Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1884 — Good-By. [ARTICLE]

Good-By.

“Farewell, farewell, is a lonely word. And often brings a sigh, But give to me that dearer word That comes from the heart—good-by.” GOOD-BY —IT IS A GODSPEED. There is a hearty shake of the hand, a tremor of feeling in the fjiendly tones, but no hint of parting. They two are friends standing together on the deck of a ship that is outward bound. Both are on a journey—a voyage on unknown seas—the one who goes and the one who stays. Full of life, of hope for the future, there is no hint of sadness in the ringing good-by that seems the announcement of a bond of union rather than of separation, the assurance that come weal or come woe with them it will be well. It is the good-by of victory rather than that of defeat.

GOOD-BY—IT IS AN ADMONITION. The words sav plainly to these lovers: “Be true,” “remember me,” “until we meet again.” They may not salute each other as even strangers may do at parting. They must be oblivious to the ceremonies of even ordinary friendship. Their love is too new and sacred a thing to be brought out to the public gaze. They can only clasp each other’s hands and look into each other’s eyes and stammer one passionate, regretful, longing gjbod-by. “But the heart feels most when the lips move not And the eyes speak the gentle good-by I” GOOD-BY—IT IS A BENEDICTION. An aged couple are parting now. “Oh, when to meet again! ” They do not know that other eyes are upon them. They are alone with each other and God. There is a solemn, tremulous good-by. They have no word to say. Each knows what is in the heart of the other; distance cannot separate those two. “Our hearts ever answered in tune and in time, love. As octave to octave and rhyme unto rhyme, love.” GOOD BY —IT IS A PRAYER. God be with you! The words can have no other meaning for those whom death parts. They all have need of this prayer who are going out into that limitless future where farewells and good-bys are sounds unknown. Fold the pale hands, kiss the sealed lips and the marble brow. It is but one who cries out in passionate, pleading agony: “Good-by.” The voice of the other is mute. Dear traveler to the far-off country, God be with you!— M. Quad.