The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-10-11

fS"'
now she is dying
There was a history in the boys few words. a his
tory of unsuspecing logo, aud cruel lreachery. Oh.
that man can be infamous as to bgh, tho Caires,
Of liie's flowers, and turn the warm and innocen,
heart into gloomy sepulchre Can there be thought
can there be looliug-cnn there be a soul in him
who thus makes the heart desolato and despairing2
The viciim once innocent, once happy, overpowered
by misery yields her breath and dies; and he the be-
trayer-her destroyer, Aourishes But whittier does
MS career lead him! Life is but span; and though
the wicked triumph therein their triumph is but for
the moment-the reward of the sufferer is eternal!
! lett an inclination to see Claudine once more /
was anxious about her fate, and that she should have
proper attendance. As the boy repeated his express
sion Of sorrow that had gone away so suddenly on
the previous evening, promised him that would
call again on tho following day.
oh, will you said tho little fellow. We shall be
so pleased 10 see you, and know it will give Cau-
dine pleasure too
True TO my promise, the following morning,
entered the humble cottage of the parents Of Clau-
dine. The boy and the mother were there, the fifth
or was out pursuing his occupation The poor woman
overwhelmed me with thanks and said that Clnudine
had asked for mo many times. SHE would have
died upon the cold road. bat for YOU said tho good
woman.
Presently was conducted TO Claudue's chamber
The hapess girl lay upon her small pallet; the scene
was silent and solemn. Across the latticed window
the vine threw its foliage, screening the chamber
from the intrusion Of the sunbcams Everything was
remarkable for its neatness and order in tho place.
CIaudine fixed her eyes upon usT entered; pres
emily they sufTused with teaa. sat down
by her bedside. 'And how is Clnudine day, said
She closed her eyes for moment, and motioned
with her head to signify that her case was hopeless;
and then she put her hand forth, and taking mine
within hers, endeavored to raise il to her lips bet her
strength was not sufficient and her hand fell to her
side. She sighed ut this indication of her debility |
but spoke 10 her in words of consolation and hone |
and endeavored 10 encourage her thoughts of life
md happiness. But all hope seemed 10 have ned |
from her, save that which she had in heaven.
In the course Of tho morning, she able TO speak
to me, and found that her greatest fear was that her
prayer was not heard on high slow can a sinner
like myself murmurcd she hope to be heard or have
prayer received
endeavored TO her of the mercy of the Gre
ator, and succeeded at length in calming her mind,
and removing her apprehensIons 1t was then that
she mentioned Frederic. had abstained from nam |
ing her berayer, fsarru! Of the consequences; but
she spoke of him with composure. Il forgive
him, deeply though he has wronged me, and if | dar
ed would breathe prayer to heaven for him, for
surely lie mus, need our prayers!' And then she
clasted her hands, and her lips moved as ifsuppca
ting pardon for her betrayer.
At this moment loud cry was heard below. The
brother of Caudino, who had remained there, called
for his parents to down,and his cries were min
gled with exclamation oft repeated in a tone Of
great agony and exhaustion, '.Hm Itoo late
Gracious heaven! that voicer exclaimed the moth
err of the dying girl, and before had time 10 make
enquiry as to the matter, the poor woman had left
the room, and presently heard her endeavoring to
prevent from ascending the stairs. The in
truder uttered but one sentence, and that in a
tone as If his whole heart and soul was absorbed in
the question, AIM too laie.'
The effort Of the stranger enter strong
be resisted, and in a moment pale man exhausted
and covered with dust, rushed into the room, and
he entered, he repeated his cry, '9m too later
Alas the hear tsricken Claudne had recognized the
well known voice and features Of her berayer, and
had fallen back upon her bed ,and there she lay seem,
ingy lifeess; her lips quivered not, and her hand
was cold and powero The lrenzied youth fell on
his knees at the bedside, and in frantic tone, sup
plicated heaven TO restore her to him, whom he still
loved, and TO whom he DESTROYS Of making repa-
ration. lie had been led away from virtue and truth
by the pleasure which his fortune commanders but
having proved their hoowness, lie had returned ,like
the wearied dove from its wanderiDgs the dreary
waste of the world to the ark of his happiness the
heart and home of Caudne.
Frederic believed the maiden TO be really dead and
no gave himself up to despair. But perceived that
she was only overcomcby the sudden shock OF his ap
poarance and requested him to restrain his emotions
while and the good mother ondeavored to restore
Claudiue Our efforts soon produced the desired ef-
feet Claudine awakened in the world. Sec look
ed around the room, nquringly, as if in search of
some object she had behed in dream, and when
her eyes rested upon the dropping pentent at her
feet, she gazed him for moment with fixed expires
sion, and then her emotion vented itself in tears.
'Caudine, Claudine, forgive me! Oh, forgive !
men cried the youth in a tone of passionate emotion.
al have nothing to forgive murmured the girl; my !
heart has already made peace with all earth My |
thoughts now for my own peace with heaven
Bless thee, bless thee, Claudne! Live, oh live,