Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-04-25
ga LITTLE HuNcH-BAcK. >

IN the MnlcKeR0ocker tof April, We ind the folS
lowing affecting incident received from am esteem
ed correspondent, who Transcribed il verbatim from
the familiar letter Of airiend. 1t teaches a most
useful lesson, and If any one can read it without
emotion, with the editor Of the Knicketbocksr we
say. let him eOnfpe his within his own
81 have Just returned nom the funeral Of poor
Emma c., little girl to whom had beenfou
years most tenderly attached AS there was sOShef
thing very touching in the circumstances connect-
ed with her death, will relate them to You, She
was the daughter of a widow, near neighbcr Of
mine. When i first knew her, she was sprigAt<
y child Of about four years Of age perfect ii form
and feature. The bloom Of health was upon hef
cheek her eye was the brightest I ever saws
while in her bosom there glowed generous afec-
tion that seemed to embrace all with WHOM She
came in contact. But when she reached het'
year, her health began to decline The rose sud-
denly Paled upon her cheek, and her eye bad ac.-
quired prematurely that sad, thooghtul expression
which gives so melancholy charm TO the features
Of wasting beauty. Her mother looked ON with am
anxious heart. and at utter loss to account for
90 sudden change in her health, But soon new
source Of anxiety appeared. While dressing her
one day, she observed on Emma's back, Just be-
tween the shoulders, small swelling, Of about the
size Of walnut. AS she watched this. spot, and
observed that il grew larger from day to day, the
mother began to have sad misgivings !. These,
however, she kept to herself for a time. Soon eE
terwards slight stoop in her gatebecame visible.
The family physician was now called in, and the
worst forebodings ofthe mother were confrmed.--.
Her ldolized child was fast becomnga hunch back!
Twill not attempt to describe the feelings Of the
mother, who was thus doomed to witness, from
day to day, the SLOW growth OF that Which was to-
make one SO dear TO her cripple and . dwarf
Suffice It to say, her love as wen az care seemed to
be tedoubled, and Emma becames more than eyefs,
the child Of her Affections Nor did her coln--
panions neglect her when she could no longer join.
in their out door sports and her sprightly step
had given place to slow, stopping gate. and the
| sweet ringing voice to sad querulous tone,' that
| sometimes made the very heart ache. On the COM
trary, all We'd with each other in administering to
| her amusements. Among them, none chung to hefs
with more assiduity than her brother william,
who was the nearest to hef own age. He gave up
all his out door play in order TO be with her, and
seemed never 80 happy, as when he could draw .
smile, sad though it was, from her thoughtful
featuress rtfs@ Esfa.s4'ft f"@51tsis 'xsr o;s
But after while Emma grew maynard under
her affections, and unfortunately, though generals
ly good natured, William had quick temper, 10
check which required more self command than
commonly falls to one 80 young. Sometimes there.
fore, when he found plan utter plan, which he ma
projected for her amusement rejected with peevish
contempt, he could hardly conceal ireTn her his
own wounded feelings. Yet though at times uns
grateful, Emma was perhaps not SO IN fact !; and
she loved her brother better than any else save
her mother. i' TWAS only in moments when hey
her own reflections; for like the majority Of chill
dren in her circumstances, she was ihouehtfnl be-
yond her years-that her conduct scented Vi Kind,
And then when she marked the cleuded express
sion of her brother face she would ask forgiveness
n 30 meek spirit and kissed his cheek 90 afiec.
ionately. that he orgase her almost ID soon as Of-
7 Tended. vsagTT ST
Years thus passed on when one day. after she
had been more than usually reryerse and 1retful,
William, who had been reading to her, on reeeivhg'
.w~l~
by her side, calling her y little lunch 6ack," and
left the room. Ina moment, mwever, his, passions
subsidized, aud returning, he feen@ his sister ntears.
He attempted to pat his arm aSoahd her neck. butg
she repulsed him. ane slipping away. retired to herb
own chamber Her mother soon after learned
what had happened, and goingT to- Emma. found
her upon the bed in panoxvsm Of grief. She en~,
deayored 10 soothe her feelings, but, in vains She
refused to be comforted sac want to die, MOTHER"
she replied to all her endearments; (" have long 5
ielt that was burden TO you ALL" She cried
hcfselfto sleep, that night, and the morrow
too i'll to rise3 The doctor was called ins and warn
ed her against an approaching fever.lp Fer three
days she remained in an uncertain state but on the
fourth the fever came IN earnest and heDGefortra
she was confined TO her pillow, 40 99i Hs 90 y1at
In the meantime, the grefof William had been 7
more poignant even than that Of his sister. Thrice
he had been to her bed side to ask her forgiveness,
and kiss once more her pallid cheek but she
turned her face resolutey away andrefased to re-
cognize him. Afterthese Felapses he WouldsloW-
ly leave the room. and going to his own chamber,
sit brooding for hours over the melancholy donss~
quences Of his rashness. af 81 saeb asd sssDa19voH
Owing to tte, previous enfeebled health Of En-
ma, the fever made rapid progress and il soon be-
came apparent that she must die. William, in ,
consequence ofthe violent aversion Of his
latterly been denied admittance to tile chamber,
though he fingered all day about the door,, eagerly
catching the least word in regard to her state anG
apparently unmindful of all other existence, nefs9
One morning there was evidently a crisis aD- I,
proachingj for the anoeheT and attendants, hurry
ing softly in and out the sufferers chamber, in
quick whispered words gave orders impaired in.
telgence to others. William saw il oil, and with
the quick instinct Of affection, seemed to knUvR
what it fofeboded., Taking his little stool,
therefore; he sat down beside the chamber door,
and waited in silence. In the meantime, the .
mother stood over the dying child, watching while
short, unqniet slumbef held her hack for little
longer Several times sweet smile tuemble& 3
ronnd the sufferers hips, and her arm moved 40 liz 3
pressing something toher bcsomAi Then she aw0xsel
and fixing her eyes upon her mother,c whispered
family, SCI thought William was here FRA sfided
sob was heard at the door, which stood partly oen
Mrs. G----stepped softly ont and leading Will q
liam to the bed side, pointed to ksdying SISTER,
He threw himself upon her rbosbm, and pressing
his lips to hev pale check prayed for forgiveness
Emma did not heed him but looking again into
her mothers face and pointing up~ard,said softly
=" shan't be 90 there, shall Fmother =. r.ggfsss
, "No, my child replied the weeping parent;
!" hope not. But don't talk So Emma Forgive
your brother, or you'll break hish heart" ~, se z
Emma tried to gasp something but whatever ie Il
was oflove or hate. It never reached mortal eapt
IL Q few mgments shevvas no more. -, ST ssn .Fsf
@. paiftev of Massachusetts,. PRAYED the louisi.