Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-05-11

(lAD permitted TO allow
LIZ his thoughts to
wander back through those happy
days Of childhood, which in reality are
the happiest and should be ever cher
ished IN the heart Of every one. This
awful struggle which seems to de-
mand q mans attention from his
arrival ct bis majority up to the very
brink Of his exit into eternity iS 90
hlled with q determined search for the
necessaries Of his and his loved ones
existence, that even to set apart a sea-
SON to mentally recall the days Of
childhood, seemed impossible, much
less to retrace those early steps and
again enjoy the beauties be then so
much adored.
The senior editor Of this paper devil
ated from this general rule ID the
waning hours Of the last month and
made a flying visit to Frederick, nli-
nois, a small, but hardy little town
situated on the Illinois river about 100
miles above st. Louis. Without no.
tice to any one he wished to see, be
stepped of the train and asked il
there was a gentleman named H. M.
Deane still proprietor OF the hotel
there, to be informed that Mr.. Deane
had retired from the hotel business
two years ago, but he was still an
honored resident Of the little city, and
was told where he could be found
at his law Office. It had been thirty
six years since the writer had visited
the little city. and that long since he
had seen or heard from any Of the old
cherished friends Of boyhood days.
1t lie needless to say that when our old
benefactor, Mr.. Deane, at whose home
we had lived like a son, when 3 school
boy, and enjoyed his kindliest offices
as we'll as those Of his estimable and
lovely young wife, now two years
deceased, was appraised Of nj identi-
ty, there was a reunion worthy Of
the name. As we remembered him,
an erect, young man in his vigor, now
past seventy with white locks and
beard, yet he seemed to spring back
over the thirty six years last past and
became again Hud Desne. But now
a such q meeting and a visit of a
few hours be described? Suffice to
say that it stands forth one Of the
most pleasant fitting moments Of a
life filed with some sunshine, some
care, some disappointments.
But, If there be those who have not
tried the experiment OF returning
afterthe silver threads begun to min
gle with the auburn locks of youth, to
the haunts where childhood's sunny
smiles greet them in the long ago, our
word for 1t is well worth the time and
expsnse of doing 30.
On the morning after arriving, when
the birds began to sing as only the
birds Of that locality can sing, and the
mellow dawn peeped over the eastern
hills. to steal out Of bed before the
house was astir and wander out
through the loved kissed hill tops amid
scenes which brOugh afresh memories
so dear, was an inspiration long to be
remembered, and not to be passed by
u~nimprOved. Why, the very sir was
laden withperfumes from the gardens,
rare as the maiden bushes of the long
ago; the trees, just putting on their
happy greetings, the ripple Of the
sparkling waters coursing their way
between the hills along the pebbly
brook to the great navigable steam
now swollen and. majestic. chanted
music sweeter than all the harps we
hope to find on the other side Of that
other dark river yet ~uncrossed, and all
nature smiled, as we bid it good morn.
ing and the mind returned to muse
with memories Of those days before
sorrow had appeared on earth, or the
stern realities of life had been encoun-
tered. God bless the home Of our
childhood. What son OF man cannot
say as much. But that language must
yet be created which will in the slight
est degree portray the heart beats
Of such an hour, the pent up JOY Of
such a fitting moment.