Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-10-04

here and try your influence on Charlcs-he
will hardly be able TO refuse you one hour of
his company on your birthday
Amy advanced into the light, and for
moment her cheeks flushed and her eyes
sparkled, as she met Charles IIcrberl's look !
of undsguised admiration. Mrs. Woodleigl,
too, perceived that look, and said, exulting-
ly, Did you ever sec any thing more beau
tifull' then added, with smile, 1 mean
the dress, of course
Already that strange sadness which Amy
had so often seen of late, had slladowed the
brightness of Charles Hcrbert's smile. lie
replied, The dressmakcr seems to have
performed her part wcll-but | saw not the
dress-l was looking at the far more lovely
wearer.'
why, Charles have you turned nat,cr-
err
No, Mrs. Woodleigh-it is no faitery to
tell Amy she is beau,lul-but she will think
me ill-bred when add, that her beauty may
not endure as long as the lace she wears
'You savage do not heed him, Amy
at seventeen you may laugh at old age
and its evils
1T was not of old age thought, A my may
never he old, but disease and death destroy
beauty as surely and far more suddenly than
old age
There was silence in the room, for even
the thoughtless Mrs. Wadeigh's levity was
checked by the solemnity of young Herberl's
manner and his tones, so gentle, SO tenderly
compassionate, had sunk into Amy's heart,
and was thrilling its deepest chords. She
could not even raise her eyes to his as he ap-
preached her, and taking her hand affection
ately, said, Believe me, Amy, few are more
deeply interested in your happiness than
Il have bought you present for your
brlh-day-it is the best of all books-wil
you promise me to read something in it ev-
, cry day. will not prescribe the quantity,
, but something-if it be but a single verse. ,
Amy hesaled: BY the memory of our
, childhood, refbse me not so slight favor,
Amy he added earnestly, and she promised.
The next moment Charles was gone,
leaving in Amy's hand splendidIy bound
pocket Bible, fastened with gold clasp, on
r which her name was engraved. She opened
r it, and on the fly leaf was written, Remem-
S Der your promise, dear Amy, and God bless
! you and give you that spiritual beauty which
will endure for ever
The quick tread of dancing feet and fcs-
r tive song we're soon echoing in those halls
yet in every pause Of dance and song, a
:. still, small voice is sounding in Amy's ear
a - disease, DEATH
!, A year has passed. Another birthday
\ has arrived for Amy Woodegh, but no
preparation is making in her home for its
d celebration. If it is re nembered there "A,
all, it only deepens the gloom overshadowine
: all within lis walls. For many days Amy
has lain in her darkened chamber in pair
and WEAKNESS. To-day, death seems &c
- have come very near to her, Hitherto, the
:, physician has refused admission to her room
u TO any but necessary attendants, but now he
II SAYS he will not oppose her seeing the clcr
= gyman who has spent so many hours of every
: day in anxious inquiries respecting her, OF
= truillcsS endeavors to comfort her sOrrowin!
i parents. The man of God enters that silent
gloomy chamber. AT the door, Mrs. w God
l. leigh clasps his hand, and bursting into pas
y sionate tears, PUSHES from the rOom,-th
stricken father silently beckOns him forwar'
n he advances, and Charles Herbert stand
S beside the seemingly dying companion o
rs his childhood. But can it be - The mos
" vrulent case Of variolo,d have ever seen.
Of the physician had said to HIM, but Charlie
= Herbert can scarcely believe that the diseas
u in all its unmilgaed fury, before Jcnner ha
Us taught us to soften its horrors, could have S
III quickly changed the beautiful Amy Wood
as leigh into the oathsome object before hin
j. For two days the swelling of her face ha
~ sealed Amy's eyes, hut she has heard ste
Us and asks, is that Charles 2
. Yes, dear Amy'-he would have take
her hand, but she shrinks from his touch wit
i. a moan of pain, and then he sees that he
:" hands too are swollen and inhamed.
8. 'Oh Charles !'-she cries, pray that
n. may not die-lhat may not go TO that cole
n. dark grave-Oh father and her words bt
ne came hurried, and her tones startlngIy Wi
to and shri, Oh, father the Doctor lie
/, something for me to take if felt worse
or give il 10 me-give il to me quick-an
At Charleston pray for me before it is to
in late
n Charles took the cup from the tremblin
.e. hands of the father, and said in soolhin
It. voice, Dear Amy, you are in no danger
nv instant deah-you will have hours-yo
re may have days, possibly years, to prepaI
d. for that great scene through which we mus
ut all pass. You know that would not spea
he falsely to you,-therefore compose yonrscl
of dear Amy, that you may be able TO join NJ
on in praying to our gracious Father who's
nd compositions are infinite, who has given ,
en- in Christ Jesus High Priest touched vii
nd a feeling of our inhrmiies,' and in the Hol
Sc Spirit, Comforter who can make even tn
Al. Ill = Gal al,
ed gate of Heaven to our SOULS
lie Our limits permit us not TO linger on tn
- touching scene. Hours passed away, Il,
III physician came and went, the nurse admin.
his tered the prescribed medicines, and still
- with short intervals of rest and thought, tn;
or low, gentle voice sounded in Amy's ear, no
to presenting before her the tender mercy {
God, the infinite lovelness of the Savo
u now encouraging her to rest upon that pre-
lat cious Redeemer, and to open her heart