Clarksville Weekly Chronicle

FROM OAK GROVE, KY.

EDITORS CHRONICLE: I wonder if a "limited few" of your readers don't begin to languish for news from Oak Grove? Or not hearing from us for so long a time have they forgotten its existence? "Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?" Generally those who should be remembered are oftenest forgotten, and vice versa. And now, although it may be that "cruel fate fixes its adamantine grapple on the topmost roofs" of their remembrance, flinging all thoughts of us, as the witch did the tail of Tam O'Shanter's mare, to the four winds of heaven, we deem it our duty as a faithful, though sometimes dilatory chronicler, to dethrone the power of forgetfulness by an occasional reminder.

Notwithstanding the drouth, Oak Grove still survives flourishingly. The crops have suffered a good deal, but considering the scarcity of rain are looking remarkably well. A great many of the ponds, cisterns and wells have dried up, and the cry of the temperate men has been for water. In most places there hasn't been even enough water to support the by some highly prized batrachians. It has rained some to-day, and the clouds promise more to-night. Haven't heard of the tobacco worms committing any serious depredations lately—consequence of the war waged against them by the grangers.

The neighborhood has been quite gay for the past week or two. Several visitors have agreeably diversified the monotony of our country existence. Among the number are the Misses King, from Clarksville, and Miss Eva Connell, from Memphis, visiting the family of Mr. Jas. Moore: Miss Anna McGuire, of Paducah, to see Miss Annie Radford; Misses Kittie and Ida Hopkins, at Mr. Geo. Royster's, besides others. What a bevy of beautiful young ladies! No wonder some of the young gentlemen seemed to be going wild. No wonder if the gallant swains, charmed with this bright array of beauty, exclaim with Byron:

We gaze and turn away, we know not
Dazzled and drunk with beauty, till the heart
Reels with its own fullness!

Mr. W. B. Radford and lady, of Longview, treated the young people to a most delightful party on Tuesday night of last week. A great many young people from far and near were present, and the company didn't lack in middle-aged persons to give that dignity which is a requisite of all well-regulated social gatherings. A good band of music was in attendance, and about half-past ten Mrs. Radford refreshed the company with one of those exquisite suppers for which she is famous. Miss Annie, the elegant and charming daughter of the host and hostess, surpassed herself as assistant hostess, making her company feel perfectly easy and enjoy themselves generally. The young people have learned to esteem the parties at Longview as the greatest treats of the season, and as Mrs. R. says her parties are on hand at least once a year, we look forward to the party of '78 with gladsome expectancy.

But we are near forgetting that precept which has been given to the world's denizens through many ages; given by different individuals in different words, but still the same: "Trust not the future, time works a delusion E'en in the hearts of the brave and the strong; Scarcely we plan ere death's sable intrusion Severs the threads of hope's bright siren song. Let us not lean on a reed that is hollow: Let us not weave fancy visions to follow: Trust no scheme which the future may swallow Only the present to us doth belong."

We begin to learn it ere youth's bright dream has faded: but alas! so many fail to use that knowledge They are ever forgetting that only the present is open to them; that not even to-morrow they may call their own. Madly they pursue worldly pleasure; pleasure that "Like quicksilver, is bright and coy; We strive to grasp it with our utmost skill, Still it eludes us and it glitters still. If seized at last, compute your mighty gains: What is it but rank poison in your veins?" And yet learn they not wisdom by hard experience? "Hope, like the bird in the story, Flitting from tree to tree, With the talisman's glittering glory," still leads them over the delusive quicksands and marshes of life of which they little reck the fearful danger. How true the sentiment embodied in the stanza from Young's Night Thoughts: O, the dark days of vanity! while here, How tasteless! and how terrible when gone! Gone! they never go; when past they haunt still The spirit walks of every day deceased, And smiles an angel or a fury frowns.

Would that all slumbering souls could be roused from the dreadful coma that envelopes them! Waken and "Earnestly strive their vocation to fill. Strive for the crown which the future may give!" and remember "All may do good if they have but the will.' Now is the accepted time; "To-day if ye will, hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in the day of provocation." Heb. 3 ch 2 v. "Shun delays, they breed remorse; Take thy time while time is lent thee. Creeping snails have weakest force; Fly their fault, lest thou repent thee. Good is best when soonest wrought; Ling'ring labors come to naught. Haste up sail while gale doth last: Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure. Seek not time when time is past; Sober speed is wisdom's leisure. After-wits are dearly bought; Let thy fore-wits be thy thought."

I. D. A.
August 23d, 1877.