The Delaware register, or, Farmers', manufacturers' & mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1829, 1829-02-21

My history is simple-but could record my count
less tears, the example would not pass away uneeded
My parents in the middle station of life, and a
an early age | was married to person in similar
rank of society. We lived contented, and therefore
happy. Our residence was in large town in ives
tern country from whence my husband was accidentally
called to transact some business which detained him
some months from home. lie LETT me the mother Of
healthy boy he found me--but the fearful word
will come soon enough. To begue the weary mo-
ments of my husbands absence, was induced at In
ervas to mngle with society, and this led me from
my home. had, perhaps, been allowed too much III
diligence by my parents, who accustomed me TO CON
tnual gaieties, so that solitude came upon me as a
fearful blank, as a melancholy One dreadful night
the memory will never lose its deep intensity
had undressed my smiling boy, then about three years
old he took his farewell of after had joined his
tiny hands in prayer, and then left him to enjoy that
peaceful repose which hoped would his health
and vigor. Happy the afuent their tender nuis-
ngs are fostered by care and shielded by studied at
tention. But this not to be my blessed lot, nol
that of my darling boy; yet was he as beauteous as
the richest and the proudest OF them a and his ca
resses to me dear as if he had been arrayed
in the splendid robes of opulence. | was living in
lodgings, and my only two apartments communicated
by door which generally remained open. When
left my child that night, sleeping with his face pillow
ed upon his downy arm, had no intention OF going
beyond the next room, where sat down, and imagi-
nation soon brought to my mind the galetles OF my
youth, and my loneliness became irksome. AT this
time thoughtless companion called, and wished me
to accompany her to card party. | went the cheer
fulness of the assemblage induced me to prolong my
absence, and hours passed by Undecided AT length a
returning sense of duty called me home. had relied
upon the generally sound sumbeis of my child, and
imagined should find him asleep, as had done when
| had previously INDUCED in the fatal practice. l
found the inmates of the house where lodged in a
state of confuson--some horrid words caught my
ear as rushed aong--the door of my apartment was
broken open, and my boy--my rosy cherub-lay there
a blackened and dsfgured sufferer His pain was
too intense for the usual cries of infancy but in their
stead he uttered a pluintve continued moan, every
tone of which echoed the dying peal of my happiness
was frantic with grief but my availed not.
watered his wounds with my tears. would have given
words would have barered every hope of Joy to hear
the slightest word of endearment from his swollen lips
but he never spoke agan And in that moment when the
last sigh of dissovng heaved on his lips he
ed his glazing eyes upon me, and in piercing look
through which beamed thenelligence of superior be-
ing, me- yes the darling babe of my bosom
reproached me for my cruelty. That look has haunt
ed me ever since, and now it glares upon mel
must pause. ******* A few more tears have shed
to thy memory, my child would fain complete my
sorowuI task, and not permit vain regrets to be the
only fruit of my penitence. The fearful tale of my
boys accident was rudey told by the unfeeling
witnesses of my agony. He had awakened. and, on
my not replying to his calls had wandered into the
sitting room, where by some accident, which must ev-
er remain mystery the fire caught his night clothes