Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-09-28


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not be attended 70.
Here is another Of those beautiful and
touching pictures with which the editor ofthe
u. s. Gazette sometimes Yields dominion
over the hearts of all his readers.
THE BEREAVED WIDOW.
"He was an only son, and his mother was a
widow"
We turned into narrow street, and shield
ed ourselves from the piercing Northwestern,
that hae. been for some minutes blowing,show-
inc US that our cloaIs were not wholly wealth
erfprooE Il was certainly a comparative
pleasure after such a searching blast, to stand
in the lee Of the houses; and as soon as the
blood began TO circulate, a little, we consider
ed what should be our next step IN the errand
which we had undertaken to perform, when
our attention was arrested by sounds OF wall
ing from the house near which c were stan
dino. and as the evidences of sudden grief |
continued we felt emboldened, if not called |
upon by our mission, to knock at the door, |
We repeated this several times, but as there !
was no answer, we determined to enter.-
Raising the latch with some force, in order TO |
arrest attention,we opened the door and stepp- |
ed into a small parlor; there was no "entry."
The noise Of opening the door had called from
an adjoining room female, whose counten-
ance was marked by the deepest grief She
started at our appearance, but with courtesy
natural to her sex, pointed to a CHAIR near the
stove
We apolirizedfo for our unbidd N entrance
by stating that her ordinations OF distress
had seemed to give a warrant TO our boldness
as we were in the discharge of a duty TO
class in which she seemed to be included.
There was no answer, il was evident that
al feeling was merged IN one Ovcrwhelm ng
grief, and the sobs which shook the frame o.
the afflicted one were rather evidences Of
its conCealment, than attempts az is express
sion.
Are your sulfcrngs," said my companion,
respectfully approaching the female, "ofa kind
which we can mitigate! Oar means whatev-
e. they are, shall be chcerfully devoted to that
purpose.
Unless you bring back TO my arms hus-
band who as been dad for months, and res
tore to Toy bosom an only child, stretched out
on yonder bed, yc cannot minister to my sui
terings."
W. knnw tna We'll Ia, feeln.rs of a m other
10 attempt formal c nsO,atOnS in the freshness
other bereavement, and 50 we mingled a teaI
with the childless widow, conscious that sym
pathv would do more than advice.
The door Of the little room was open, anc
the Tpht from window fell upoon a bed
The suffering widow trcmbled as she turned
her face IN that direction.
Wefollowed her.
EsThe little enc lay upon the bed IN the new
ness of death. Sickness had not emacIatet
the face, nor pain disturbed the features. /
was the beauty of quiet. Silence and rest ha
set their seal upon his lips; bat the blue ven
Law across his temple, and down his cheek a
ifthe current Of life had only paused in its ca
reer. not chilled. The thin silky lock OF hal
tEa, Law upon the forehead Of the dead child
tremblcd in the agitation OF the air as we ap
preached, but settled still again upon the brow
10 whose glossy whlteness marble is poo
comparison. Tie !ong eyelashes were j
beautiful relief to the delicate skin over whic
they hung and served TO shade the eyebal
where alone death seemed TO have set It's sea
AS the grief OF the mother broke out airesl
We felt that something should be said.
"The Lord gave" said my companion as
toDk the mothers hand from the cold tiny fiji
gers of the boy, "the Lord gave this trea
ure"
aWho else, o who else could have give
such an one!" said the woman gazing dow
ward upon the bed.
@And the Lord hath taken away, added n
friend.
A shivering Of the mother frame indicate
that she was sensible her comfort was TAXI
away.
slet us then bless the name of he Lord
continued my friend.
20 not now-not yeti cannot do It WI
that form before me. Let me greve witho
renroachnp my Maker, but | cannot mo
HIM with blessings. 1t may prove good to I
to be afflicted; but while the heart IS bleedI
with the freshness ofits wound, may like Il
chel refuse to be comforted.
With due respect for the sacredness OF
recent griefwe.led The mourner away from [
sight OF her child, with view OF proposing
her as soon as possible some plan OF decent ;
pulture.
The rooms Indicated poverty, but not SOU
idntss. There was a sad deficiency IN !
means of comfort, but what there were, bC
evidence Of being the remainder of suffice
cy. Entire neatness distinguished eve
thing, but even the clothes upon the bed We
insufficient for necessary warmth, and cha
and tables had gone to provide for herself a
little one,when the sickness OF the child
prevented her from work.
While we were arranging the melsu
which should ensure decent burial TO the Cd
a slight noise from the bed room arrested
attention. went to the bed.
A small dog was lying at a little dlstal
from the dead child, and gazing intently I
his uncbanging face. The afectonate ann
had reached forward to lick the cheek OF
boy, but its GOODNESS prevented repettl
and he contented himself with constar
watching and an occasional low moan.
aPoor Rolla," said the mother, who
followed me to the bed side, @poor Rola,
feels but does not understand his loss.
and were the constant and only companr
Of dear little Henry, and now we are his 0
moumers."
The next afternoon plain carriage 4
away liltle Henry in his coffin; and his affic
mother. At the gate Of the grave yard
friend and met the carriage. The sex
took the coffin and proceeded. My friend pl
ed the widows arm beneath his own,and HI
cd her onward, and followed them-but
alone--poor Rolla joined the little process
and completed its numbers.
The solemn service was performed by
friend 70 the scaniy congregation, cisiur
only by the deep sobs Of the mother
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