Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/55

 "GOLDEN DAYS." ' 41

Hesolved, That this Board tendei's its heartfelt sympathy to his widow in her great sorrow, and earnestly eaininends her to Him. who has promised to be *" a very present help in time of trouble.""

Resolved, That thi^ secretary fiirnisii to Mrs. M irshall, an 1 to each of the daily papers publislied in this city, a copy of these resolutions.

��''GOLDEN DAYSr

��BY ARTHUR STACY.

Ch, those days of our youth, when happy and free,

When cares were unknown to you and to me!

When earth seemed a play-house, so great and so grand.

With all that it held made pleasant and briglit; When we'd nothing to do but reach fortii our hand.

And gather the harvest that came to delight; How oft we recall, in the world's busj^ maze. The bright, happy hours of youth's "golden days!"

The aged man turns with the keenest of joy

To think of the pleasures that came when a boy.

'Tis far, far away,— such a long line of j^ears,—

Since youth and its happiness gladdened his heart; And yet fresh as ever that time now appears.

Awaking dear mem'ries, that ne'er wdl depart; While the long and sad years he since has passed through Make dearer than ever the days that he knew!

The sports he engaged in, the contests he won. The many long rambles with rod and with gun. The longing to haste from the world"s busy scene

To find a retreat in some fresh, shady nook, To follow the game in the forest so green.

Or capture the trout in the clear, sparkling brook, — These scenes are as clear as though but a day Had sped on its course since youtli passed away!

When tired of roaming, what joy to repose Where all that is fairest in nature's home grows! What pleasure, as on the green carpet you lie.

To hear the birds sing you a song from the trees. To watch the white clouds as they sail through the sky,

Oft changing their fomn as they Hy with the breeze! In nioments like these all around you seems fair, And the soul has no place for trouble or care.

The man who is striving so fiercely for wealth

Oft thinks of the daj^s that brought pleasure and health;

And even the one who has gained a proud name.

Whose honor and greatness have often been sung, Will turn from the thoughts of his glory and fame

To think of the hours that visit the young; And, weary of honor and vain worldly praise. He longs for the freedom of youth's "golden days."

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