Star Of The Kanawha Valley

Upon the monument erected to the memory of Hon. C. G. Atherton, of New Hampshire, is the following inscription:--"This I expected, but 'tis too soon." How sad a reflection and how expressive of weakness!--Too soon is the last expression of all things human and earthly. When the smiling flowers deck the landscape with their gayest dress, the frost too soon nips their tender lives. When the merry sleigh-bells jingle, and when "at home," "compliments" and "will be happy" fly about, thick as snow-flakes, the spring with its "merry, merry sunshine," too soon ends the frolic. When old age, with tottering steps and silvery hair, droops like a withered leaf, it is yet too soon. When the middle-aged, with elastic step and manly air, confronts the rough world, then falls into the grave like blasted fruit, his wife and little ones in bitter anguish cry, "'Tis too soon." When the infant, a frail blossom that bloomed upon the verge of the grave, has been garnered to its kingdom, the stricken parent in humility bows to the affliction, but writes upon his memory, 'he died too soon?' Too late we discover the deception which 'too soon' makes grief doubly sorrowful.