Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-09-04
THE BEREAVED SISTER.

In the spring OF lS2i, contracted an
acquaintance in city Of the South with
a gentleman, who had removed from
England to this country with two small
children, the one boy Of ten. and the
other girl of nine years OF agc.-Thesc
children were the most lovely beings |
ever saw. Their extreme beauty, their
deep and artlcsS affection, and their fire.
qucnt bursts OF childish and innocent
mirth, made them as dear 10 me as if
had been the companion of their infan-
cy. They were happy in each other,
and in the whole world OF life and ma
turc around them. had known the
family but few months, when nv
friend was compelled To- make sudden
and unexpected voyage 10 South Amer
lea. His feelings were embittercd by
the thought of leaving his motheriess
children behind him, and, as was on
the point OF cmbarking for Liverpool, |
promised To take them TO their relations.
My departure was delayed two weeks.
During that period, | lived under the
same roof with the little ones that had
been consigned 10 my charge. For a
few days they were pensiye and made
frequent inquiries for their absent father,
but their sorrows were easily asSuagcd,
and regret for his absence changed into
a pleasant anticipation Of his return
The ordinary SORROWS of childhood are
but dew upouthc eagles plumagc which
ynnishcs NJ the moment, when the proud
l. ths. a..
the first beautiful flashes OF the morning.
The day OF our departure at last arriy =
ed, and We set sail on quiet afternoon
of summer. II was scene of beauty
and my heart huitcred a. wildly and
ioyouSly rs the wing Of young bird IN
sprinItimc. II seemed III truth as d
mans control had stopped with thC
shore, that was rctreating behind US
and lcit the world of waters to givc back
the blue of the upper skies as purely
and peacefully as al the first holy sab
bath of crcai,On.-The distant hills beni
their pale blue tops to the waters. and
~ the grca; sun, like the image Of hi.
Creator. sunk IN the west, successiv,
shadows of gold, aud crimson, and pur
pie. came floating over the waves, like
baFks from fairy land. My younl
companions gllcd on these scene
steadily ard silently, and, when th'
last TINS Of the dim shore were meltin;
into shadow, they took each other
hands. and a few natural tears gushcs
forth a an adiou 10 the land they had
loved.
Soon after sunset, 7 persuaded ms
lit'lc fticnds IL let me lead them o. III,
cabin. and then returned - look on
ayiin upuu the Occaa. In about bal
AN houg. a. | was standing musingl,
and apart lcll my hand gently press
ed. and on turning round, saw that tin
c.ri had stolen alone TO my side. In
t.w moments. th" evening star began Z,
twinkle from the edging e a Siolc
cloud. sc first II cleaned family sn,
at intervals. hui anon 1t came hngiil,
out. and shonc like holy thing upon
the brow OF the evening. The EIh q
ms side clzed upon u. and hailed q
with a tone. which told that q though
Of rapture was ~ her heart. She IN
qoircd. " ith simplicity aud csgrrncss
whether % the Gar land b. vinch NJ
uers gong, that same huyh, rsr woul,
hs ,ii1lr. and seemed 90 regard u "a
. another hienI that was 10 be- With be
,n her loHy and lo1cly journey.
Che frt wcrk ~ on voyage wa San
. attended ~ any important incident
! The .cl wa7. % 1mc Wild AND tJrny