Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-10-15
T 0 0 l A 7 3

In pleasant village in the southern pait
of New Hampshire there lived, some years
since, gentleman by the name of N.
His dwelling was situated in retired spot,
amid beautiful scenery, and had an aspect
of simple elegance that never failed to at
tract the notice and admiration of the trav-
eller.
Mr.. N and an only sister were all
whom death had spared from large family
and they naturally clung to each other with
enhanced affection for their repeated be-
reavements. Affection had not been with
out effect upon the heart of the sister-she
lian, but the brother ''being often reproved
had hardened his heart" He was not an
atheist or skeptic, but utterly Indifferent
TO eternal things. He would not trouble
himself with gloomy thoughts. This life
aud lis enjoyments, and above all its preser-
WALTON, engaged all his time, his energies,
his desires.
AT length the same fatal disease which
had borne so many of his race to an early
grave, seemed to have marked him too for
its victim. He sought in vain to ward of
the approach Of the dead enemy, and when
at last convinced that il was in cain, he
tried TO Danish thought, to forget that he
must die. AT least, while he lived he
would if possible be happy. He had a
highly cultivated mind, and every intellec.
tual source of enjoyment was at bis com
mand. Books, social converse, all that
wealth could contribute to render home a
| 4
egance of life were assembled around him,
and he seemed to linger awhile in fheir en-
| loyment, yet there was no hope of recovery
even in his own heart. Gradually he grew
weaker, and bis own pleasant home became
his world, the limit beyond which he knew
he might no more pass.
| How did his sister feel as she saw her
beloved brother going down to the grave
without hopes in Him who alone could take
from that grave its victory Her heart was
wrung with anguish-she wept and prayed
for him in secret, and again and again she
resolved TO warn him OF his danger and to
lmpiore hun to prepare for death. But as
she endeavored to perform the solemn duty
the words died upon her lips, her courage
utterly failed in his presence. Much young.
err than her brother, and since childhood
looking TO him alone for guidance aud pro.
lection, how could she become suddenly 4
teacher to him she so re vered. Months
weeks, days, wore on, aad she still DELAYED
Oae myrnng she left her closet feeling thai
she must not, she would not hesitate long
er. She had prayed, until she feared Goo
more than man, and she loved her brother:
immortal soul more than she dreaded hi:
dIspeasure. She joined him with the fixet
purpose of speaking at once in the fllnes.
of her sisterly affection OF her fears for hi,
life, temporal and eternal. She found him
feeling better than usual. and speaking o.
the future as though he thought TO live vet
many months. She almost began to hope
he m CHIT be spared, and without giving ur
the intention of performing the painful task
was diverted from it for the moment-Sud
denly her brother started,-a change came
| over him. 81 am dying" said he. Alas
then his poor sister found courage. "My
brother, my brother, now do you feel in the
prospect of death ?" He had only time to
answer, s. You should have thought of that
before-now it is too late" These were
his list words few moments, and he was
in eternity. Too late. How fearfully those
words fell upon that poor sisters car. She
had neglected her duty, and now it was too
late.
1t added to her agony TO learn that her
brother had doubtless been looking earnest
| ly for word of warning, of counsel from
his meek, gentle sister that he had watched
admiringly her Christian por'ment-that
he had said to one and another of their
| friends, " why is it that my sister E. i.
always so cheerful and amiable Is it her
religion that renders her character so love
ly - And this but told her he would have
| listened, and now it was too late.
| Reader, is there no one towards whom
you have a duty 10 perform no brother, or
sister, or friend Be warned that you de
! lay it not, until it be too late.