Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-04-04
THE BURIAL OF LITTLE NELL.


The following touching description of the inter
ment OF young and beautiful child is from "Mns-
ter Humphreys Clock"
Along the crowded path they bore her now
pure us the newly fallen snow that covered it
whose dny on earth had been as fleeing. Under
the porch, where she had sat when Heaven in
its mercy brought her to that peaceful spot she
passed again, and the old church received hei IN
its quiet shade. They carried her to her old nook,
where she had many and many time sat musng,
and laid their burden softly OH the pavement. Inc
light streamcd on it through the colored window
window where the boughs of trees were ever rust
ling in the summer breeze, and where the birds
sing sweetly all day long. With every breath OF
air that stirred among the branches III the sunshine,
some trembling, changing light would tall upon
the grave. Earth TO earth, ashes to ashes, dust TO
dust Many young hand dropped It's little wreath,
many stihed sob was heard Some aud there
were not few-kne down. All were sincere
and truthful in their sorrow. The service done,
the mourners stood apart, and The villagers closed
round to look into the grave before the pavement
stone should be replaced. One called to mind
how he had seen her sit or that very spot, and
how her book had fallen on her lap, rs she was
gazing with pensive face upon the sky. Anoth.
er told he hid wondered much that one SO deli
cate MS she, should be so bold how she had new
er feared 10 enter the church alone at night, but
had loved to linger there when all was quiet and
even TO climb the tower stair, with no more light
than TINT OF ire moons rays steallng UrouSh We
loop-holes in the thick old wall. A whisper went
among the oldest there that she had called to
mind how she had looked and spoken OF her
early death some thought it might he so indeed.
Thus coming TO the grave in little knots, md CLAN
cling down and giving place to others, and falling
off in whispering groups Of three or four, the
church was cleared in time of oil but the sexton
and the mourning friends. They saw the vault
covered and the stone fixed down Then, when
the dusk of evening had come on aud not sound
disturbed the sacred stiffness Of the piece when
the bright moon poured in her light on the tomb
aud monument, on pillar, wall, and arch, and
most of ALL lii seemed to them,) upon her quiet
grave--in that calm time, when all outward things
and inward Thoughts teen with assurances OF i'm
mortality and worldly hopes aud fears are hum
bed in the dust before them then, with tranquil
and submissive hearts, they turned away, and left
the child with God. Oh! il is hard TO take to
heart the lessons that such deaths will teach; but
let man reject it, for it is one that all must learn,
aud is a mighty, universal truth. When death
strikes down The innocent and young, for every
fragile form from which he lets the parting spirit
free, hundred virtues rise in shapes of mercy,
charity and love, TO walk the world and bless it..
OF every tear thatsorrowing mortals shed on such
green graves, some good is born, some greater
nature comes. In the desroyer's steps, there
springs up bright creations that defy his power
and his dark path becomes a bright way to heaven"