Year: 1868

Riding to church this morning notice
the signs of Winters near approach. The
leafess trees and ''bare brown felds"--the
grass, in sheltered places, yet retains its
summer hue and contrasts finely with the
rcd and purple leaves of the vines that
have erept among it. The rough old fen
ces are gay with the crimson banners of
many tangled creepcr. Heaped up a.
gainst the hedges, by the winds, are the
dried skeletons of grasses looking, in the
morning sunlight, like soft silvery wreathes
Of mist that might at any moment rise and
disappear.


The church is warm, and we'll lighted
by the brightness without. The golden
sunshine, streaming in through an open
blind, falls across the floor, causing the
bright hues of the carpet to cast a rosy glow
on the marble table with its snowy cloth
and silver communion service, and the
crimson velvet cushion behind which stands
the minister of God. Many listeners,
young and old, homely and fair. The
gray-haired sire and mature matron, with
steady upturned gaze, and drinking in the
"WOrd of Life )" or, with a far-away ab-
sorbed look that denotes a mind filed.
eyen here, with "the cares of this world"
Fhere sits the maiden who is Just crossing
the mystic threshold of womanhood. The
consciousness of life's growing importance
has given force to the step, curve to
the mouth, glow to the cheek, a new
light to the eyes, all unknown before.
oh, sister, woman, pray that the bright
future may, for you, never be dimmed by
sorrow or suffering


Young girls, with faces bright with the
rosy glow Of happy youth. The restless,
rowing glances, the iutter of ribbons and
cqrls, show them anxious to be relieved
from restraint,


A little dog has strayed in and by his
.frolicsome ways excites their mirth. Now
he passes into the pulpit, and stands there
wagging his tail and gazing into the
preachers face with look of silent wonder
in his wide eyes, as if he queried within
himself what all this could mean: then.
as if conscious that all was right, stretched
himself sleepily at the feet of his mistress.


What study of human nature is here
all about me. Yonder is face fnll of
force and ntelligence-clearly cut fea-
lures, resolute mouth, large blue, eyes,
and an abundance of rich auburn hair.
She, too, seems to be studying human ma
ture, for her glance wanders from one to
another Of those around her.


Close beside me is beautiful girl, and
she seems fully conscious of it. The deli
cate complexion, full red lips, sweeping
lashes, and the attractive toilet, make q
pretty picture to gaze upon but there is
no character in that face. 1t is mot one
that would make home happy after time
had dimmed the clearness Of the snowy
skin, and stolen the rose from the cheek
In these does she take most pleasure, and
when they have faded her enjoyment in
life will have fled with them.


What saddens this ones heart that her
eye is downcast, and her check SO pale
All, grieving one, learn


"what pang is permanent with man From the


highest


As from the vilcst thing of every day


lie learns to wean himself for the strong hours
Conquer him.


Now let the gaze wander out OF that
open window. The blue sky is shadowed
by pot single cloud, and the water re-
fleets the heavenly hue, and sparkles in
the genial sunshine. Those branches are
bare of foliage, but there is something
beautiful in their sturdy strength so plain
ly revealed. How clearly are their forms
defined against the wintry sky


Hush! rise and receive the parting
blessing, as solemnly and slowly it comes
from the speakers lips at the sacred desk.


REvERIE.


Summit Bridge, Dec. 1869.