Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-04
HUMAN LIFE,
ok THE FIRST AND LAST MINUTE

III
hiId i horn into him Minutes pdSs-the child
ta. been blessed by parent whom It cannot
rscoqnize and pressed 10 that bosom, 10 winch
;os,inct alone guides for sustenance-they young
wife too has family answered to husoands
onestions and felt his warm kiss on hef lore
head - e.., AZ
oraeeIy covered cradle, tells of the first wants
~ IT'S infant occupant. The quiet tread Of the
nnrse speaks of suffering around her; while her
dad countenance, says that the very suffering
SSyhfch she is trying to alleviate, is source OF
inv and the nameless articles which from time
~ time she arrangeS on the hearth, tell of new
Claimant for the courteses and attentions OF
t5ose. who have progressed further on the path
way of existence.
Days DaSs.-VisiterS are thronging the cham
her. and the mother, pale and interesting after
her recent sickness is receiving their conSra
tuati0ns, and listening proudly To their praises
nf the little treasure, which lies asleep IN It's
rocking bed at her feet. The scene shifts, and
the father is there with her alone, as the twi-
light deepens about them, while they are piah-
ning the future destiny of their child.
Ueeks pass.-The eyes of the young mother
arc SPARKLING with health, and the rose blooms
anain on her cheek, and the cares OF pleasure
and home engage her attention, and the Ia
tber is once more mingling with the world;
vet they find many opportunities each day
10 visit the young inherltor OF hie--to "atch
over his dreamlesS slumber-to trace each
orber's looks in his cOuntenance, and 10 pom
..r mon tHe felicity, of which he is the bearer
tItn,bs pass.-The cradle is deserted. But
49,, cb,,ober floor is strewed with play things,
Ind there is a little one lettering among them,
whose half lisped words, and hearty laugh, ana
sunny countenanCe tell you, that the entrance
into life is over pathway oil mowers Inc era
a.. l,ct f,ra n
lre inferred over the small crib, when s'andS
r. their own bedside, and their latest attention
* uiren 10 the peaceful breathingS OIL It's occu'
pant. .,,oa int,
hovhood and gambed along into manhood
od connexions are broken-parentS are steep,
ioa in their graves-new intlmacleS are formed
"A new home is about him, new cares distract
him. He is abroad, struggling amid the bust
ness of life or resting from It with those Wnonl
he has chosen from his own generatlon lihie
iSbeainning TO wrinkle his forehead, and thought
bas robbed his looks of their gaiety, and study
ms dimmed his eyes. Those who began lite,
after he had grown up, are fast GROWING MIN
out of it, and there are many claimants upon
his Industry and love, for protection and sup
port
Years pass.-His own children have become
men and are quitting him, as he also quilted
the home of his fathers. His steps have lost
their elastcity-hiS hand has become familiar
with the cane, TO which he is obliged TO trust IN
his walks. He has left the hustle which fatigued
him He looks anXiously in each days paper
among the deaths-and then ponders over the
name of an old friend, and tries to persuade
himself, that he is younger, and stronger, ana
has better hold upon life than any OF his CO.
temporares.
lioaths possible gradually diminishes the
circle of his activity. He diS,ikeS TO 60 abroad,
where he hndS so many new faces: ana ne
grieves to meet his former companions, alter
short absence, they seem to have grown SO OLD
and n6rm. Quiet enjoyments only are rellShed,
"a little conversation about old tmeS-a SOBER
game at whSt-d religious traatSe,-and ms
early bed, form for him the sum total OF his
pleasures.
Ueeks pasS.-Infirmity keeps him in his
chamber, His walks are limited to the small
space between his easy chair and his bed His
swollen limbs are wrapped in hannels HIS
sight is taiing-his ears refuse their duty, and
his cup is but half filed, since otherwise, his
shaking hand cannOt carry it To his shrunk lips
without splitting its contents. His powers are
weakened--hiS faculties are blunted-his
strength is lost
Days pQSs-The old man does not leave
his bed-his memory is failing-he talks but
cannot be understandable asks questions but
they relate TO the transactions Of a former re
hHEduOn-ne speaks Ol occurrences Dut lHS re-
collection of no one around him can 90 back
10 their scenes-he seems to commune with
com, AIDES, but when he names them, it is found
that the waters of time and oblivion have long
lowered their tombS.
,,bUrs pasS.-The taper grows DINNER and
dimn, er-the machinery moves yet more and
more 81 rwly-the sands are fewer as they mea-
sure the allotted span. The motion of those
about him Is UNDECIDED, or becomes vcXaton
Each fresh mo airy after his health is knel The
springs of lie can no longer force on its wheels
the silver chor,, is lSst untwistng-the pitcher
Sbroken atthe fountain and time lis burthen."
Ills children are about HIN, but he heeds them
not-his friends are near, but he does not re-
cognize them. The circle is completed. The
course is run-and utter weakness brings the
damp, which uSherS in the night of death.
Minutes pdSs-HiS breathing grows softer and
lower-hiS pulse beats fainter and feebler.-
Those around him are listening, but cannot
tell when they cease The embers are burnt
out-and the blaze flashes not before it expires.
Ills three score years and tenn are number
ed, Human life 4" is iniShed."-N f.. Gal.