The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-07-16
A Drama Of Fifty Years.

CThe following prose poem was writ
ten by Charles W. Tillett, of Charlotte,
on the occasion OF the Golden Anniyer-
sary OF the wedding of Capt. John
Wilkes and wife about four years ago.
1t was. not published at the time 1t was
written and was given to the press after
the death of Capt. Wilkes, which oc-
Cured a few days ago at his home in
-Charlotte)
PROLOGUE.
The wedding bells are ringingl The
golden wedding bells! And from their
tones, so musical and sweet. mystic
spell is weaved The wizard>Qf the past
comes forth. He waves golden wand,
and in five scenes the drama shows OF
two score years and ten.
The curtain rises and a bride appears
of gentle birth, of graceful mould. and
through her joy-lit eyes, as windows OF
the soul, a heart is seen, filled full OF
purest love and high and holy purposes.
She leans upon a manly arm. lie stands
with head, not bowed to earth as grow
cling creature of the dust, but lifted up,
as one in Makers image bOrn-tOward
the stars. The man of God is there, clad
spoken and the benediction's said. They
who were twain are now one flesh; and
hand in hand, and heart in heart, go out
together.
A second scene The wife TRANSPORTED
now into divinest form OF wOmanhOOd-
a mother. and she, priestess of the
Lord. in that most sacred temple of the
earth-the home Down to the gates
OF death" she has gone and brought back
to the world her frst-born child. The
father there, his face suffused with JOY
Gus pride; the hopes of years are centred
in the cradle And heart is bound to
heart by tie of flesh and blood-stronger
than chain OF adamant. The sun is
shining, the birds are singing, the flow
ers are blooming.
Again the wand is waved. Gods acre,
and q new made grave, all covered o Ter
with tears and blighted hopes. Two
stand beside the mound with arms en-
twined and heads bowed low, in meek
submission to His will who gave and
took away. The sun is hid, but, from
the darkening cloud, the voice that spoke
into a calm the raging Galileean sea.
speaks to their storm-tOssed souls a
gentle peace, be still!'' The silver cord
of sacred grief now binds them.
The curtain rises yet again. 4 ward
where sick and dying lie, and she, as
mercys angel. goes about and soothes
the aching brow and cools the fevered
| form. None OF the poor are turned
| away-nO race nor color bars suffering
soul from help. In all her ministry Of
love he aids and comforts her. Their
hearts are knit in closer bonds while
| they together strive to take away the
griefs and woes Of other hearts.
| The enchanter lifts the wand once
more The years move by in rapid flight
Children are born and reared. These two
with fervent spirits, daily serve the
| Lord. She busy with the wifely duties
of the home while his time is spent in
honest toll in all the marts of trade
| And still across the stage the decades
pass-sorrows and joys, successes and
reverses follow on, but through it al
the husband and the wife together walk
and closer draw with each advancing
step.
| EPILOGUE.
| The bells have ceased. The wizard O
the past has disappeared. The COLDER
wedding has begun. The hidden guests
have come from far and near; fair womeI
and brave men, the rich. the poor, TIT
aged and the young, pay homage to the
two who stand with children, and witt
children's children, gathered round. Fol
half a hundred years they've kept tn
sacred vows of coDjugal fidelity. NJ
''icicle that's curded by the frost from
purest SHOWS aud hangs on Diana S tenn
pie" famed, more chaste than she. Nc
vestal fires e'er burned more constan
or more pure than glowed his love TO-
her since first his troth he plighted
Kind friends ficb offerings bring mos
highly priced; yet sweeterfar to then
or myrrh, the love and gratitude 0
hearts that they have loved and helped
The benedictiOn of the years rests OF
their souls tonight.
VALEDICTION
Another vision is vouchsafed through
faith Valley and Shadow; and be
yond, the Mount of God. whereon tn
Eternal City, builded without hands
whose glorious sights no eye hath seen
whose rapturous sounds no earth hat
heard. Upon the sunset side two stand
the frost of years upon their heads. tn
dew OF youth upon their hearts. The
part; into the valleys dark, throug
waters chill each goes alone, save tina
with each there walks One like unto tn
Son OF Man. They meet beyond tn
Shadow, in the sunless light and han
in hand ascend the Everlasting Hills u
to the Golden Palace of the Most Hig
king-united now. forever!
1S54-19O4.
This is my Wedding Gift.
An Offering OF the Heart.