The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-11-14
THE TIME TO DIE.
BY MISS MARrHA 4. wIswALL, ON AInAN,

- ''A'" i""&'"A ~ "ieWALL, VI ALBANY.
| 1t was winter Cefore cheerful fire sat On aged
man in lonely meditation. The curtains fell in heavy
folds TO the floor, casting an of comfort over the
room, and excluding the piercing cold. Yet ire
NOR passed over the frame Of the old man. as he
storm without fell upon his ear. al am thankful
have shelter on such night this said he
drawing his easy chair nearer to the fire " Wo TO
the wretch that roams abroad in such a storm "
then musiD2 for some time, he began pacing the
room, and ever and anon pausing in deep thought
which at length found expression Death is a lear
| iui thing 10 contemplate at any time, but in
such season as this, methinks | would strug-
gle hard for life. 10 be placed deep in the
cold and frozen EARTH no she herself seems to strive
to prevent the act, and winds her robe OF snow over
hsr strong breast to prevent admttance within her
breast When die, may it be in the bright aud 10Y
Gus spring time when all nature is fresh and gay
But, bark surely did not hear knock, for who
would venture OUT on such night ~ and opening ID.
door, he saw before him young girl who begged for
shelter IN accents 10 excite pity the hardest heart
The appeal was enough for the kind hearted old man
and drawing her within the ROOM he gave her seat
near the fire, and tried to revive her dropping frame
After she had So far recovered as TO answer his IN
quIries, she told him she was lonely creature with
no friend in the world; she had roamed about from
place TO place, living on charity she has known
father or mother, or relative.
The old man still dwelling upon the subject which
had Tor some Time occupied him, asked her If death
would not be welcome messenger TO her as She
had nothing for which TO live, and no one cared for
her,-would she not be willing to die and be at rest
ooh, ask me not 10 give up my life it is sometimes
bright and joyous In the lovely summer the flow
ers my friends, the birds speak TO me from the
trees; and the bee winds his tiny horn for NE, and
then wander iorth TO the green woods, aud life Is
all sweetness, oh, mol youth is no time to die"
Years rolled on the spring appeared gradual,
bright, ue birds rejoced every bough, and al MS
tire smiled TO welcome the blthe Goddess of Spring
But the old man had found new ties to bind him 10
the earth the bouseless wanderer was now a. a
daughter to him his interest in her was too strong
bond to be easily broken. Ii was hard 10 leave be
world now as IN the cold and dreary winter; age
seemed but to strengthen the love of life although
youth was withered and nature dying, yet life
life only was his desire.n
Spring passed, and summer with IFS mild and
bamy air, visited the earth the maiden smiled IN
adness of heart, and the old man reioiced IN her
happiness, Tor she threw JOY and bliss around; her
happy laugh rung upon bis ear in wild and merry
feals as she watched the flight of the gay butterfly,
and her sweet song upon The air as she tended
her buds and watched the opening of each bud 10 the
light Time flew swiftly by, yet The old man and the
maiden were as fondy attached TO the earth az m IL.
spring time. Death gained new horror. as the sea.
sons advanced; their summer paths we're strewnwi,h
flowers. T" Ii was no time 10 die"
Autumn, 18th its purple grape, and downy peach
and pleasant nutiing-tme, took the place of sumncf
and brought with II the ghtness rnd oyo,snes. OF
cool air aud freedom Of the oppressive heat the hi.
tie maiden trppeJ through the dry leaves md
chased the squirrel with almost its own swin,cs.,
then throwing back her sunny curls she bounded f.,
the side of the old man, he sat under The vines Al
his door, making glad his eyes with her bright and
happy face, and his heart grew young again IN her
lghtsome joyous mtth both little thought of death.
The earth had clothed herself IN a robe of brown and
dry leaves, and bid herself from the eye of mau.be
seemed not to wish for bunan company IN ,bi, her
time Of change.
Winter again returned again we see the old man
sitting ~ his easy chair before the bright and yog
IRE; but he Is not the solitary being he was befor,
Tor beside bim Is In the first blush of ,otth and
grace she no longer the gay and noisy child she
Is no less lovely, no less happy, but deeper thought
s'eSis over her lace, aud heavenly radiance SITS up
on her features, as she bends over the book from
which, ~ accents Of deep reverence, she read.
The word of God to the old man.
what think they now Of DEATH The faces Of
Doth look more restrained the Holy Spirit sheds H.
light upon the way which eadeth TO the Grave no
longer seems dark and lonely The old man r. cei,-
ed the heavenly guest into a heart which had AWAY.
been the residence Of kindness and charity 'TLc
maiden now droopcd daily bat she no longer thought
IT hard 10 give up life and when the cold blast
swept over the earth, and the robe of snow eDyel.
optd IT, with robes no less white she wa, received
INTO It's bosom. Then asked the old man. when IS
the time 10 dIeP
"A holy calm was on his brow,
And peaceful was his breath
And swectly DER his features stole
A smile, look divine:
IL. T., a. l.