11. There is a little pride, and a great deal more of anxiety, in your
thoughts now, as you look steadfastly into the home blaze, while those
delicate fingers, so tender of your happiness, play with the locks upon
your brow. To struggle with the world,--that is a proud thing; to struggle
alone,--there lies the doubt! Then crowds in swift upon the calm of
boyhood the first anxious thought of youth.
12. The hands of the old clock upon the mantel that ticked off the hours
when Charlie sighed and when Charlie died, draw on toward midnight. The
shadows that the fireflame makes grow dimmer and dimmer. And thus it is,
that Home,--boy home, passes away forever,--like the swaying of a
pendulum,--like the fading of a shadow on the floor.
DEFINITIONS.--l. In-ex'or-a-ble, not to be changed. 4. Wont'ed,
accustomed. Ad-mo-ni'tion (pro. ad-mo'nish'un), counseling against fault
or error. 13. Pon'der-ous, very heavy. Quaint (pro. kwant), odd and
antique. 7. In-cred'i-ble, impossible to be believed. Dot'-ing, loving to
excess. 9. Vague (pro. vag), indefinite. Pre-sumed', pushed upon or
intruded in an impudent manner.
XCVIII. THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS.
Thomas Moore (b. 1779. d. 1852) was born in Dublin, Ireland, and he was
educated at Trinity College in that city. In 1799, he entered the Middle
Temple, London, as a student of law. Soon after the publication of his
first poetical productions, he was sent to Bermuda in an official
capacity.
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