The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-08-28
ARP LOVES FLOWERS.
Thinks Young Men Foolish Who
Marry Girls Who Do Not.
Formal Opening and Dedication of
the Public Library-Some Books
He Hopes Will Have n Place
on Its Shelves.

on Its Shelves.
am not sick-very sick-but | am
tired. feel like Lord Byron did when
he penned his beautiful farewell to
Childe Harold:
81 am not now that which have been
and my visions fit less palpably before
me, and the glow that in my spirit dwelt
is fiuttering faint and low"
But 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 of de-
light and love and every household can
have them if there is mother or
daughter there, and yet there are fami-
lies who have none and care for none,
not even a vine over the door or gate to
the front yard. Would 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 beautiful
as those concerning flowers. Il am the
rose of Sharon and the lily of the val
ley" Consider the lilies, how they
grow. They toll not. neither do they
spinr and yet Solomon In all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these" Sol
onion had them sculptured in the marble
affairs of his temple. There Is nothing
in all nature so varied in its uses. Their
beauty and fragrance are pleasure and
comfort to our hearts best and purest
emotions.
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 fainting heart.
With voice of promise they come and part
Almost every day We cut fresh flowers
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.
s"She has gone from their gaze like
beautiful dream"
To-day is one Of no small Importance
to our community. 1t is the day fixed for
the formal opening and dedication OF
our public library 1t is wonderful what
these ladies have accomplished in this
little town Two years ago they organ
ICED a little library club which included
village Improvement and now they have
pretty park with grayeled walks and
fountain Of gold FISH and they rented
room upstairs and began to solicit
money from the good people wherewith
to buy books and then they begged
beautiful corner lot from the city fathers
and have built D two-story brick build
| ing upon 1t and equipped 1t with shelves
and tables and other conveniences and
everybody is proud OF it. And one even
ways doing something for the education
and refinement of our humble people,
gave a reception to everybody and no
body knew what 1t was for. but when
everybody was feeling good and gener-
GUS Mr.. Granger handed an open book
and called generous friend to head
subscription for the library, and he did
SO with hundred dollars. and others
came up and were liberal. and the build
ing was nearly paid for that night. I see
that valdonia has done the same thing.
and two generous people have sub
scribed liberal sum for books for chill
dren. Yes, especially for children and
young people. That is right. and I hope
they will have Georgia Scenes" and
''Uncle Remus" and the young Maroon
ers" and arabian Nights" and mix
them up with some more solid reading.
Young people must have mixed food to
make 1t all digest. Just think of it. the
"Young Marooners" has been published
in seven different languages, and ex-
| pect Uncle Remus" in as many more.
Rev. Frank Gouldfng was wonderful
| man. went to school with his broth
ers, Ed and John. Their grandmother
was my mothers adopted mother, as
will be found in my last book, From the
| Uncivil War to Date" 1861-1903. Those
who want this book should apply to Mr..
c. p Byrd, the publisher, Atlanta, Ca
II an autograph copy is wanted send
$1.35 to me.
These Gouldings were notable fam
/ lily. Rev. Thomas Goulding. 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 verx learned and a
very stern old man. He was orthodox to
the core. remember that when was
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.
smart but willful Irishman from Dublin,
was examined for license to preach. He
stood very satisfactory examination
and had q favorable report from the
committee. The old doctor leaned for
ward and said: Brother Gray, will
ask you one more question. Do you feel
called upon in your heart to preach the