American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-10-08

than before and pale as their sweet lace
had seemed when they used to dress IN white, thel
seemed even paer now CoBtrasted with their blacl
mourning garments They received the visits o
their few dear friends with the warmest gratitude
and those OF ordinary condolement with placit
content; they did not appear weared of this world
but resigned to leave it smiles and the pressure
ahectiunate hands were still dear to them; and, i
they kept themselves apart from society, il was no
because they could not sympahze with its hilarity
its amusements and is mi tn, but because they
warned by feelings close upon their brain anc
heart, that they were doomed soon 10 lay theiI
heads down into the dust.
Some visitors, On first entering their parlor, in
which every thing was still elegantly and grace
fully arranged as ever. wondered why the lair sis
tiers should SO seldom be seen out OF their own
dwelling but no one, the most thoughtless
and unfeeling, ever left them without Tar different
thoughts. or without sorrowtul conviction that
they were passing in perfect resgnatlon the re-
inalnder of their life which, in their hearts,
they knew 10 be small. So, week alter week, visits
Of idle ceremony were discontinued, and none now
came to Calder Cottage except those who had been
dear to their dead mother, and were dear, even for
that reason, had thee been other, TO the dying
orphans.
hey sat in their beauty within the shadow oil
death. But happiness not therefore excluded
from Calder Cottage II was even sublime salts
faction to know that God was to call them away
from their mortal beng unseve, ed and that willie
they all there knelt in prayer, il was not for the
sake Of one only who was to leave the survivors in
tea"s, hut for emselses that they were mutually
beseechng God that he would be pleased TO smooth
the path by which hey were walking hand in hand
to the grave When the sun shore they still con-
rtnutd to wander along the shaded banks of their
beloved Calder, and admire its quiet Junction with
the wide flowing Clyje.-They did not neglect
their ilower-garden although they well knew that
their eyes no, to be gladdened by the blossoms
OF another spring. They strewed, as before crumb
TOR the small birds that had built their nests amcng
the roses and honeysuckles on their cottage. They
kept the weeds from overgTowng the walks thai
were soon to be trodden by their feet more; and
they die not turn their eyes away from the shoot
ing flowers, which they knew took another spring
10 bring them TO maturity, and W uld be disclosnr
their fragrant beauty in the sunshine that shoDe oil
their own graves Nor did their higher cares lose
any OF the interest or the charm, which they had
possessed during their years of health and hope.
The old people whom their charity supported we
received with as kind smiles ever when they
came to receive their weekly dole. The children
whom they clothed and to school net with the
same sweet voices as BEFORE when on the Saturday
evening they visited the ladies of Calder Cottage
and the innocent mirth of all abou the house, tn.
ga den, the fields, orthe ad Jacen huts, seemed to
f'SaSNh'
teddy upon them from happy persons engrossedl
with their own Joys, and unaware that the sound of
their pastlnles had reached those whose own earth
ly enJoyI&nts were so near close.
These were the last lingering shadows, and
sounds, and olours oil life; and the time had not
yet come upon either Of these orphans. when they
could no. be enjoyed But they had other conf
forts; and If II had been ever most deie htful to
them TO read and study the we'd OF God when they
he hotv hp;,r |
dewy light OF health ye undecayed. it was now
moe than delightful. it was blessed, to peruse uI
now together when they had to give the bible by Il
iurns to each others hands. that their eye SIGH
might not ct dim, nor their voices faulter which |
would have been, had the same dying chris ian read
aloud one chapter to the end.-W When the old mi.
mister visited them, he found them always cheerful
and composed; during his stay, they were even
joyful IN their resignation and at parting, if tears
were ever shed, It was by the aged for the younpl
VINO wept not for themselves, except when the v |
thought how that benign old man had stood bv their
mothers death bed and when she had lost her ut |
tsrance, let her spirit ascend upon mis- prayers to
heaven. |
Caroline was the first to die. Her character
nuke that OF both her sisters, had been distinguish
ed by great spirit and vivacity. and when they we're
present, had always diffused something of its OWL
glad light over the serene composure of the one
aud the melancholy stiffness OF the other without
seeming even to be nconsIste Mt with them; nor did
ner natural and irrepressible buoyancy altogether
iorsake her even to The very last With her the I
disease assumed its most beautiful show Her light I
blue eyes sparkled with astonishing brilancy her
Cheeks that had always hitherto been PALE gowed
with rose-llke lustre; although she knew that she
was dying, and strove to subdue her soul down to
her neal fate yet, IN spite Of herself the strange
lire that glowed in the embers of her heart kind
Fed it often into kind of airy gladness, so that
stranger would have thought her one on whom
opening existence was just revealing the treasures
oil its joy, and who was eager to unfold her wings,
and sail on in the calm ard sunny future Her soul,
Sill uitIhin fun LII H..