Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-04-07

There was, however, another being IN
that house, from whose cheek the roses
were whitening, and every day saw some
Of their bloom depart; but, although
her spirits were wasting like the wan
form she watched with SO intense and abb
sorbing an interest, her assiduities ap-
peared to multiply, as the period APP
preached when he would require them
no more. She glided about him with
noiseless step, like some beautiful spirit
sent to soothe him, in his painful passage
from troublous world and such ofhis
wishes, which she could anticipate, and
there were few which she did not, were
executed with celerity, but in silence,
which indicated heart too full to trust
her tongue.
What was there in that pale cheek
and wasted form, that should have won
the regard Of beauty in her hour Of
bloom Why did she not turn away,
and abandon him to the grave that was
gaping to receive him Ask the quest
ion of Philosophy, and she will search
among her cold maxims, for solution
of the mystery, in vain. Woman's af-
fection is like the ivy; it doth often at
tach itself to the ruin and the cold frost
of neglect, and the bleak storm of adver-
sity, are alike powerless against it; its
verdure is undying-its tenacity invinci-
BILE. Unwearied devotion to the object
which hath once inspired her affection,
is woman's Distinguishing characteristic
property peculiarly her own. Often
times, it is the only gem ofwlich sin has
no plundered her; the lone flower in the
weedy wilderness other mind, that -four
ishes with undyng freshness, though the
virtue, which should have consecrated
it, be wilhcred for ever. But the feel
ings which Mary felt for her invalid
guest were consecrated by the most ex-
alted virtue they were pure, because
unalloyed with any thing selfish or sor-
did : if, indeed, there were aught ofpass-
ion involved in them, it was SD refined,
and sublimated, that we know il not as
the gross feeling which passes by that
name in the world.
The last visit | paid the invalid, was
the consequence ola summons rreceived
from him; and, on entering The cottage,
! found him reclining on his couch, with
his face towards the window. 1t was
evening, and the rays of the declining
sun shed their red glare over the apart
ment. He extended towards me, his
pale, thin hand, and feebly pressing
mine, he motioned me to sit down beside
him. 1t was very evident that the hand
of death was strong upon him. But he
hadnot viewed the grim destroyer'S ap-
proach through vista Of unrepented
.rincs, aud, therefore, dreadea not his
presence nay, he hailed him as a mes
senger sent to conduct him to Him, with
whom his prayer had found acceptance,
and who had given him "peace at the
last" After pause, he looked up in
to my face, with faint smile, and said,
"you see, my friend, that the flame,
whose Pickering you have so long watch
ed, is going out at last. You have been
kind, very kind, to me, and have been
with me in the season Of sickness and
sorrow and have sent for you that
you might also be present at the hour in
which pain and sorrow will loose their
hold on me for ever. My journey hath
indeed been a weary one, but the cross
Of my Redeemer hath been my staff and
stay and now l 60 to his bosom -
Mary Wilding, who had been prev
iously summoned, now entered the room.
| looked at her, and perceived that she
was enduring violent struggle, in the
attempt to redress her feelings; VIII ether
from fear of disturbing the few no
ments which was left to him, or from
conviction that their relative situations
rendered indecorous any expressions of
inordinate grief on her part, | know not.
He beckoned her to his side, and stretch
ing forth hShand, said feebly, but dis
tinctly, farewell, Mary may God, in
his abundant mercy, reward you for the
unwearied kindness and care with which
you have administered to the wants of
sick, and, fear, an impatient man."
Mary spoke not a word +; she took his
hand, and kneelng down, pressed it to
her lips; then, drawing deep inspira
ton, she uttered half sti1ed groan, and