The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-11-10
ON THE HEIGHTS.
The History of an Afternoon

sends with it an explanatory note, from
which we quote as follows: ''At the time
this article was written-sixteen years
ago-it was intended for publication in
The Journal, but for some reason was
not sent, and has since remained in nv
possession. November second is the an
niversary of the afternoon described and
send the article in memory of one who
was valued friend of our family, and
for many years resident of your city
He has within a short time been called
to the Higher life, beloved by large
circle of friends.' X " *
Portland, Me.
/ ON THE HEIGHTS.
The End of November, 1894, was one of
those glorious days which come to US in
late autumn, as if Nature were striving,
lovingly, to recon :ile one to the fast ap-
preaching season of ice and cold After
a long ascent we arrived at the highest
point of ground in the delightful city of
Belfast.
With this elevation of the body, in our
own experience there comes a CORE
spending one of the spirit, and all de-
! lightful memories come trooping in for
utterance.
Can one ever feel alone in surround
ings like these, when, skies are blue and
the sun shines as it did this day upon the
peaceful waters of the bay, beyond
which lies the vast ocean? After gazing
long and wistfully at this far reaching
landscape, and the ever receding horizon,
feeling that the imprisoned spirit went
out to traverse those far-off spaces, we
found as is often the case in life, that
undiscovered treasures lay around us.
What seemed to be a natural pond lay
at our feet while ducks of plumage with
modest coloring were easily floating up
on its surface, occasionally dipping their
bills in the water then suddenly raising
them, causing the flashing water to
sparkle in the sunlight. Enjoy your
brief hour of comfort, we thought, while
you may, and to the utmost, for at best
your reign is brief Pessimistic as this
may seem it but represents the destiny
OF ali earthly life. That higher forms
may arise it cannot be doubted, but the
particular hopes that we CHERISH the
plans we make, and the joys that we
have held sacred, must inevitably suffer
change and pass away.
But was it to moraliZe or to gain
strength for the contest of self govern
ment that we wandered on this bright
afternoon above the confusions of the
lower life to grow wiser and stronger?
Farther on brook that courses slowly
through the meadow gains an impetus
that suddenly sends it flowing unsteady
across our pathway. And what melody
is sweeter than this that charms the ear
in the running brook?
Better to bark hidden brook
Than watch diamond shine"
The finer natures feel that simplicity
yields the higher enjoyment, and it is
doubly precious because ever abundant.
With heart already attuned in SYM
pathy even the tinkling Of the bells on
the neck of that kindly animal, the COW,
which is heard in the neighboring pas
ture, adds to the chorus of melodious
sounds
In the shortening days of the season
the sunset hour approaches all too rapidly;
but what more delightful in the end than
to view the sun as it sinks below the
horizon and feel that one has seen a
reality and not seeming, as when OBJ
scured by high roofs that aide from us
its actual disappearing.
Occasionally cloud Of pinkish tint
floats across the sky, now deepening
with the shadows, and beyond the bay
the hilltops are crowned with the misty,
violet hue which the artistic eye so loves
to dwell upon. So much has nature
given US to rejoice in during these hours
of uplifted thought. Truly has the
gifted Victor Hugo spoken:
"Fear not, man!
Nature knows the great secret and smiles"
A lingering adieu to all this beauty, a
gradual descent to the lower levels of
life, and walk by the light of the in
creasing harvest moon brings us to that
comfortable resting place, the Crosby
Inn.
BOTH SPEEDY AND EFFECTIVE
This indicates the action of Foley Kidney
IL n D-kkv rAh II