted without knowing why. The
poem means more to us when we remember
certain homes to which, as children, we
loved to go, not only because of the cookies
in the cupboard, but because of the well
coming face at the door. We outgrow our
childish love for goodies, but we retain
the desire to be welcomed.
The home of Mrs. Harriet Barbour was
always open to her friends, friends young
and DID, The house where she lived for
many years, on West street near Vermont,
had an air about it of genuine hospitality.
its rooms were always in beautiful order,
its meals were punctually and perfectly
served, and you were always urged to stay.
Countless people have enjoyed the cheer of
the well-lighted dining room, and can never
forget its dainty, old-fashioned appoint
ments, nor the cordial voice of its mistress.
Looking back on long period Of friendship
with Mrs. Barbour. remembering her many
noble qualities, the characteristic which
seems strongest was that of common sense
She was pre-eminently practical. She had
a head for business and a hand for work
She neither said did foolish things.
She had deep scorn for pretentiousness,
and abhorred laziness- She was unselfish
She had burdens and sorrows, but her clos
est friends were not troubled by them. She
told her joys; her trials she kept to herself.
She had a certain integrity of mind and
soul, and uprightness of character that
would never stoop. She would not have done
a weak thing, nor would she have condoned
a wicked one. She was fearless in express
ing her views at the same time her judy
ments were kindly. She was not demon
Strative. She made no exhibition of affec-
tion but her friends were never in doubt
concerning her regard for them. She was
a Christian in the true sense of the term,
itself in her fortitude of spirit, in her brave
resistance 10 what might have crushed a
weaker woman.
For she had studied patience in the school
or Christ: much comfort she had thence
And was a follower of the Nazarene.
To-day at the age OF ninety-one she
sleeps. our good old friend Mrs Barbour
Perhaps none of US would choose to live so
long. Dean Swift said: Every man would
live long, but no man would be old"
Browning put IL better when he wrote:
'Grow old along with me,
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was
made;
Our times are in His hand
Who saith. a whole / planned,
Youth shows but half: trust God:
See all. nor be afraidi'
II is strange how we recognize the truth
of things and at the same time feel the
strong human regret. Theoretically End
philosophically we accept Browning's creed.
yet when old age touches our friends il
saddens US. The finger may touch gently.
but IL is icy and it means separa ton None
of US thinks as calmly as he should nor
bears so bravely as he ought, the less CT
1.-THE old familiar faces" NJ w ID