Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-05-01
CHAPTER Y.

Patty loss Gher mother was qn'ctKiy
known; and as quickly was the chamber
of death filled with poor nelghbours-'he
nacdy, suffering, sQualid, aye, and even
vicious denzens Of that miserable. ietld
alley. Touched by sympathy, in the very
fitness of heart, utter destIIut pro'ler'
ed service aud assistance to the motheress
qirl-when its only aid was a confirming
Iook its only means, the starting tear: ma
,prc, rorrc,rnl of its worldly desitullon,
smoke ONLY from the abundance of It's
piy. 3D. care-ined 0ccs-wilh the ng-
hucss of habituaI wan, sharpening aud
deformng lhem--Iooked kind and gentle,
for the time refined and humani2ed by the
awakened spirit of human love. These
pressed about the sufferer, and with rlie|
words Of comfort--NIlh old and common
phrases of compassion, (thc best rhetoric
the takers had to oITtr,) tried TO soo'he
the stricken girl, God help herr cried
an old crone, with melting looks, though
with the features Of syblI. God miU
help herr cried young creature, sohbIng,
whilst the tears ran down her cheeks. So
earnest was the voice, that Patty raised
her head from her hands, and her eyes
meeting the eyes of her girl nelghbor--ot
the poor reckless thing, often so needless
and laughing in her very despair, Patty
felt communion OF heart in the deep SIN
cerity Of that assurance of Gods help, and
through her tear, smiled dlmy, yet thank
fully, alIactlonately on her comforter.
Happily, the kindness of Mr. Llntlcy, the
apothecary, rendered the assistance Of the
neiahbors-couId they have offered any
beyond the kindness ofmero words-need-
less. Liutey was doomed to, perhaps,
the most penal condition of poverty; that
is, TO an outside show Of comfort, with
that gnawing, swapping fox penny, eating
20 the bowels within; was one Of the thou
sand grown-up Spar,ans who, with aching
hearts and over-laded faculties, turn a
shining outside look on London Streets
Nevertheless, Lin,Iey determined that Pat
tvs mother should not 90 to the earth in
workhousc deals; for though his philosophy
smiled at the vanlies Of the undertaken,
i, had stiII,iu its very elevation, the better
part of philosophy, benign and charitable
consideration for the weakness, the prcjn
dice, yea, for the folly others. Thus, all
things necessary for that last scene of life
in which the man, though dead, silII
plays a part-were duly ordered at the
charge of Mr. Lintey, and, how few the
hours! Patty sat aud worked beside her
cuiIlned mother.
Now, child, do come down stairs-do,
now: youth be comfortable there urged
an old woman, a !odror, to Patty, seeking
to win her from the place Of death.
'rhank you, am better horc-hnppicr
indeed am said Patty, with sweetest
mcckncss.
'WetI, but it's getting late and dark,
said the woman, 'and amt you afraid?
Afraid! or what should be alraid?'
asked the girl.
We'll, to he sure, for Young thing
you've a bold Ieart; but when | was girl,
| conll have no more stayed alone with
any body dead
Not If you loved Them? interrupted Pat
IT,
'Why, loves something, to be sure; but
still death, my dear, YOU know
'Takes fear from love, and as | feel it,
makes love stronger. loved her when
she was here, and must not love her
sill more love her--now she is IN angel! |
! tell You it comforts me to be alone-lt
does, indeed. said Patty.
We'll, to be sure' if ever! vino could
have hnnght' and the old woman would |
have proceeded in her cXcIamaIons.
But if yoa',l be kind enough to stand |
here till come back from MIR FIamIngo
'To be sure, Mrs Shroudly and NE will
stay, said the woman.
You will 50 serve me! In half an hour
shall have finished my work, | shall soon
be hack
and You'll sleep here alone in thisroom
to night? asked the querIst.
For a moment Patty could not speak:
then, with a torrent oitearS, and voice OF
anguish, she answered-It is the last.
The weIl-meaning neighbour left the
ROOM and by the last light of golden An-
gust evening, Patty completed her task
Her work was done; and the room darken.
ed, darkened abou, her. She sat fearless,
seIfsustaned in the gloom; her thoughts
made solemn and strengthened by The al
mosphere Of death which fell upon her
,,,;ri, Sbn Coli A. IN hrlv nrnsprcn