American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-07-26

anu StStcFo, III tiouShtiui tShuSi"SSSf
making them happy indeed while the circle round
the fire is unbroksn, and yet preparing them every
day TO bear the separation when some one or other
is taken slowly or suddenly away Their souls are
not moved by fits starts although, indeed, nature
sometimes will wfestle with necessity and there
is a wise moderation both in the Joy and the grle
OF the intelligent poor, which keeps lasting trouble
away from their earthly lot, and prepares them
silently and unconsciously for Heaven.
"Do you think the child is dying I" said Gilbert
with calm voice to the surgeon who on his wearled
horse, had Just arrived from another sick bed over
the misty range of hills; and had been looking
steadias'y for some minutes or the little patient -
| The humane man knew the family we'll in the
midst Of whom he was standing, * replied, awhile
there is life there is e; but my pretty little
Mar. nrei is ! fear, in the last extremity" There
was no loud lamentatinn at these words-a had
before known, though they would not confess 1t to
themselves what they now were told-and though
the certainty that was in the words of the skiliul
man made their hearts beat for little with sicker
thiobbDgo, madetheir pale faces paler, and brought
i out from some eyes greater gush OF tears, yet
death had been before in this house, and in this
case he came, as he ALWAYS does, in ave. but not in
terror. There were wandering and wavering and
dreamy derious phantasles in the brain of the in
noccnt child; but the few words she indistinc,ly
uttered were affecting rending 10 the heart, for
u was plain. that she thought herself herdng her
sheep in the cen silen, pastures and sitting wrapt
IN her plaid, upon the Town and sunny side of The
Birk knows. She was too much exhausted--there
was too little lite. too little breath in her heart to
frame tune but some OF her words seemed to be
from fasorits old Songs; and at last her mothe,
wcpt, and turned aside her face, when the child,
whose blue eyes shut, and her lips almost still
breathed out these lines OF the beautiful twenty
hrd psalm:
The Lords my shepherd, I'll not want,
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green he eadeth me
The quiet waters by.
| The child was now lett wi h none but her mother
by the bed side, for it wa said to be best so and
Gilbert and his family sat down round the kitchen
lire, for while in silence. about quarter OF an
hour they begal to r-e calmly. and to go each to
his allotted work One Of the daughters went forth
with the pal to milk the and another began to
GU, the table in the middle of the floor for supper
covering it with white cloth. Gilbert viewed the
usual household arrangements with solemn and
untroubled eve and there sinnost the faint light
Of grateful smile on his cheek, as he said to the
worthy surgeon, You will partake of our fare after
your days travel and toll o. humanity IN short
silent half hour, the potat es and oat cakes butter
and milk were on the board and Gilbert, lifting up
his toll hardened, but manly hand with slow motion
a. which the ronm was as hushed as if II had bsen
empty closed his eyes in reverence, ard asked a
blessing There was little STOOL on which no one
sat. by the old mans side lit had been nut there
unwittngy, when The Other seats were al placed in
their usual order, hut the golden head that was wont
to rise 81 that part Of the table was now wan,ng.-
There was silence-not word was sad-their meal
was before them, -God had been thanked, and they
began to eat.
While they were at their silent meal horseman
came ga!oping to the door, and with lnud voice !,
called out that he had been sent express with let
ter to Gilbert Snslle at the same time rudely and
with an OATH demanding dram for his trouble The
oldest SON. lad OF eighteen, fercy seized the bride
OF his horse, and turned his head away from the door
The rider, someWha alarmed a, the flushed face of
the powerful stripping, threw down the letter and
rods oH Gilbert took the letter from his sons hand
casting at the same time, a half upbradne look on
his lace that was returning to its former color 81
feared" said the youth. with tear in his eye
|" feared that the brute's voice, and the tramplinp
OF the horsess feet would have disturbed her -
Gilbert held the letter hssitatngy in his hand as
II afraid, at that moment, TO read it +; at length, he
said aloud to the SURGEON "You know that am Al
poor man, and debt, Justly incurred and nuncuaIlv
paid when due, is no dishonor." Both his handl
and hrs voice shook slightly he spokr but he open
ed The letter from the lawyer, and read IN silence
At this moment his wife came from her chiid's bed
side and looking anxiously at her husband, told him
/" not to mind about the money, that no man, Who'll
knew him would arrest his goods, or put him into
prison Though dear me, it is cruel to be put to it'll
thus when our barn IS dying and when, if so it be
the Lords will, she should have decent burial, |
poor innocent, like them that went before her VI
Gilbert continued reading the letter with face onl
which no emotion could be discovered and them
folding 1t up, he gave it to his wife, told her she
might read il if she chose and then put it into his
desk 10 the room, beside the poor dear BARN. She
took 1t from him, without reading it, crushed it inl
her bosom; for she turned her ear towards her child
and thinking she heard it stir, ran out hastily to its
bedside.
Another hour Of trial past, and the child was still
swimming for lis life. The very dogs knew there