The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-10

passed within Around me lay the remains
Of those whose earthly strife had ceased for
ever Here lay grave with its time-eaten
tombstone nearly covered over with the.
long rank weeds that surrounded it, and
close by its side another, bearing traces Of
recent construction. Judging by the man
ner in which the green sod above was trim
med, and bright flowers planted around,
conjecMred that it must engage the atten-
tion of some sorrowing friend Of its cold
occupant All! thought / aloud, the old
man dieth and soon his name passeth away
in his grave; the young man dieth and they
plant flowers over his head but the flowers,
too, have Nteir day to blossom and to die
So it is with all earthly things but al
things are not of the earth! Who knows
what these graves might not say, could they
send forth voice?
s All who knows indeed 70 said deep
tonedyoice behind. 4
! started and turned, for thought not to
meet the living at the home Of the dead +!
There stoodsa gray headed man, holding iii
his hand a bunch of keys; he was dressed
in asneat Sabbath suit, and his eye still
sparkled with the brightness Of former years.
! Immediately OWNED that he was the SEX
ton Of the little church hard by,
g Y Young man." said he, eff you had my
years and my experience, you might well
say who knows'' These graves are mostly
my work for fifty years have followed
out their narrow beds for the departed Of
yonder village, and helped to carry them to
their long sleep Many tear have shed
for parents, children, and friends a
one to witness the grief Of the living left be-
|hind-soon too must take my place by
their side. All how soon like them to be
forgotten!'
Doubtless, good sir, yours can have
been no very pleasant duty; it is always a
sad thing to witness the grief of others be-
reayed.o
/" You are right again, young man." said
ne. "Mine has been a sorrowful task for
many scene have witnessed that would
draw tears from a heart Of stone-grief such
as is not to be found in the hearts of your
city worldHngs. See you those two graves
in the corner yonder? There lies hroken-
hearted mother, and by her side the cause,
her only son! Poor Georgcl many time
have held him in my arms when bright
eyed boy, and never thought that one so
fair and SO noble would one day need my
aid to bear him to his grave Woe to those
who led him astray-ihe day of reckoning
must come at length, and mothers death
will be a heavy burden for them to bear ~
"Will you not relate the tale to me for
see by your countenance that it is an inter
esting one,n said l.
I" Interesting indeed, and sad one too,
for it is a tale of happinesss and prosperity
turned into one OF misery and death you
will listen, will tell you in a few words
the leading facts Of the story, and you will
then understand why this spot is called by
our simple-hearted villagers, sthe mothers
grave.m
We seated ourselves on broad stone slab,
and the old man began -
g Do you see that house hard by Just RI
sing above those noble poplars that sur
round it? 1t is somewhat dilapidated now,
for siA long years have passed away since
they pointing to the graves where borne To-
getber from its doors That was once the
dwelling of a devoted son now it is an
object of superstition, and few would ven
ture to cross its threshold after set of SUM-
! knew them both well once, and no one
could have thought SO much misery was in
store for that mothers heart, or that the seeds
of vice would spring up in that other son.
She was the widow of man who had in
the latter part of his life become dissipa-
ted and abandoned character, and had died
with a curse upon his lips, in fit of insane
drunkenness. This had we'll nigh broken
the heart of the poor wife, but she. lived
on for her son, then boy Of bright talents
and prospects indeed For many years af-
ter the death of her husband she had devoted
herself with untiring energy to the educa-
ton of her boy, for although they had lost
the greater. part Of their former wealth, they
still possessed enough 10 render them com
Portable, George was noble boy, and from
his earliest years had given signs ofthe most
distinguished talents, None could compete
with him either in the school room or in
their boyish sports and although in his ma
lure there was mixture of fiery energy and
self-will, still no one was greater favorite
among all classes of our little community.
A handsomer boy there never was-with
dark chestnut hair, a large flashing eye, and
form Of the purest symmetry. Although
at other times kind and gentle TO all, when
once aroused none dared to disn,Ite his will