The Arkansas advocate., 1834-09-05
EFrom the New England Galaxy.]
 HUMAN LIFE:
OR THE FIRST AND LAST MINUTE.


 sIinaies pdss.-The anxious husband paces slowly across his study. He is a father; man childis bora unto him. .Min- ates pdss-the child has been blessed by d parent whom it cannot recognize, and pres sed to that bosom, to which instinct alone guides it for sustetiance-the young wife too has falntly answered to d husband s questions, and felt his warm kiss on her forehead.
 Hours pass.- The low moaning from the closely covered cradle, tell of the first wants of its infant occupant. The quiet tread of the nurse speaks of suffering around her, while her glad countenance says that the very suffering which she is trying to alleviate, Is a souree of itty, ana lile aama-. less articles winch from tme to time she arranges on the hearth, tell of new clalnl- ant for the couresies and attentions of those, who have progressed further on the pathway of existence.
 Da9fs pass.-Vlsitefs are thronging the chamber, and the mother, pale and interest," inc after her recent sickness, is receiving their congratulations, and listening proudly to their praises of the little treasure, which lies asleep in its rocking-bed at her feet
 The scene shifts, and the father Is there with her alone; and the twilight deepens about them, while they are planning the fu- ture destiny of their child.
 Weeks pass. The eyes of the young mother are sparkling with health, and the rose blooms again on her cheek, and the cares of pleasure and home engage her at- tenton, and the father Is once more ming
 ling with the world; yet they find many op-
 portunties each day to visit ths young ln- heritor of life; to watch over hts dreamlsss
 slumber-to trace each others looks in his
 countenance, and to ponder upon the teli-
 city, of which he is the bearer 10 them.
 Months Da8s.-The cradle is deserted
 But the chamber floor is strewed with play things, and there is little one loiiefine among them, whose half lsped words, ana
 hearty laugh, and sunny countenance tel ] you, that the entrance into life IS over 6
 pathway of flowers. The cradle is empty
 but the last prayers of the parents are ut
 tered over the small crib, which stands by their own bedside, and their latest attention
 is given to the peaceful breathings of it occupant.
 Years pass.-Childhood has strengthen ed into boyhood, boyhoed has gamboleo along into manhood. Old connexions ars broken-parents are sleeping in their graves [ new intmacies are formed--a new hom, , is about him, new cares distract him. H' , IS abroad, struggling amid the business 0
 life, or resting from it with those whom h' : has chosen from his own generation. = Time is beginning to wrinkle his forehead and thought has robbed his looks of thei
 gaiety, and study has dimmed his eyes. = l Those who began life after he had grow } up, are fast crowding him out of 1t, an
 there are many claimants upon his industr !, and love, for protection and support. Years pass.-iIis own children have be 3 come men, and are quitting him as ne ais 3 quilted the home of his fathers. His step . have lost their elasticity-his hand has be
 come familiar with the cane, to which he | obliged to trust in his walks. He has Tel f the hustle which fatlgued him. He look anxiously in each days paper among tn : deaths-and then ponders over the nam 2 of an old friend, and tries to persuade him s self that he is younger, and stronger, an' f has better hold upon life than any of hi
 contemporaries.
 e .Months pass.--He gradually diminishe z the circle Of his activity He dlslihes | e 20 abroad, where he finds so many new ia e ces: and he grieves to meet his fornle t companions after short absence, the