Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1882 — REGRET. [ARTICLE]

REGRET.

Ah, how sad and vain a thing is regret, when, too late, some past wrongdoing will burden the memory, and the bitter truth we tried to veil, even from our •wn hearts, is revealed in all its undisguise. Who has not to repent some slight, thoughtless omission of kindness toward those they love ? Perhaps ’twas only an unanswered letter ; but the days went by, and matters of more pressing importance crowded out that trifle, or, in gathering the gay summer’s blossoms, one poor little faded floweret was flung aside unregarded. “ And I never wrote again!” will be the reflection, should death clasp your friend’s warm hand within his icy grasp; and you read again that neglected letter, and every kindly word will breathe a silent yet a keen reproach. But what even is that regret to the anguish of having parted from a friend—perhaps our best beloved—with unkind and cruel words ? It may have been those words were uttered carelessly, lightly, as the wild and wanton breeze sweeps by; but they leave a pain, as the breeze left some scattered rose-leaves to mark its track. Or it may have been they were purposely spoken, prompted by pride, and passion, and imagined wrong. Such has been an episode in many a life. The cause we know not, any more than that of the little fragment from which we quote, whose actors and whose story are alike unknown. But what a fitting place and time was that for such a parting! By the seething main, * While the dark wrack drives overhead. ♦ And one is drifted out into the mist and storm—the other, left to mourn the embittered past, pleading from the far spirit-land for that forgiveness earth cannot acoord. Politeness costs nothing, and that is me reason why so many people bestow milling else on their chance acquaintances. Teacher : “ What are the principal races of men# ” Smart boy at the foot of the class : “Go as you please, mum." It was Pope who said : “An obstin* ate man does not hold opinions. He i a field by them.” A Connecticut woman presented her son with a bed quilt made of hair cut from her own head. It will go down to posterity an a family heirloom. The Carson Appeal solemnly affirmthat a Nevada florist has a sunflow, i which is fifteen inches in dianioter, or nearly four feet in circumference. Detroit has fifty-five William and only forty-nine John Smiths.