The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-10-05
Number S3.


him without leaving the box 1t fell like
thunderbolt upon him he fanced the last
business Of his life was over, and in the tri-
umph Of the moment, his adversary tainted
him, and openly charged him with dlshon
esty. The old man rose to repel the insult
while every limb shook with passion as if
palsy struck. All was confusion. The
judges interlered to preserve order. My
uncle heard them not. He was comman-
ded to sit down but still persisted TO vindi-
cate his character. A second--a third time
was he called upon to sit down and be si-
lent, which awakened him to sense of bis
position. He beheld his antagonist still
smiling, he slowly SUM into his scat, and
as if abashed his head hung over his bosom
and gradually descended untilit rested on
the desk before him. Order was again re-
stored, and the court proceeded in its busi-
ness. A few moments after, some one, ap-
preached my uncle and on raisiug him he
was found to be dead.
Thus died that good old man. There
was time when looked upon him as be-
ing secure from the shafts of fate; but who
may boast Of to morrow He was healthy
had health and friends, and his gentle spirit
made his home paradise. His sources of
enjoyment were boundless, for all nature,
from her sublime mysteries, even down to
the petals of simple flower was one mighty
minister, and he drew wisdom and delight
from ALL And yet asingle cloud was mag
| nifed until it overshadowed his heaven Of
happiness, and he died friendless and,heart-
broken all had vanished that made earth
beautiful. Bat is this strange ?--The fow-
ers of life pass away as the flowers Of sea-.
sons, without being conscious of the cause
OF their decay, and there breatles not that
man, however prosperous, but like my
poor uncle, hath his phantom, and in time
discovers that seven in laughter the heart
is sorrowful and the end of that mirth is
heaviness."
An old lady in the country, Of the class
said to make good stepmothers, had an ex-
qulsite from the city to dine with her on
certain occasion. For the desart, was an
enormous apple-pie. La ma'am,' said the
gentleman, 'how do you manage to handle
such pie Easy enough, was the quiet
reply, 'wc make the crust in wheelbarrow
wheel thunder an apple tree, and then shake
the fruit into it,
SeLfShneSs.-Within his house in great
arm chair before the fire sat an old grey head
ed man ripe for the grave. Twas winter,
and the cold wind whsled among the leaf
less branches from the trees, and the snow
and sleet ratified against the windows. The
old man cNucked, for he was warm and
comfortable, and the bitirg blast touched
him not. He said 81 have enough-I am
rich--so blow We winds and drift ye SHOWS
i am safe" A servant entered and, 8" Sir
woman is at the door trembling with cold,
has no where to sleep, no home to 60 to;
she begs.for a corner of your kitchen to pass
the night in" "Away, I've no room for
theiving beggars; there is a tavern close by
tell her to go there" "She says she
has no money, and begs you to give her e.
nough TO buy meal and lodging" Be
gone drive her Of, what I've goIis my own,
and I'll keep it too. I've none to squandeI
on worthless mendican,s."
The next morning the old man stepped
out into the porch, and there upon one of
the benches sat the poor beggar woman
His rage was kindIed.
"Did not tell you | have nothing for you,
impudence ! Come, come, tramp. Leave
my house, say, dye hear3' She heard
him not She was dead The old man
smote his breat and entered his house. He
never left it again-fOr he also died, and
died miserable, though rich.
szsg-Estsg--zzgzsn
WeHsri8ms.-A chiefs amang ye, takin
nOtes'-as the pickPocket said ven he vas