The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-05-02

should disturb The slumber that was steal
ing over the child lis cslmrsgulsr breathing
was music 10 her ear the smiles that,
broke like CLEANS of shunshine, on lis
sweet, sleeping face soohed her, and stole
into her thoughts. Full Of faith anu hope,
she commended that precious one TO the
cafe CT her Saviour. and when so ne srug
ling wish would arise, tho, she might have
lived TO protect aud cherish il, still she
could cay in sinceriy'ln Him is my trust
Long pas, midnight, The old nurse was
awakened from deep sleep by hasly
step advancing across the apartment. ~
was The lold Of Elmwood, who ,hus .,ardIly
his evenings amusement. being concu
ded--auswere bis summons.
q am here Elesnor:'he said, withdraw
iuglhe curtain; 'why dfa you send for
,mc3 No voice repled;and he moved the
lamp so as TO throw its ligh, on the bed.
Tie sight that me, his eyes touched e.,
ven him. The lady his wife dead; on
her bosom, lis rosy cheek touching her
cold lips, its round arm thrown abou'
her neck, lay her infant, in its calm,
hoppy sleep. He bent over them-gsz'
ed upon that faded form, now awful in|
lis stiffness, and on that joyful infant so
full Of life and happiness. He remem-
bered, as he looked on the dead, her pa,
thence, her humility, her unfsiing sub
mission 10 his capricious will; he re-
membered TOO what life of solitude he
had condemned her,and then he though,
OF her as she was when he first saw, her
and when those eyes looked lovingly
upon him, 'Only stew hours ago, she
was even as his slave, trembling at his
word, obedieni 10 his will. Now per-
haps, she was pleading her cause sgansI
him before the throne Of god. Oh, III
he had but come earlier! if he only
could have heard one word of forgiv
ness from those lips, which, in their
silence seemed ye, 10 whisper that he
had been a murderer!
fIe turned away. Take the child =
he said, hoarsely. 'Tske it way from
here she is dead He left the room
The nurse followed, and put paper in
his haud:
rhe be gone,' she said.
He ihrIst il into his bosom, and hur.
ried into his study, where having CAREFUL
sly closed the door he again drew il forth
and began 70 read. 1t was q short let
ter. dated bu, two days back.
Something mus, say 10 you;'-so
i-was Notwithstanding must say
of slthe thoughts that now. m my last
hours, crowd upon my brain. i have no
friend 10 sit beside my death bed, and
listen TO my last words; no friend 10 go
with me 10 the threshold Of the grave,
and uphold me when my faith fallerS.
alone and uncared for, wait death
sometimes full Of fear, sometimes eager
ly looking for IFS coming. For years
have had no other friend but my Goi
he alone has heard the voice of my sor
rows, and he alone is with me now.
DO not fear word of reproach from
me. My shor, life has been sad one
bu, il is 10 you owe the only dream ol
gisdness that has cheered il. For thos,
few months, during which l believed,
was dear 10 you, ! was perfectly happy
! know my belief ives 10 vain, but | dt
not blame you. Our love is no, ou
own 10 give and take back as we will.
1T is strange, that though years hav'
passed since was undeceived-yesr
10 which you have repulsed all my ei
fdrts to win yonr confidence, and to b
TO you even bu, a companion, whe
Others failed you, yet now, ell that Ion
interval of g,ief is forgotten; and ever
kind word you spoke in that hOppe
lime seems sounding 10 my ear ono
more.
'Hni why do | say this 10 you? Thos
hind Wntda emma npl frnn1 vnnr baoI