The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-08-12
Youths Department.
"a LITTLE HUNG BACK X"
AN AFFECTING INCIDENT

al have just returned from the funeral of poor
Emma g., little gill TO whom have been
for years most tenderly attached. As there was
something very touching in the circumstances con-
nected with her death, will relate them to you -
She was the daughter of widow,a neighbor ormine.
When first knew her, she sprghtly child Of
about four years ofnge, perfect in form and feature,
The bloom of health was upon her cheek; her eye
wrs tho brightest ever saw; while in her bosom
there gowed generous affection that seemed TO en-
brace all with whom she in contact But when sine
reached her sever III year her health began to decline
The ddenIy paled upon her cheek, & her eye
lad actually acquired pemuturely that sad, thought
fn expression which gives so melancholy charm
TO the features Of wasting beauty Her mother look
ed on with anxious heart, and at an utter loss to
account for sndden change in her health. But
a source Of aniety appeared. While dress
ing her day she observed on Emma's back, just
between her shoudes,n small swelling, of about the
size OF walnut. As she watched this spot, and OBJ
served that grew lager from day to day, the moth
er began to have sad msgvings, These, however,
she kept TO herself for time. Soon afterwards, a
slight stoop in her gait became visible. The family
physician called in, and the worst forebo-
dings of the mother were confirmed. Her idolized
child was fast becoming hunchback.
will 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
10 say her love well seemed TO be redoubed,
and Emma became more than the child of her
affections Nor did her little companions neglect her
when she could longer join in their outdoor
sports and her own sprighy step had given place to
n slow STOPPING gait and the sweet ringing voice to
sad querulous tone, that sometimes made the very
heart ache On the contrary We'd with each other
in administering to her amusements. Among them,
none chung TO her with more assiduity than her
brother William, who the nearest TO her own
age. He gave up all his out door play, in order to
he with her, and he seemed so happy when
he could draw smile sad though it was, from her
thoughtful features.
But after a while Emma grew hayward under her
affection; and unfortunately, though generally good
natured William had quick temper to check which
required more self command than commonly falls TO
one so young. Sometimes therefore, when he found
plan after plan, which he had projected for her amuse
ment, rejected with peevish contempt he could hard
ly conceal from her his wounded feelings, Yet
though at times ungrateful, Emma perhaps not so
in fact; and she loved her brother better than any
one else save her mother 1t was only in moments
when her too sensitive nature had been chafed per-
hnps by her reflections; for like the Majority of
children in her circumstances, she thoughtful be-
yond her years.-that her conduct seemed unkind-
And then, when she marked the cloudy expression
of her brothers face she would ask forgiveness in
meek spirit and kiss his cheek in such affection
ate manner, that he forgave her almost rs Of
Tended.
Years thus passed on, when one day after she had
been more than unusually perversc and fret(n, Will
lam VINO had been reading TO her, receiving some
slight rebuff, started suddenly from his seat by her
side, called her ga little hunch- back" and left the
room. In moment, however, his passion subsidized,
and returning, he found his sister in tears. He at
tempted to put his around her neck, but she
pulsed him, and slipping away, retired to her own
chamber. Her mother after learned what had
happened, and going to Emma, found her upon the
bed in as paroxysm of grief. She endeavored 20
soothe her feelings but in vain; she refused to be
comforted. "I want to die, mother,' she replied
to all her endearmens; al have long felt that a
burden to you all. She cried herself TO sleep that
night, and on the too i'll TO rise. The
doctor was called in, and warned tho mother against
in uncertain state; but the fourth the fever
came in earnest and thenceforth she confined to
her pillow.
In the mean time the grief Of William had been
more poignant than that of his sister. Thrice
he had been to her bedside ask her forgiveness and
kiss once more her pad cheek; but she turned her
face resoutely away and refused to recognize him
After these repuses he would slowly leave the room
and going to his chamber sit broodng for hours
over the melancholy consequences of his rashness-
Owing to the previous enaebed health of Emma the
fever made rapid progress and it became appa-
tent that she must die. William in consequ ence of
the violent aversion OF his sister had atery been de-
MED admhtance to the chamber, though he fingered
all day about the door, eagerly catching the least
word in regard to her state. and apparently unmnd-
full of all other existence
One morning there was evidently crisis approach
ing; for the mother and attendants, hurrying softly
in and out the sufferers chamber, in quick whispered
words gave orders impaired intelligence to others.
William saw it all, and with the quick instinct of af-
lection, seemed to know what it foreboded Ia
king his little stool therefore he down hesda