Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-07


lasting trouble away from their earthly lot,
and prepares them silently and unconscously
for Heaven.
"Do you think the child is dyingl" said
Gilbert with a calm voice to the surgeon,
who, on his wearcd horse had just arrived
from another sick-bed, over the misty range
OF hills: and had been looking steadfastly
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 lamcntaton at these
words-al had before known though they
would not confess it to themselves, what they
now were told--and though the certainty
that was in the words of the skIlful man their
hearts beat for little time with sick throb-
blngs, made their pale faces paler, and
brought out from some eyes greater gush
of tears; yet death had been before in this
house, and in this case he came, as he al
ways does in awe, but not in terror.
There were wandering, and waver ng, and
dreamy dclirious FANTASIES in the brain Of
the innocent child; but the few words she in
distinctly uttered were affecting not rcndng
to the heart, for it was PLAIN that she thought
herself herding 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 xliauscd-tlcre was too little
liie-too little breath in her heart, to frame
a tune but some of her words seemed to be
from iavorIic old songs; and a, last her moth
or wept, aud turned aside her face, when
the child, whose blue eyes were shut, and
her lips almost sill brcathcd ont these lines of
the beautiful twcn.y-third psalm:
The Lords my Shepherd I'll not want
He makes me down TO lie
In pastures green, he Ieadeth me
Inc quiet waters by.
The child was now left with none bu, her
mother by the bedside, for it was said to he
best 50 and Gilbert and his family sat down
round tho kitchen fire, for while, in silence.
In about quarter Of an hour, they began
to rise calmly, and to 90 each to his allotted
work. One Of Of the daughters went forth
with pail to milk the COW, and another BEGAN
to set cut the table in the middle of the floor
for supper, covering it with white cloth.
Gilbert viewed the usual household nrrappc
mcnts with solemn and uniroubled eve !:
and there was almost the faint light of a
grateful smile on his cheek as he said to the
worthy surgeon, "You will partakc of our
fare after your days travel and toll of hu-
mainly"
In short silent hour, the potatoes and
DAT cakes, butter and milk were onthc board ::
and Gilbert, lifted up his ,ol-hardened, but
manly hand, with ii slow motion, at which
the room was hushed as If it had been emp
~, closed his eyes in reverence, and asked
blessing. There was ii little stool, on
winch no one sat, by the old mau' S side. 1t
had been put there unwtiinely, when the
other seats were al placed in their usual
order; but the golden head that was wont
to rise at that part of the table was now
wanine.-Thcre was silcnce--not a word
was said--tlcir meal was before thcm-Gu I'D
had been thanked, and they began TO eat
Winnie they were at their silent meal, a
horseman came ga!oping up to the door, and
with loud voice, called out that he had
bcen sent express with letter to Gilbert
AlhSlIe; at the same time rudely and with
an oath, demanded dram for his trouble.
The eldest 500, lad of eighteen iiercely
seized the bride of his horse, and turned his
head away from the door. The rider some
what alarmed at the flushed face of the pow
crinl STRIPPING, threw down the letter and
rode of.
Gilbert took the letter from ms sons hand,
casting at the same time, half uphrailing
look on his face, that was returning to It's
former color. Il arcd'-said the youth.
with tear in his cyc-'l feared that the
brute's voice, and the trampling of the
horses feet would have disturbed her, Gil
bert held the letter hcsla'ingly in lis hand
as II AFRAID, at that moment, to read it: at
length lie SAID aloud to the surgeon: you
know lhat am man, and debt, if Justly
incurred, and punclualy paid when dnc, Is
no dishonor. Both his hand and bis voice
shook slightly as he spoke; but he opened
the letter from the lawyer and read it in ST
lcncc,
at this moment lis wife came from her
clild's bedside and looking anxiously at her
husband, told him mot to mind about the
money, that no man, who knew him, would
arrest his goods, or put him into PRISON.
Though dcal me, ii is cruel TO be put TO it
thus, when our BARN is dl ing, and when. if
so ii be the Lords will, she should have
decent burial, poor innocent, like them that
went before her. Gilbert continued reading
the letter with face on which no emotion
could be discovered; and then, folding i,
up, he gave it to his wife told her she molt
read it if she chose, and then put it into his
desk in the room, beside the poor dear barn.
She took it from him, without reading it. and
crushed it INTO her bosom; for she turned
her ear towards her child, and thinking she
heard it stir, run out hastily TO its bedside.
Another hour of trial past, and the child
was still swimm ng for its life. The very
dogs knew there was grief in the house. and
lay without stirring, as if hiding themselves.
below the long table II, the window. One
sister sat with an unfinished gown on her
knees, that she had been sewing for the dear
child, and still continued at the hopeless
work, she scarcely knew why; and often
putting up her hand to wipe away tcar-
sW hat is that y sad the old ,unn to t. l. ga