Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-09
Ito be completed in three humble
THE LONELY BURIAL.
~ MRs. e6RoLINE N. sAwyER.
IA sA CHAPTER |.


lightful day; the trees scattered here and there
throughout the city we're beginning to put forth
their leaves, as if in gratitude for the warm suns
and genial showers of that charming month
Every thing looked gay and smiling, ASH Joy
pervaded the whole earth. Yet was there sor-
row in the secresy Of many dwelling, for while
life vas .springing up anew throughout the vege-
tablelword, death had not forgotten his mission
a.fong the sons of men.
The sun had long since past its meridian, as
we gathered around new made grave; the coi-
fin was lowered into it's cold, narrow receptacle,
and its Silent tenant at last reposed in the house
for all living
1t was wife and mother to whom we were
rendering the last sad offices of respect and al
lection, and as the grating and crealIing OF the
cords on the side of the coffin, as they carefully
removed them, announced that the body was
safely deposited the low, sthed sobs of the be-
reaved husband, and the half smothered wall of
motherless little ones, fell in heart-plercing tones
on the ear Tears were rung from eyes that
had long been unused to weeping, and strong
and kindly sympathy was awakened even in the
LuDSg bdICiCSA ~, lOL dill Cdil ACCi nov DS'NN
must be the stroke which sewers a mother from
dNfamilyoof .he pless children, and deprives an
affectondte husband Of the wife Of his BOSOM
and the partner of his paterna cares. '
The first shovel-full of earth fell dull and hea-
Willy upon the coffin, when the minister, rever-
emily uncovering his head an example which was
initiated by all present, slowly and emphatically
pronounced burial service. 1t was deeply
interesting scene, and as the expressive words,
" Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, "
broke in deep and solemn intonatlons on the sur
pounding stiffness, never shall | forget the new
and untold feelings that sunk with them into my
heart. After few touching words of consola-
ton had been presented to the mourners, short
andlapproprate prayer was offered up to the Fa-
Their of all spirits, and the grave was filled up.
The long train of relatives and friends now
turned sadly away from the hallowed spot, and
slowly left the grave yard; some occupied in
speaking Of the merits and amiable disposition
of the young and lovely mother, whom they
were never again to behold in this world some
in discussing business prospects, the important
events, of the day, while others still--those tC
whom the departed was most near and dear
walked on in musing and fearful silence.
stood by the side of the minister, and We
were turning to.follow them when our attention
was arrested by little group standing in cor
81 ner of the grave yard not far distant 1t con
sisted of an aged man and woman, who appear
ed bowed down either with sorrow or with years
little boy, apparently about four years of age
and another person, who seemed to be an under
taken The couple, with the little boy between
them, each holding him by hand, stood on on
side Of a little grave, which the undertaken wa
busiIy engaged in filling up. The task wa
soon completed, the turfnicely smoothed over tn
mound, and the undertaken carelessly departed
But the solitary pair still fingered, apparent
unable to tear themselves from the spot. AT last
however, the old man picked up two stone
which was lying near, and placing one at tn
HEAD and the other at the foot of the little grave
as ifto mark it, they, turning away with falter
ing steps, slowly walked towards the gate. A
they drew near the spot where we yet rename
standing we embraced the opportunity to oil
serve them more narrowly. They were humbl
though not meanly attired, and the fashion c
their garments, though not differing in re
markable degree from the fashions then in vogu
in New York, still had foreign cast, and
was evident that they strangers in strang
land
They seemed quite unconscious that any on
% beside themselves yet remained in the church
yard SO absorbed were they in their own grie
and we could therefore look at them without tn
, fear of wounding their Sensibiity. As the W.
man turned to look at their little charge, sa
that tears were fast streaming down her tint
worn cheeks, which, in her desoaton, sh
sought not to wipe away; but not so with he
companion his eyes were dry and fearless, an
there was sternness and rigidity mingle
with the deep sorrow stamped on his features
which seemed strange and unnatural in one $
old The little boy looked up with wonderin
eye into the face of his protectors, seeming qui
unable to comprehend the cause of their grl
and silence, or his own situation.
As we silently regarded this little group, Their
was forornness in their appearance, thus eI
tirely unfriended and alone, that went to OF
hearts; for never are the kindness and sympatl
our loved ones in their last narrow home. B
to stand alone by the grave of perhaps our on
friend and all uncheered by the sacred offic
Of the minister of God, to assist, with our ow
hands, in depositing that loved one in its la
be- resting place, and then to turn away, to all Il
Va forlornness and desolation of utter helplessn e;
seems drop too much for human nature, in
weakness to endure.
We would have followed and addresst
the solitary mourners, who were now leaving IL
+, yard, but we feared to invade the sanctity
grief, even with words of consolation, lest
might be attributed to an idle and unmeanir
q, curiosity. We therefore suffered them to pa
from our sight as they had first met tut
strangers
's 2 Two or three months went by, but that lor
Nv h,,riaI was not FORGOTTEN Often when ,