Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-24
NUMBER IS.



ians were assembled in dsrkened chamber around
the accomplished Mrs. L. The anxious counter.
ances,ihe light tread, the half suppressed breathing
Of the attendants, the solemn stiffness that perval
ded the whole group, told too plainly their fearful
apprehensons that the disease Of Mrs. L. would
battle all human skill, and prove fatal TO the suffer-
er. She had been suddenly arrested, in the full
flow Of health, by disease that had locked up all
her senses in lethargc stupor, from which the skill
Of the physicians and the assidious efforts Of SYM
pathising friends, could not arouse her. The loss
Of such friend under any circumstances could not
be but severely felt and the affection would seem
greatly increased, were she to pass into the world
OF spirits without any communication with those
who might still llnger behind For several years
she had been ornament to the church, and her
friends earnestly desired TO know whether her re-
ligiOn proved an unfailing support when passing
through the valley Of the shadow Of death;
and when in the course of his prayer. the clergy
man entreaed the Lord that her consciousness and
power Of speech might, f consistent with Divine
WILL be restored, most earnestly did every heart Join
ia the request
When all the means which affection and profess
ional sagacy could suggest had been tried in vain,
her liule son, who had Just learned to articuste a
few words, was brought into the room. With min
gled fear and wonder he gazed upon bis mother,
and upon the attendants, watching in silence the is
sue Of the disease Mama, ma, ma said the lit
words effected, as il by some mysterious power,
what other appliances failed to accomplish the
mother opened her eyes, and slowly stretching out
her hand and beckoned for her son. He was plac-
ed in her arms; in low voice she commended her
oG.pring TO God, and prayed that he might meet
her in heaven. This was her last prayer in few
hours that son motheress.
The scene now changes We pass over the in
terva Of twenty years. and find the son in College
The noble and commanding form Of William L.,
his urbanity Of manners and diligence in study,
soon won him the esteem OF faculty and students.
During the first year he held high rank in his
class, and gave promise Of high usefulness. But
College life puts young mans principles to a Sc
we're test. is state of trial and exposure during
which youth is safe, withou, devoted piey, Sc.
curity which William L., did not possess. He
formed unfortunate connections with several idle
Students the effect Of which was soon apparent in
his Rotations. He was admonished Of his dan
ger, but seemed as il spell-bound by some fascina-
ton from which he could not escape.
1t had been justly said that idlencss is the parent
OF many vices; so il proved in the present instance.
idleness led on to dissipation; and aiter repeated
admonltons and fruiiless efforts 10 reclaim him,
William L.,was expelled from College a dsunkard
Small indeed did the probability that his moth.
ers last prayer would be answered
William returned to his home. The report Of
his expulsion from College, and the cause of il,
4
and sounded in their ears like the knell Of his pros
poets and hopes. Still they endeavored to throw
around him such influences and associations as
would restore his sefrespect and with all the ell
| oqnence and pure affection they besouqht him to
abandon at once and forever the intoxicating bowl
| Their earnest entreaties led him to moderate, in
some degree, his excess, but produced no radical
reformation and his friends, weared with unavail-
ing efforts, we're beginning 10 conclude that they
must give up his hopeless.
One dark cloudy evening, William was sitting
| alone in his chamber nusng upon the great change
that had within few years come over his pros
| poets, when his uncle entered the room and pro-
posed a walk. William put on his hat and accom-
panied him. Whether by accident or design, they
walked IN the direction OF the grave yard, and soon
found themselves by the grave ot Mrs. l.. The
white tomb'stones around, scarcely visible IN the
darkness, read silent but impressive lesson on the
irall'y OF man. AS they were leaning on the grave
stone oil Mrs L., the uncle gave William descrlp-
ton OF her character and the circumstances attend
ing her DEATH particularly her dying prayer that
he might meet her IN heaven and now, said he.
taking William by the hand, will you meet her in
heaven, or will you die drunkardr William
burst out into tears, and sunk down upon his moth
er's grave overwhelmed with emotion The dark
ness without was but faint emblem Of the darkness
and horror within. Guilt, remorse, shame. stung
him TO an intensity Of anguish such he had new
er before known. His life passed in rapid review;
his talent wasted-hs time missPent-repuiaiion