Columbus Whig. (Columbus, Miss.) 1843-18??, 1844-03-21
For the Wing.
THE WIDOW

| On cold unpleasant day in May, which
might we'll have been taken for November day
but for the fresh green Of the grass and trees, ]
looked from the window upon the cherries
prospect. Beside me stood lady, in deep mour-
ming. Sadness rested on her countenance,' vel
occasionally smile passed over it, be traying
the natural cheerfulness of her disposition. On
the lawn in front of us stood lilac tree, bear
ing single blossom, lit had opened amid SUM-
shine, the song of birds, and the pleasant breeze
Dark clouds were above it, cold winds shook il
rudely, and it seemed striving but vainly, to
catch one CLEAN of the sunshine, that had well
coined its birth. "Look" said my eompan ion
'at that solitary lilac" IT'S said she, it is a
lone ore" Half smiling, she sighed deeply,
while her eyes thev met mine, were filed
with tears. She resumed her seat, and seemed
lost in deep and painful thought-perhaps she
called to mind the happy days when that lilac
was first planted; perhaps she thought of the
hand that watercd it, now cold, and Wondering,
of the eye which watched and welcomed its
opening buds, now lustreless and dead, like
me, was struck with the resemblance between
his situation and that Of the lonely lilac, as
had thoughtlessly called it. She was born under
the sunshine, nursed in the lap of plenty, and
beloved by all around her. Eighteen months
before, she was blessed with all on earth that
could make her happy-the fondest ofhusbands,
the kindest of mothers, the lovcliest of babes,
were hers. Such was her situation, when the
blight came. Disease and death fell upon the
happy family--her fondest hopes were crushed
he whom she loved better than life was stretched
upon he'd of suffering; the strong man was
brought low, his powerful mind grew feeble,
memory failed, and nothing was left but the
wreck ofthat noble spirit. Yet even here, our
Heavenly Father showed his mercy. Though
on every other subject, TIE sufferers mind was
impaired, still on the one, all~important, the
hope oflife beyond the grave, it was clear, every
other string was broken. but touch that, and the
harp sent forth sweet music. While thus he
lay, lowering between life and death, the des>
troying angel smote the bud of promise, clasp
ing in his cold arms the youngest and love;Iest
of all. Anxiety for the suffering one sustained
the almost broken hearted mother, bat death
had not yet finished his strange work, and while
she was watching over her husbands sick bed,
Re suddenly snatched away the mother Three
months passed, and her husband was no more
She was indeed lone widow-two little chill
dren were all the ties that bound her to life
Years past-silently had watched the course
of the widow. She had found few friends her
children had been blessings to her, and promls-
ei soon to become useful members OF society.
Dark clouds had rolled over her, the storm had
lasted long; now the rainbow of promise was
seen: brighter day dawned. she forgot the Sc
we're lesson she had learned. Again she trusted
TO earth, as if the joys Of life could never fail
With pride she gazed upon her son,the Im1ge CT
his sire and fondly hoped that he would De the
comfort of her life, the solace and support OF her
ace. Mistaken woman. Night came on the
ra;nbow's briIlisnce had vanished. Consumption
had seized her son. Slowly and steadily ne
wasted way, gently descending to the tomD' Ont
a raw of light marked his path. for the bright
homes of the Gospel were his. Now the widows
rdol was again torn from her. She was LETT Win
= delicate daughter to struggle on, as best sne
r,,rht. in a cold and heartless world. At hrst,
..he WAS left to murmur against her God, and
..;,st his love, who had 80 often chastened
hor hut soon q change came over her, aad she
vas happy happier, far than when she an
".;.,ed the first warm kiss, on the broW Of nei
frsf harm. Strange that she couId De 30 naPPy:
her husband, her mother, her babe, her only
o III zone to the grave. while she wa: kept in
sol =. of adversity; q lone widow! Why
~ WAS she, aI,e happyf God had breathed peace into
Va 81 hpd shed the calm light Of resignation
over owe her pad s~adshown her that bis dealings
| with her. had been through tender love- ana
that az he cav her heart cling to Earsns No na0
taken her earthly treasures 70 faeaSsn'