Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-09-20
From the Sabbath School Visiter.
THE LOST TREASURE.

mother was deepl engaged reading letter
which she had but few moments before
received. James did not notice that the
tears were in her blue eyes, and that the
hand in which she held the letter trembled.
He went 10 her, and laid his hand upon her
shoulder, and the tears rolled down his
cheeks. twas but a moment before Mrs.
Horton closed the letter and laid ii in her
basket. A deep sigh escaped her, as she
pu, her arm around her son, and inquired
the cause Of his trouble.
"Why, Mother" said James, was fly
ing my kite, and saw white cloud, and
ii looked very near! ran up the hill, and
let the string out to see how near my little
kite could 90 to the cloud and while was
looking up, the string go, out ofmy hand,and
ii went away up, and at last | saw 1t 60
round behind the cloud. Iwatched 1t, and
i,did not come again; but Mother. 1t is
lost" Mrs. Horon pressed her boy cIo-
ser to her heart, as she said, And so the
little treasure papa gave you is gone. =
She paused moment and then added" My
son, have received letter this afternoon
from dear friend. She says her Father
gave her treasure. She loved it as well
better than YOU loved YOUR aite. She
held it fast. She thought the string by
which she held it was stronger than the
little string to your kite. She was thinking
how much comfort she should take from
her treasure; and it went away, tar-iar
above the beautiful cloud behind which YOU
have lost sight Of your pretty kiie-and
James, it will not come to her again"
The large tears soon dried from James
cheeks, and, as his mother finished speak
ing, he glanced his eye first upon her aglta-
ted countenance, and then upon the letter
which lay in her basket. After amoment's
silence, he said, "Mo;hcr, won't YOU read
to me about the lady's treasure, and--what
was it, Mothcr?"
"My dear, the letter is from your aunt
Emily, and your dear little cousin Frances
is dead. will read you the letter." James
looked very earnestly and sadly at his
mother as she opened the letter, and
read -
"MY DEAR SISTER; \ mothers heart
only can appreciate the agonIzed feelings
with which sit down to write you. On
could you take a seat by my side you would
not ask why my heart is full, almost to
bursting. The wild hope which caused my
heart to bound but few hours since, has
passed away. The shadows of death have
taickened around me-. The cold damps of
the grave have chilled my spirit, for my
beloved boy has gone-toreyer gone.
Night af;er night | have watched over his
untroubled sleep and longed for the morn
ing sun to awaken him to gladness. lie
sleeps forever now. \ thousand times |
have wept to behold his lghtest grief lie
will never sorrow again. lie lies before
me how. Ics-he rests in the little bed
over which have so often bent to give him
the good night kiss. Those lips which
have moved in an infants prayer, are closed.
He will never speak again. His brown
hair lies in clustering curls upon his pale
forehead, and the rose has faded from his
sheek.
alt was but an hour after YOU left us last
week that he first complained. was Sit
ting by the window, still thinking of your
visit, and in my heart blessing God for the
treasures of hope and happiness he has
granted US; when Francis CINE to me and
laid his head upon my lap. noticed that
there was burning flush upon his cheek.
but supposed it merely the excitement OF
parting with his little cousin. | cndeavored
to divert his attention, and asked him fhe
would like to walk with me. His counten-
ance expressed an unusual degree ofpleasure
as he replied, yes Mother, if you will 60
and see Charles. Our visits to the poor
sick boy had been suspended for few
days: and | very gladly complied with his
request. We found the suffering boy near
death. A scarlet fever of the most n1allg-
nant character had dreadlully reduced him.
We remained by his bed about haitian hour,
and, as took leave of the afflicted mother,
Francis firmly grasped my hand pressing
close to my side, said, Mother, do stay
and make poor Charles WELL That night,
when had listened to the evening prayer
ofmy beloved boy, he whispered, Mother,
will you stay with me when die? know
not why it was so, but there was a vague
uncertain fear in my breast that the flame
kindled in my heart at the altar of God,
was soon to be quenched. And while
Francis slept, sat by him, and prayed for
strength to meet the heavy atfliction. The
morning sun shone brightly into our pleas
ant room, butt brought no relief for my
fears; and ere the day passed, Francis was
evidently victim of the same disease winch
had wasted away the strength and checked
the life.blood of Charles Haven. For
&c .la,-. ho u,ns, dnlirinuS hut even