Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-07-23

LQOuRn LneTe are some events pdlnIu1
to remember, some regrets, some
wrecks of hopes. there are also some
flowers than have bloomed in our
pathway we would never forget and
their fragrance is still ours.
We also meet many new and un-
known faces in every turn of life, and
those we knew as children, in few
years, become actors themselves, play
ing their parts inlthe drama of life,
but of all the changes that come over
Jour dear home land none are more
sad than to find some face beloved
hath vanished from the social hearth,
some tones that gladdened it with
music,s mirth.
Well might we wonder why we are
placed on this little dark planet, to
struggle with sorrow awhile, then
pass away and be forgotten, did not
faith point out to US home in the
skies, an unchanging home, where the
rainbow never fades I thought when
commenced this letter so hurriedly,
that 1t must be brief, but those
thoughts come to me as fast as can
pen them down.
settled with my parents in my old
home at Spring Branch, when was
but four years of age and every crack
and crevice In that little old log cabin,
which was built by my father in the
early fifties, are still dear to my heart,
though have just passed my seven
ty-first natal day, and the old tene-
ment has long since passed into decay.
All except an old granary that think
still stands on the old homestead,
which was built by my fathers hands
many years ago.
The dear old home and the still
dearer friends Of my youth, are happy
mementoes, never by me to be forgot
ten, and especially the log cabin home
may find expression In the following
lines:
There's a spot that love, there a
home that prize
Far better than any on earth.
It is bound to my heart by the hottest
ties,
And prize oh! how fondly its worth.
IT'S not beauty nor splendor 'endears
1t to me
oh, no, for its grandeur hath flown.
But It's fondest affection that binds |
me to thee
My old house, my dear happy home.
Oh! home, what dear magic is In that |
sweet sound,
How closely 1t speaks to my heart;
What world OF deep. tenderness in
thee is found,
Oh! who from such treasures could
par;
Could barter the joys OF dear home
of love,
For q path in a strange world unknown
Could seek for vain pleasures and
heartlessly rove
II they knew the real value OF home
Some sigh to be wealthy, some seek to
be great,
Some envy what others can do,
But was content in my lowly estate,
For the hearts all around me were
true,
And ties that were nearest and dearest
to me,
And hearts that were truly mine own.
With fondest affections then bound me
to thee,
MY dear home, my dear happy home.
But must hasten one more thought
and am done for the present. My old
home lies but four short miles from
Manchester near the fish cultural sta
ton, and many friends of my youth
are still sojourners on this stage OF y
life, and many, yes very many Of these
loved voices are silent now as they f
had grown weary with their long pill
grimage along the pathway of life and
among the shadows Of the evening
time, SO they are faded but pleasant
memories now.
We can remember many of the
names and many others whose names
have been lost in the flight of time,
who were conspicuous in the early
social circles Of old Delaware county
But we are all voyagers of life, each
bark love-freighted and each borne
upon the wave is deserving to reach
some land, fruit, or gold, as some
haven of rest.
Slowly it winds its way down the
stream of time till it is lost to the
sight and then it pursues its way,
viewless to our eyes, though more]
real than those vapors that tend to-
ward the sky, or the winds that ira
verse the. earth, and soon the soft
light, that shall battle the soul in its
virgin yisitations, and the messenger
birds that shall hover over, shall be-
token that the land is near, and "All
Is we'll"
Kindly remember me to our friends
Of getty, charity, Circh" fame, to our
W. R. c. girls, also to those dear
friends OF mine whom l dearly love, !
the, Catholic ladies and others in y
whom have always taken a great in ]
.erest 4
l must write to Mary Link, Emma s
Hutchinson, Mrs. Crosby, all Of whom l
have the greatest respect for, and do a
lot forget, dear girl, to tell me ALI 9
he news. I;
Sincerely and lovingly your friend, :,
Ida M. Elder.
NORTH MANCHESTER.