American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-05-22
Volume vi.

time as averse to be atone, as he had previously
dlsliked society even now he preferred his own
little daughter to any other person To his dis.
eased Imagination. apparently disturbed BY super
sttious terrors the child appeared kind of guar
dian angel, whose protecting presence secured
INN from the evils OF apprehension and the appaL-
ling sense Of fearful solitude. The closing OF
door in haste. the creakng of the sign post. and
more especially the sound of wheels his
house, narrowed up his soul, as if with fearful Vi
sions and terrible alarms.
| 1t was ptiable but interesting spectacle to see
this man, i'll the very prime of his life. wasted to
shadow, and bending with the tremors Of prema-
ture old age, walk out leaning on the shoulder If
a child of seven wears old. To this child early sor-
row had given premature powers of thought. which
were united with uncommon beauty, and that sim
plicity of manner incident to her situation, She
watched every turn of her fathers sunken eve,
and never did it glance on flower she did not
gather, Or plant on which little Mary did not
make observation. Ii bee heard to
hum in the young blossoms, she would repeat her
hymn of " The little busy bee, relate the story Of
every fable she remembered IN her spelling book,
and WOO him with thousand endear'nents ~ ask
her the questions Of the catechsni A. other
times, she would lead him 10 his aithered
myrtles, and his broken gates, and payiplly chile
his neglect, then spring forward to show where the
grass was most promising, and prophesy fine hay-
time. When every effort failed to rouse attention
and elicit pleasure. she would throw her arms
around his neck. kiss his pale forehead. and "a the
tears streamed down her rosy cheeks, eXclan,,
+. Have you not one word for poor little Maryr''
Sundays were now especial days of sorrow fol
both Mary and her distressed mother, who conside
cred it her duty to send her daughter t. church,
about mile distant; and the child grieved that
neither parent could 90 the good place, aud ask
ed God to comfort them. One Sabbath morning in
the beginning of May, the father was become so
weak that he tainted whilst dressing, On which ac-
count Mary remained at home to nurse and amuse
him. During the time she sat with him. the often
repeated words, i" WISH" again passed his lips,
and the quick ear of infancy. now excited by unu-
sua anxiety, thought in the mnrnured sounds
which followed. he said. g wish--l were hang
e, - and in great horror Mary cried out. {. On
father, father! you are wicked-you Tighten me-"
The wretched man bu, st into tears, and wept
abundantly, rs one bowed down by new sorrow.
Often did he clasp his hands, and appai ently tried
to beg blessing on the head of the Child vino had
innocently reproved and deeply wounded him. but
as often did he interrupt himself, as if scorning
his own efforts and finally he put her from his
chair, and covered his face, as if afflicted with
shame not less than sorrow.
Mary was grieved to the heart to see him suffer
thus but she conceived it her duty to elieyc this
burst of sorrow as she had tried to do often before,
| by dvertng his attention, and therefore went
| to the window to make observations, and said to
| her mother who was eRterng the room. =" | see
all the people who are coming from chutch-there
is very pretty carriage with two gentlemen in it,
and they both look out at the window toward our
house." .It is the Rector of - ana his
Curate who have been doing duty at our church:
lie was there last year at this time" answered the
mother mechanically. -" remember him. and
love him. replied Mary, "because he said father
did right not to give Anak Osbourne any more
liquor.'
6 Don't speak Of poor old Anak, child" said
the mother; 50 is twelve month this very MORN
ing since rose from my bed to see his dead body
brought in. James Green is below, and has just
reminded me Of it,"
"James Green is fool, wretch, my worst en-
emy ~ cried the sick man, with an energy and
strength that made his hearers start with astohish-
ment; but in another moment he sunk back in his
chair, shaking in every limb. Cold drops ofsweat
hung on his brow; his strained eyes seemed gazing
on vacancy with terror indescribable; his hands
were cenched, and his lips quivered with convul-
sive motion, as il from pangs amounting to agony.
The wife, believing him seized with death itself,
dropped on her knees before him, and with inarti-
cu!ate sounds and signs that spoke the intensity vt
her gr,ef and pity, tried to pray tor his departing
snirit: hut in a moment she found he had taxi.
Ell hold OF her ciaspe' hands, and was drawing her
toward him.
Mary. nv beloved Mary, the time is come -
Thou shalt know all. Send This moment for the
Rector; you know he is justice Of the peace.
he only is the right sort Of minisfcrtor me Oh:
send for him instantly" The wife, bewilderet
with terror and distress, gazed on him earnestly,
in the persuasion that the madness Q! which her
ueiqhbars had 50 often hinted, had now really ar
rived but she listened in vain for the rawlings of
delirium. With all the little strength that remain
ed in him. but in few words, the unhappy man con-
tinuel to urge her to send Tor the Rector, as con-
stan,ly repeating. g becaase he is justice Of the
neAce.N