The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-04-07
AltHrelII u.s..
THE BE Q u EST.
is he co.ning.'

a lamp dmly burning upon one Of these curl.
ously carved oak tablet so common in tho times Of
our ancestors, displayed as the words were spo-
ken, an intense anxiety in the counlenancc Of an
aged man, evidently "sick unto death" and who
seemed 10 fear that life would not hold out until
the object Of his wish had been attained. The
nurse to whom the enquiry had heen directed who
stood leaning against tho post Of the antique bed,
holding back, with her hand, its hckly figured
arras hangings, turned a listening car 10 the hale
open door for .noment, and then, reyerlng 10
the pale features Of the invalid, answered. in that
low. hesitaling voice so aieciing'y assumed BY
almost al attendants towards tho dyng-as if
nfrad to dssi7a,e the slishes, hope tina, could be
formed at such tine-'l don't hear him yet. but
he'll be here this moment; he can't be far off,
Il hope mott hope not, said the patient, clos
Ing his eyes in the very intensity of his feelings
My George cannot sure he SO los, as TO avoid
The dying he'd Of his father
NO, no, sir, indeed not answered the nurse in
an earnest tone, and again turning anyiousy TO the
door. Il am sure he will be hcrc-Stay'-- land she
listened moment longer--'lherc he comes
hear his step below AS she spoke, the disan,
sound Of a (oolsep coal indeed be distinguished.
1t became more distinct; and an evident salisfac-
ton in the certainty Of accomplished hope, lighted
up The sfening features of the aged man; his eyes
were closed, but his lips moved in the ul,erancc
of a grateful devotion. Another mo n.ent, and
young man-nis face flushed from tho midngh,
revel, and his whole appearance highly indicating
the excitement Of in'emperance- hurredly
into the room. There is something in tho silence
in the soom-in the unworldlikc secusion of
the sick apartment. which, stern and callous mus,
be that heart of which il will no, instantly md
deeply soemnise the feelings. Thuo immediate
was the change in the department OF the reveller:
the hasty, nlmos, boslcrous step with which he
had ascended the Stairs was instantly, even uucon-
scously, hushed into The sealthies, pace; and the
features, lnflnned with prolonged excitement, NJ.
sumed at once an expression Of seriousness as IT.
ihe heat alone had caused the difference. Even
his very air seemed 10 lose the wildness which
excitement and dlsordered dress had impaired to it;
ond, as he softly and with downcast eyes no.
preached the bed where his suffering parent lay
his expressive features indicating the deep sorrow
ola disposition naturally ai1eciionalc-he looked
more like penitent, coming to receive deserved
and promised blessing, than rake, scarce conce-
ding 10 the soft and of.repeated message Of the
dying tho few moments reluctantly sna,ched from
his absorbing pleasures. When ho reached tho
bedside " his father, and took the clnmmy hand
which wa, in silence extended TO him, and saw by
the Mint light Of the solitary lamp so strongly con.
unsllns with the glare and brIIliancy he had left,
tho damp dew Of approaching death gathering up
on those features which. in the unwarped impulse
oil his better nature, he had oved,-ihc last Tenn
nani Of hardened feeling a, once gave way, md,
completely overcome by the sight, he burst into
tears. The old man was evidently rra,iied BY
the exhibition Of a tenderness no had scarce OK.
pecied, George said he, in voice tremulou.
between pain and satisfied desire. I knew You
would no. disnppoin, the las, wish Of your father
The young man, as # awakened fully. though too
late, to the value Of parents love he had lost.
answered only by more eonvulsiye sobbiny.
'eei that shall not be long with YOU he
continued; and what little have 10 say, J mus,
say quick As he spoke, he motioned tho at,cn.
dant from the room.
when they were alone, he desired hi, son 10
hand him some papers from the drawer of 4 pei,h.
boring secretary. The either watched him o,,-
FOWL y as the young man laid a large bundle Of
parchmen'' and sealed writing, upon tho bed; bp,
Dis features betrayed no sen,lmen, incompa,bIo
win the docp emotion or tho limo The nyas,