Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-12-27
THEN AND NOW
MEDITAFIONs On THE PAST AND
PRESENT az ..RALPH.-
The ssThree score Years and Ten Of a
Braway Handed SON OF Reap
ting Has Reward

ErnwRy Handed Som Of Toll Reap
tins Hss Reward
am sitting here meditating and
looking hack over a stretch Of forty
four wears. When 1 was q stout hrawny
armed Young man of twenty two sum-
mers.
When / launched ont upon this cold
and uncharitable world, without finan-
ces or friends. only accompanied by q
pure girl, of slender build. whom ! had
sworn 10 love and protect. and who
for my sake had left s. comfortable
home. with pleasant surroundings, to
cast the lot with me, a rather way
ward young man. The journey at times
was rugged. i~nterspersed occasionally
with a flower strewn path. We o 3
learned that all was not gold that gilt
tered and all who met MS with a snil-
ing expression Of countenance We're
not true friends. But lovely peace
with q reasonable amoEht of prosperity
has predetermined along the line with
out which none can enjoy life. il il
one of the great essentials here and
hereafter.
Dark clouds would often appear. but
it was q part Of our disposition to
look for the silver lining, which is Of
ten hidden so long from view. though
it may require a vast amount of per-
severance and determination to stem
the current. no matter how high tho
pillows roll. 1t is not the individual
or class who wait for things to take q
turn. who achieve honor and success in
life, bat those who work unremitting-
" for Justice on their W and others
behalf. are'the worlds true b~enefactors,
they are the main STAYS, the sappor-
tors and promoters Of the country's
progress.
But perhaps we are DEPRESSING from
our subject of Now and Then"
1t is in many instances a source Of
pleasure for the mind to wonder back
by imagination and enjoy the pleasant
association the joyful meetings in the
visitation Of genuine friends. the pro-
gress made IN cloud and storm. AS
nothing is so highly appreciated rs
that which has been accumulated BY
unremitting toll accompanied by hard
ships. But q reverse view brings us
with sad hearts. face to face il posi-
BILE. With the SANITY old Minister
who pronounced us nan and wife,
the old gray haired sires who with ex-
tended hands uttered the words with
SO much'feeling II congratulate you. 7
them with the good old minister, have
long since crossed over the river of
death, and are roaming the reward Of
the many good deeds done while here
in the flesh. Our heads have silyered
over, the form is not so erect. vision
became dimmed and the active step
has been reduced to a slow pace. We
are reminded chat we have passed the
Three Score Mile Stone in life. and
were it not for the smiling faces 0
children to cheer US on in lifes path
way, we might prepare to join the asso-
Citations in the unreasonable caravan,
who have bid farewell to all earthly
pleasures and cares, and passed to the
great beyond. failing not when life has
persisted. living still beyond the tomb,
but God holds the swift rolling worlds
in his hand. And see what as yet no
man a understand and that out Of
life here. with its smile and its tesr.
comes forth into light from eternity
planned, the soul Of good cheer. We
will not worry, the end Will appear.
Martinsburg Dec. 16 1902.