The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-02-15

heidi Sn0KSpeQTe
"Dear uother, is it not the bell hear?''
g Yes, m coild; the bell for morning prayers.
1t is Sunday TO- day"
II had f'rg. often it. But now all days are
alike to me. | lark it sounds again-louder-
louder. Open the window, for love the sound.
There the sun shine and the fresh morning air
revive me. A nd the church-bell-oh mother
it reminds m e Of the holy Sabbath mornings.
by the Loire! 80 calm, so hushed, so beautiful
Now give me my prayer-book, and draw the
curtain back tn at | may see the green trees and
the church sp ire. l feel better to-day, dear
mother"
1t was brig hit cloudless morning in August
The dew still listened on the trees; and slight
breeze waited % the sick chamber of Jacqueline
the song of tn birds, the rustic of the leaves,
and the solemn chime of the church-bes. She
had been raise up in bed and reclining upon
the pillow, was gazing wistfnlly upon the quiet
scene without. Her mother gave her the prayer
book, and tn en- turned away to hide tear that
stole down t.er cheek.
At length tn c bells ceased. Jacqueline cross.
ed herself, XII ssed pearl crucifx that hung
around her ne ok, and opened the silver clasps
Of her mss,ll. For time she seemed wholly
absorbed in he rdevotions. Her lips moved but
no sound was audible. At intervals the solemn
voice of the p riest was heard at distance, and
then the cou'fu sed response of the congregation,
dying away in inarticulate murmurs. Ere long
the thrilling cl liant of the Catholic service broke
upon the ear. At first it was low, solemn, and
indistinct; tn. IN it became more earnest and en-
treating, as if lnterceding, and mporing pardon
for sin and tt len arose louder and louder, full,
| harmonious, majestic, as it waited the song of
praise to hea, en, and suddenly ceased. Then
the sweet ton, IS Of the organ were heard-trem-
bling thrilling, and rising higher and higher,
and filling the whole air with their rich meo-
dious music. What exquisite accords what
noble harmon les what touching pathos The
soul of the 81 ok girl seemed to kindle into more
ardent DEVOTE on and to be rapt away to heaven
in the full ha rmonious chorus, as it sweed on
ward, doubIi, ,g and redoubling, and rolling up
ward in full burst of rapturous devotion Then
all was hushe ID again. Once more the low sound
of the bell sn tote the air, and announced the ell
ovation of til host. The invalid seemed en-
tranced in pr aver Her book had fallen beside
her-her han DIS were clasped-her ewes closed
her soul r. etired within its secret chambers
Then triumphant peal of bells arose.
The tears gus he'd from her closed and swollen
lids; her oh, eek was flushed she opened her
dark eyes, an fixed them with an expression
of deep adora tion and penitence upon an image
of the Saviou on the cross, which hung at the
foot of her bed, and her lips again moved in
prayer Her countenance expressed the deep
est resignation. She seemed to ask only that
she might die in peace and 60 to the bosom Of
her Redeemer.
The mother was kneelng by the window,
with her face concealed in the folds Of the cur
tain. She arose, and going to the bedside of
her child, thr ew her arms around her and burst
into tears.
My dear mother, | shall not live long
feel it here. This piercing pain-at times it
seizes me, and l cannot-cannot Breathe"
"My child, you will be better soon.'
"Yes, mother, shall be better soon. All
tears, ana PAIN and sorrow will be over. The
hymn of alteration and entreaty l have Just
heard, | shall never hear again OH earth. Next
Sabbath, mother, kneel again by that window
as to-day. | shall not be here upon this bed of
pain and sickness; but when you hear the So
Tenn hymn Of worship, and the besecching
tones that wing the spirit up to God, think,
mother, that am herewith my sweet sister
who has gone before us-kneeling at our Sa-
viour's feet, and happy-oh, how happy
The afflicted mother made no reply-her
heart was too full to speak.
"You remember, mother, how calmly Annie
died Poor child she so young and beau
tiful | always pray that may die as she did.
do not fear death as did before she was taken
from us. But ob---this paiu-this cruel pain,