Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1896 — THE OLD HOME. [ARTICLE]

THE OLD HOME.

Well Worth the Recollections of an Occasional Hoar. Boys, do you ever sit down and talk for an hour over the scenes, the adversities and the successes of childhood? Do you ever take time to look back over the hill of life and call up the days of ye olden times when you were at home under the protecting care of a fond father and a devoted mother? Do the early days, spent possibly in a pioneer home, ever occur to you as the happiest home of your eventful life? These questions are for the “Old Boys,” those who have passed the meridian of life and now on the down slope, as it were, nnd who, from natural causes will soon pass Into the unknown beyond, where they are to enjoy the rewards that come of a well directed life. Boys, think of the old home where were father and mother and the charming sisters and brothers whose whole aim was to keep home hnppy nnd make life a pleasure rather than a burden. You remember father’s corner behind the great fire-place, do you not? See him as he sits and nods In the twilight of the dim fire and dreams of the days when his boys will be Senators and not have to stand the bitter trials of the dark forest or the treeless prairies. Perchance he has toiled all day In the clearing vigorously battling with nature for the ascendency of the arts of man. He did these things you know and all for you, too. Ilis trials were bitter. His alms were noble. His obect was happiness prompted by a motive of love. • The home was crude as compared with the gorgeous palaces of these days. But joy was there because father was, and love because mother was. Yes, see her as she sits at her work over in the other corner. She Is the perfect embodiment of happiness. Her boys and girls are all at home. They are yet in their innocency and she knows their every thought and observes with pride their every act. Father and mother, brothers and sisters. The Old Home. What depths of meaning lie in those words. There is comfort in them. They recall all that builded up into noble men whose lives are an honor to the hearth made happy by our presence. They recall the innocent prattle of younger brothers and sisters and the kindly directed efforts of the seniors to secure the joy and peace that comes from the fraternity of home with its bonds of affection. The dim old forest and the wide expanding prairie are there, too. The low murmuring rill with its beautiful song is there. What is not there? We were all there when we were young, tut now we are old nnd all that we can do Is to recall, recall, recall. Do this, boys, arid see if you do not appreciate more fully all that you are and have. It Is but just that you.should affectionately look upon the past.