The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-10-15
From the Religious Magazine.
MY SISTER

One beautiful morning in my early life | rcmem-
bcr to have been playing with IA Younger sister not
then three years old. 1t was one of those bright
mornings IN spring that bring Joy and life to the
heart, and diiiusc gladness and animation through
all the tribes OF living creatures. Our feelings were
III perfect harmony with the universal gadncss of
nature. Even now | seem tu hear the merry laugh
of my little sister, as she followed me through the
winding alleys of the garden, her check suliuscd
with the glow of health and animation, and waving
hair floating in the wind.
She was an only sister, the sole companion of all
my childish sports. We were constantly together ::
and my young heart went out to hers with all the
affection, all the tondncss, of which childhood is
capable Nothing afforded me enjoyment in which
she did not participate; no amusement was sought,
which We could not share together.
That morning we had prolonged our play till
near the hour of breakfast with undimnshing ar
dor, whcn at some trlilng provocatlon, my impctu-
Gus nature broke forth, and in INV anger / struck
my little sister a blow with my hand She turned
to me with appealing look and the large tears
came INTO her eyes. Her heart was too full To a-
low her TO speak, and shame made me silent At
that moment, the breakfast bell summoned us away.
and we returned to the house without exchanging IA
word. The excitement of play was over, and, as
she sat by my mother at breakfast, perceived by
occasional stolen glanccs ut her. that she was pac
and sad. tear seemed ready TO start i'm her eve
1t was only when my mother inquired she was ILL.,
when she drank her coffee, and cudcayored to eat
was ashamed and gricved, and mwardly resolved
to embrace the first opportunity when we were alone
to thro" my arms around her neck and Cntrcat her
forgiveness.
When breakfast ended, my mother retired
with her INTO her own room, directing me IN the
mean time to SIT down to my lesson. seated my
self 10y the window, and ran over nv lesson but did
( tN 1
my to the scene in the garden and at tablc-It wa,
long before my mother returned, and when she did
II was with m agitatcd look and hurried step To tel
me that my poor Ellen very i'll. Iasked caeer.
ly If might 90 To her. but was not permitted lest
should disturb her. A physician was called, and cv.
eIy means used for her recovery but To no purpose
The disease, which was in her head, constant,
p increased in violence, and she became dclrous /
q was not until evening that was permitted TO So,
her. She little recovered from the severity q
/ her pain, and lay with her eyes close and her tt
hand resting on the pillow beneath her head. How
ionged 10 tell her The sorrow felt for my unkind
h ness to her i'll the morning, and how much | ha,
suffered for II during the day. But was forbidden
II to speak TO her, and was taken out othc room
n During that night, and the day following she cou
y tnued to grow worse. | saw her several times
: but sl. was also mscnsblc of my presence. Once
r, indeed, she showed some signs of consciousness,
and asked for me, but Immediately rclapsed into he
r former state.
On the morning of the third day, | rose at al
r early hour, and repaired To the sick room. VI
d mother was sitting by the bed As entered sh
n drew me TO her. and for some time was silent Will
:. tie tears flowed fast down her face first learn
/, u'a my sweet sister was dead, my mother Dire,
n aside the curtain that concealed her from me- fe
d as though my heart would break. The rcmcm
Is brance OF her affection for me, and INV last mnkin
e aeed' revived IN my mind and buryng my face i
r 'he iods OF the curtain, wept long and bitterly
! saw her lald into the colfn and lowered int
10 ihe grave. ] almost wished TO lie down there wit