The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-30

think once more of the Jorgsf-me-nof, and 10
wish herself back again! Al that instant she
heard great heavy bell booming and tolling
she knew il was tolling--and she knew she
was too laie--and she knew that her mother
was dead OF broken hear land she fell
upon her face, and stretched lbrth her hands
with shrek, and prayed God TO forgive her
ana allow her to see her mother once more
only once more
Why, what ails the child !" whispered
her II
IL was her mothers voice and poor Ruth
was afraid to look up lest itsshould all vanish
Upon my word, Sarah, said another voice
lit was her fathers "upon my word, Sarah,
! do not know but the poor little creatures
thoughts appear to have undergone another
change. have heard nothing TO-DAY Of the
forget-me-not which troubled her SO the first
week, have your
"She mentioned il but once TODAY, and
then she shuddered but perhaps we had
better keep it in the glass till we see whether
1t will bear to be traIFplanied, for she seems
TO have set her little heart upon having that
flower live; wish knew why 7"
DO you indeed, mamma 2" whispered
poor Ruth, still without looking up well, then,
will tell You. Thatlower was given me by
Fairy to make me remember my promises
10 you, my poor dead mamma, and 50 long as
| water that every day at the same hour, SO
long shall be growing better and better, and
MY poor dear mamma boo 600 boo.ooow
and the little thing began to cry as fshe would
break her heart
Why, this is stranger than ALL" said the
father " ! can't help thinking the poor child
would be rational enough now, if she hadn't
read SO many fairy books but what mercy
it was my dear Sarah, and how shall we ever
be thankful enough, that you happened to be
down there when she fell into the water"
"Ah" Ruth Page began to hold her breath
and listen with the strangest feelings.
Eyes, Robert, but declare TO you l am
frightened, whenever think of the risk ran
by letting her fall in, head first, as did,"
Poor Ruth began to lift her head by little
and little, and to feel about, and pinch herself
10 see II she was really awake, or only dream
ing.
. And then, too, just think Of this terrible
fever, and the strange, wild poetry she has
been talking, day after day, about Fairy-land
Poetry! Fudge, Robert, fudge"
Ruth looked up, full Of amazement and joy,
and whispered" Fudge, father, fudge y and
the very next words that fell from her trem-
bling lips as she sat looking at her mother,
and pointing at little bunch Of forget-me -nots
in full flower, that her mother had kept for
her in glass by the window, were these---
Oh, mother dearest mother! what terri
BILE dream have had"
Hush, my love, hush! and go to sleep.
and we will talk this matter over when you
are able to bear it."
Cody gracious, mammal"
"There she goes again! J" cried her father;
now we shall have another fit
y" Hush, hush, my love You must go to
sleep now, and not talk any more"
Well, kiss me, mamma, and let me have
your hand to go to sleep with, and III try"
Her mother kissed the dear little thing, and
took her hand in hers and laid her cheek upon
the pillow, and in less than FIVE minutes she
was sound asleep, and breathing as she hadn't
breathed before since she had been fshed out
of the water, nearly three weeks before, on
her way to Fairy-land