The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-07-13

Harold:
II am not now that which I have been
and my visions fit less palpably before
me. and the glow that in my spirit dwelt
is flutterng faint and low"
But I will not say farewell to my read
ers. / can still feed on the happiness OF
those around me and rejoice with the
children and the birds and the flowers.
Every day l visit the garden and gather
flowers for the neighbors, the sick and
the bereaved. They are treasures or de-
light and of love and every household can
have them If there is mother or
daughter there, and yet there are faml-
lies who have none and care for none
not even a vine over the door or a gate to
the front yard. Would a young man be
fool enough to marry a girl who was not
fond of flowers? The Bible tells of dia-
monds and pearls and precious stones,
but there is no comparison so beautliul
as those concerning flowers. Il am the
rose of Sharon and the lily Of the valley
Consider tho lilies, how they grow.
They toll not, neither do they spin, ana
yet Solomon in all his glory was not ar
rayed like one of these" Solomon had
them sculptured In the marble affairs of
his temple. There Is nothing In all ma
ture so varied in it's uses. Their beauty
and fragrance are q pleasure and com
fort to our hearts best and purest emo
tons.
Bring flowers. bring flowers for the bride
to wear.
They were born to blush In her shining
hair,
Bring flowers, fresh flowers Ger the bier
to shed,
A crown for the brow OF the early dead,
They smile In vain for what once was
ours,
They are loves last gift. bring flowers.
pale flowers.
They speak of hope to the falnuhs
heart,
With voice of promise they come ana
part"
Almost every day we cut fresh mowers
for the grave yet green under the sod
that covers the maiden daughter of
friends dear to us and whose hearts Will
not heal until time and trust shall heal
them.
'She has gone from their gaze like a
beautiful dream.
Today is one Of no small importance
to our community. It Is the day fixed FOR
tho formal opening and dedication OF
our public library. II is wonderful what
these ladies have accomplished in this
little town. Two years ago they organ
lied a little library club which included
village Improvement and now they nave
a pretty park with graveled walks anu
a fountain OF gold fish and they rented
a room upstairs and began to solicit
money from the good people Wherewlth
to buy books and then they begged
beautiful corner lot from the city fathers
and have built a twostory brick build
ing upon it and equipped 1t with shelves
and tables and other conyenlences and
everybody Is proud of it. And one eve
ming Mr. and Mrs Granger. who are al
WAYS doing something for the education
and refinement of our humble people,
gave q reception to everybody and no
body knew what it was for, but when
everybod was feeling good and generous
Mr. Granger handed an open book and
called generous friend to head a sub
scription for the library, and he did so
with a hundred dollars and others came
UP and were liberal and the building
was nearly paid for that night. I see
that Valdosta has done the same thing,
and two generous people Aave subscribed
liberal sum for backs for children.
Yes, especially for children and young
people. That is right. and l hope they
will have Georgia Scenes and Uncle
Remus" and the young Marooners" and
Arabian Nights" and mix them up with
some more solid reading. Young people
must have mixed food to make 1t af
digest. Just think Of it, the young
Marooners" has been published in seven
different Languages, and / expect "Uncle
Remus' in as many more. Rev. Frank
Goulding was a wonderful man. went
to school with his brothers, Ed and
IA
er's adopted mother, as will be found
In my last book. Prom the Uncivil War
to Date" 1861 1903. Those who want this
book should apply to Mr. c. F. Byrd,
The publisher, Atlanta, Ga. If an auto
graph copy is wanted send $l.35 to me-
These Gouldings were 4 notable family.
Rev. Thomas Gouding. the father of
these boys, was the first Presbyterian
preacher born in the state. He was in
charge Of the first theological seminary
and president of Oglethorpe university.
The old doctor was a very learned and a
very stern old man. He was orthodox to
the core. | remember that when | was 4
young man | went with my father TO Co
lumbus, Ga, to attend synod for my
father was an elder A school teacher
from our town. whose name was Gray a
smart but willful Irishman, from Dublin,
was Gxdm1ned Tor license TO preach. lie
stood very satisfactory examination
and had a favorable report from the
committee. The old doctor leaned forward
and said: Brother Gray, 1 will ask you
: one more question. Do you feel called
upon in your heart to preach the gospel
to save sinners"
Yes" said Gray. eff they pay me for
it."
Brother Gray" said the doctor sternly,
'the question of pay Is no part of this
examination nor of your qualifications.
You are excused, sir" And SO Brother
Gray went back to Lawrenceville and
studied law
Frank Gouldng, who wrote The YOUNG
Marooners," also wrote Robert and
Harold" Little Josephine" and MA
rooners' Island" He died in Roswell,
Ga. Now, all such books should be III
the children's department of every IL
brary. They SOW the seed that will bring
fruit in due time. Yes. we are all proud
ladies will be to fill the shelves with Good
books For older heads they have al
ready provided substantial histories ana
cyC,opedias | see they have already Sc
cured a beautiful edition of Dodd, Mead !
& Co.'S last edition of THE Interna-
tlonaI." which is in itself library that
Will educate anybody who will study It,
But / must stop now, for | am weak
and tired, and, as Byron says my VISIONS
fit less palpably before me and the glow
that in my spirit dwelt is fluttering FAINT
11y an