The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-12-10


Moss-side was not beautiful to careless or has
ty eye; but when looked or and surveyed, it SEEM
ed pleasant dwelling. Its roof, overgrown with
grass and moss, was almost as green as the ground
out of which its weather. stained walls appeared TO
grow The moss behind it was separated from lit
tie garden, by narrow slip of arabic land the dar,
color Of which showed that it had been won from,
the wild by patient industry retained. 1t required
bright sunny day to make Moss. side fair; but
then it was fair indeed; and when the little brown
moorand birds were singing their short songs a
mong the rushes and the heather or lark perhaps
lured thther through some green barley field for
its undisurbcd nest, rose ringing all over the emil
vened solitude, the little bleak farm smiled like the
paradise of poverty, sud and affecting in its lone
and extreme simplicity
The boys and girls had made some plots of flow
ers among the vegetables that the little garden sup
piled for their homey meals; pinks and carna-
tions, brought from walled gardens of rich men
farther down in the cultivated strath, grew here
with somewhat diminished lusture ; a bright show
of tulips had strange beauty in the midst Of that
moor-and and the smell of roses mixed well with
that Of the clover, the beautiful fair leaves that loves
the soil and the air of Scotland, aad gives the
rich and balmy milk TO The poor mans lips.
In this cottage Gilberts youngest child, a girl a.
in fever. 1t was now Saturday evening, and
ninth day of the disease. Was she TO live or die?
1t seemed as if for few hours were between the
innocent creature and Heaven. All the symptoms
were these approaching death. The parents knew
well the change that comes over the human face,
whether it it be in infancy, youth or prime, just
before the departure ofthe spirit; and they stood
! together by Margarct's bed, it seemed to them
that the fatal shadow had fallen upon her features
The surgeon of the parish lived some miles dis
tant, but they expected him now every moment
ind many wistfu look wus directed by fearful
eyes along the moor. The daughter, who was
out at service, came anxousy home on this night
the only one that could be allowed her, for the poor
must work in their grief and hired servants must
do their duty to those whose bread they eat, even
[ when nature is sick,-slck at heart Another Of
the daughters came in from the po,ato-fed beyond
the brae with what was to be their frugal supper
The calm, nosless spirit Of life was in and around
the house, while death seemed dealing with one
who, few days ago, was light upon the floor, and
the sound of music, that always breathed up when
most wanted; glad and joyous in common talk
sweet, silvery, and mournfu|, when it joined in by
mn or psalm.
One after the other, they all continued going up
to the bedside, and then coming away sobbing or
silent, TO see their merry little sister, who used TO
keep dancing all day like butterfly in mead
ow field, or like a butterfly with shut wings on
flower, trhng for while in the silence Of her Joy,
now tossing restlosely en- her bed and scarcely
sensible to The words Of endearment whispered mr.
ound her, or the kisses dropped with tears, in spite
of themselves, on her burning forehead
Utter poverty often kills the affections; but n
deep, constant, and common feeling of this worlds
hardships and an equal participation in all those
struggles by which they may be softened, unite
husband and wife, parents and children, brothers
and sisters, in thoughtful and subdued tenderness,
making them happy indeed while the circle round
the fire is unbroken, and yetpreparng them every
day to bear the separation, when some one or 9TH
er is taken slowly or suddenly away. Their souls
are not moved by fits and starts, although, in
deed. nature sometimes will wrcse with necessity;
and there is wise moderation both in the joy and
the grief of the intelligent poor, which keeps last
ing trouble away from their earthly lot, and pre-
pares them silently and unconsciously for Heav-
| en-.
"Do YOU think the child is dyiug!" said Gil
bert with calm voice to the surgeon, who, on his
weared horse had just arrived from another sick
| bed over the misty range of hills; and had been
| looking steadiastly for some minutes on the little
patient. The humane man knew the family well
in the midst Of whom he was standing and replied
while there is life there is hope; but my pretty
little Margaret is, fear in the last extremity
There was no loud amentalion at these words
all had before known though they would not con-
fess it to themselves, what they now were told
and though the certainty that was in the words OF
the skillfu man their hearts beat for little with
sick throbbings, made their pale faces paler and
brought out from some eyes greater gush ftears;
vet death had been before in this house, and in this
| 4 lao, al, hat, il,
terror
There were wandering, and wavering, and
dreamy delirous phan,asies in the brain of the in
nocent child; bu. the few words she indis,incly ut
tered were affecting not rendng to the heart, for i,
was plain that she thought herself herdng her
sheep in the green, silent pastures, and sitting
wrapped in her plaid upon the sunny side OF the
Birk- knowe. She was too much exhausted-there
was too little life-oo little breath in her heart to
frame n tune; but some of her words seemed to
be from favorite old songs; and at last her mother
wept, and turned aside her face when the child
whose blue eyes were shut, and her lips almos, still
breathed out these lines Of the beautiful twenty
third PSALM
The Lords nv Shepherd III not want
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green he leadch me
The quiet waters by.
The child was now leit with none bue her moth
err by the bedside, for it was said TO be best so;
andiiber, and bis family sat down round the kilch-
en- fire, for while, in silence. In about quar-
Ter of an hour, they began to rise calmly, and TO 60
each TO his allotted work. One of the daughters
wen, forth with the pail to milk the COW, and an
other began to set out the table in the middle Of
the floor for supper, covering it with white cloth.
Gilbert viewed the usual household arrangements
with q solemn and unlroubled eye; and there was
almos. the faint light off grateful smile on his cheek
as he said to the worthy surgeon, e." You will par
take of our fare after your days travel and toll Of
humanity
In short silent hour the potatoes and oat-cakes.
butter and milk were on the board; and Gilbert,
lifted up his toil-hardencd but manly hand, with a
slow motion, at which the room was as hushed as
if it had been empty closed his eyes in reverence,
and asked blessing. There was little stool,
on which no one sat, BY the old mans side. 1t
had been put there unwtingly, when the other
seats were all placed in their usual order but the
golden head that was wont 10 rise AT that part of the