The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-17
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE EARLY DEAD.

lfE EARLY DEAD. IS.
Leaves have their time 10 fali,
And flowers 70 wi,her in the north winds breath
And stars to set--bot oil,
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, oh Death 70
never shun grave yard. To my mind
there is something inexpressibly soothing in
its solemn walks and silent tombs. Side by
side there sleeps friend and foe; ambition
is stilled; genius has lost its sway; beauty
has passed to nothingness; the earth is no
longer their abiding place, for they have out
scared its clouds, and we remain awhile to
mourn over their tombs, and to embalm their
memory in the purest sanctuary of the heart.
This is the fit place for contemplation. Let
those who have seen,
.'The bark so richly freighted with their love-"
-sink slowly beneath the wavelet those who
have seen the sick bed changed to the death
bier, and followed the lost one to the silent
mansions Of the departed, 60 there and medi-
tate. 1t is there that the dim hosts Of Hope
and Joy and Love raise up at the same bid
ding of memory it is there that the strickened
heart goes down into the sweet hours Of the
past, and the beings who had lent sunlight
to our youth, the love that had fallen upon
our hearts, the dew from the bright urn OF
heaven, the smiles that frightened the solitary
paths Of manhood, come back from the land
of dreams, reopen the ivory gates Of life, and
hold out to us the garden Of earth-the an
ticipation of an eternity Of happiness and
peace.
During the summer that has just passed,
visited schoolmate, residing some twenty
miles in the country. A few days after my
arrival, stroled out into the woods. 1t was
clear summers evening. The last rays of
the setting sun shone upon the calm and
waveless waters OF small stream that dash
ed through the thick woods, and wandered
on through one Of the loveliest landscapes
thai ever met the eye of man. By the side
of the stream walked until the shades Of
night were gathering over the earth, and was
about to return, when l came in sight Of a
cottage-a strange place for so neat DWELL
ing, thought. 1t was situated on gentle
rise of ground, and clustering around its door
and windows, were many vines and bushes,
the honey -suckle, sweet-brar, lilach and la
burnum. Every thing around it bespoke
rest and happiness. Near the door was
rustic bench. on which were seated an aged
couple and young and very beautiful girl,
completed in this scene the very poetry Of cot
tage life.
Full of many pleasant thoughts returned
to my present home, and that night attended
a little party with my friend. We had
scarcely entered the room before l recog-
missed in one Of the dancers the beautiful
ottage girl whom had seen in my ramble.
/ was soon introduced to her. She seemed
about seventeen, and never had beheld such
fascinating beauty. Hers was indeed a coun-
tenance
Too fair TO worship, too divine for love-"
The blood could almost be seen coursng be-
meath her cheeks. Her dark lustrious eyes
seemed the home of some mischievous fay
and every glance a wave Of its magic wand.
Her hair clustered in natural ringlets around
a forehead like ivory, and was entwined with
the summers fairest flower Her voice was
like the glad gay notes of bird singing
merrily from the evening skies, and as she
moved in the dance she seemed wandering
Peri, which the spell-bound gazer expected
every moment to float away to its PARADISE
Have you seen butterfly waving its wings
against the breeze! Have you seen rose
leaf ere the lip of morn had kissed away its
sparkling dew? Have you seen the feet an
telope wildly bounding over its native hills
She was lighter, fresher, wilder than them all.
The hours winged by, and was still listen
ing to the full rich voice, the sweet words,
and the touching sentiments of my fair COM
panion. Her mind was spring of crystal
waters; and her thoughts were like the ele-
ment which, borne above the EARTH partakes
not Of its mists and impurities. There was
something so rare ard beautiful in them,
that long after she had ceased, and her voice
had been hushed forever, they thrilled upon
my heart "like the remembered tones of a
mute Tyre"
called at the cottage next morning, but
could not see her, as she was confined with
a slight cold Day after day called, and
she had not recovered. The sixth day came,
and again walked towards the house. As
approached it the physician whom had
seen in attendance, passed out, and | could
see that his face was stained with tears. The
aged mother stood in the door, and the traces
Of tears were also visible on her withered
cheek. | inquired after the daughter, and
without word she led me into the sick
chamber. With gentle hand she drew the
curtain Of the bed aside, and beheld the
bright girl whom | had met but few days
before in the flush of health, but oh how
wasted The voice with which she well
coined me was faint and indistinct her eyes
were dull, her cheek was pale and hollow,
and moist with death dews. II was fear
fu! and sickening sight Day succeeded day
until another week had gone, and was often
at her side. AT length, all hope Of recovery
passed away. | shall never forget her APP