The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1839-09-06
The Christians Death Bed.

Twas beautiful morning in the month
of May, the vernal breeze was waiting the
delicate perfume of the rose and the orange
flower, through the window of the sick man.
The sun had scarce begun to pour down his
ardent rays, and the invalid's feversh eye.
wandering over the green plains, beheld at
distance the laborer slowing follwing his
plough. All was peace and loneliness; the
wren, with his subdued melodious voice,
was soothing the ear; and from the topmost
branch of neighboring tree, the mockiDg-
bird was pouring forth his inexhaustible
stream of varied song. The clear whistle
of the partridge was heard from the neigh
boring field; the hen with anxious solicitude
was calling her tender brood around her.
The house dog, wearied by his watch dur
ing the night was enjoying a tranquil repose
under the shade of large aspen. In the
clear blue expanse Of Heaven, unobscured
by cloud, the lazy vulture of the south
was sailing in monotonous rounds. The adj
mirer of our lovely world, standing at the
window of the sick man, beholding the
beautiful prospect-the James dying away
in the distance, its silver bosom occasional
ly dotted by white sail, or obscured by the
thick smoke of steam boat-would uncOn-
sciously exclaim, sHow beautiful is naturen
All these met the view of the dying man
the fields whose culture he had superin-
tended, the garden whose flowers he had
planted; the river on whose grassy banks he
had so often strayed in pleasurable medita-
ton; the birds to whose songs he had listen
ed with so much pleasure in health, and
whose nests and tender young he had pre-
served fIom the rude hand of the school boy;
old Cesar, whom he himself had reared, who
had followed and defended him in many pc
rils-all these met his eye, and consplred,
by their calming influence, to sooth his dying
hours. He looked at his old friend, streatch-
ed out his emaciated hand to him, and whis-
pered in the low tone of disease, "Here,
C8sar;n the noble animal sprang through
the open door in moment and licked his
masters hand The old man was affected,
he patted his favorite's head, and turning to
his daughter said, s.Fanny, you will notleave
old Caesar to starve, when | am gone 2" She
spoke not, but an eloquent food of tears
answered the question. The dog seemed
to perceive that something sad was going
on, and lying on the floor wagging his tail, |
he looked wistfully in the face of his mas
ter-a master, whom he should never more
follow, except to the grave. Yes, his last
hour was come; his family were all assem-
bled at the bedside, and his eye often rest
ed on his affectionate wife, and lovely daugh- |
Ter, holding in her arms her first born neith-l
or did he spare look ofregard on his faith-
Ful body servant, giving vent, in corner of
the room, to his grief, in sincere food of
Tears. His mind was composed--he had
1artaken for the last time, of that hottest of
ties, and his soul awaited but the mandate
If the Mighty One, TO wingits way to scenes
# far purer bliss. Yet one grief disturbed
lis dying hour-his son-his only son, was
lot there. He had, year before, despite
he entreaties Of father, mother and sister,
AIKEN what property the liberality Of his
ather had bestowed upon. him, and gone to
me of the most d;ssipated Southern cities,
whence many sad account Of him reached
lis family. They had hoped that the seeds
If religion, 50 early implanted in his heart,
night still spring up; and had written him
numerous letters assuring him ct entire for
yiveness, il he would return. The old mans
leallh sunk and when he saw the hour Of
leath was night ct hand, he besought him
II the most affectionate terms to come to
i'm, that bis eyes might not be closed for
sper, without one last fond look on his onlyll