The Arkansas banner., 1846-03-18


 Thou art gone, and for eyer'' IE5 # ScoTT. i OLD MARGARET, a domestic, who had been familiar to the mansion of Dr. Single ton for eight and twenty years, was tie first who came to accost me. Familiarity and custom had made her privileged person, and almost as one of the family; for to add 10 her other claims, she ha been the nurse of her who was no more. As we met in the lobby she put forth one hand to me, as with her other she raised her apron to her eyes and wept aloud, saying, '.Ah.. is it you at length? Come away, 5Ir. Henry. Had you been here earlier, perhaps my sweet young mistress had not died so soon-but il is all over now ID
 My kind old preceptor seemed utterly dis consolate, and, while he talked of resigna- ton, the big tears chased each other down his venerable cheeks. For some time neither could utter a syllable, and we sat down in silence. Al length he welcomed my arrival, as the funeral was to take place on that day; and, at my request to be led to the room where the remains of his beloved daughter lay, the moulnful boon was immediately granted
 Oh, death! death! thou art an awful, ter rife thing. How altered was the counen- ance of the beautiful It was pale, and cold and frozen, in all it's lineamenls. Shrouded in the habiliments of the grave, 1t lay like a waxened mage-a stiff insensate form, maniled in plaled folds and melancholy ruffles. My heart died within me, as l sur veyed the awful change wrought by the de- stroyer; and, taking the chill hand in mine, could not help muttering involuntarily to myself-is this the object of all my desires Is this what pined for
 ..Day and night,
 With love and longings iafnite;'' The lid of the coffin rested agains the wall read, on the silver plate, the name and the age of it's inmaie: 'sAnna Singleton, aged Nineteen" And as lowering around itwere the figures of angels, with palms in their hands-fgures, that though the work of hu- man craft, seemed visible heIalds from the region of "the Shadow of Deah.'
 And such is earthly hope, methought, and such is earthly have done with them. glorious image filled the vacancy of my soul it has been dashed from its pedestal, and none other shall ever occupy it's place.
 Farewell to the vanities of the world
 In the depth of my sorrow, had prayed that death might carry me of, for wished to die, tl;at might be buried in the same grave with her loved, but the iron aspect of the destroyer repelled me; themoveless calm of silence mortified me; its everlasting s.oh- cir 1ot,i I al, life, with all it's misery, as the shpwrecked sailor clings to the floating plank, though aware that the surges can only float han to a strange and uninhabited shore. The dull gray cloud of desolaton fell over spirit, and 1 felt that happiness was no more for me- Sunshine was to be for ever a thing of the past.
 Pacing to the window, rested my arm on the sash, aud gazed abroad over the gar den into the fur country. The afternoon was gloomy: and the wind sighed through the leafess trees, which waved to and fro as fin mockery of my grief. Large rain-drops beat against the panes, and tnekled down the frame 1 felt sccnsolate-exstence was like polar shore-earth, the abode of cheer less discomfort The distant mills were bare and dim, and heard fitlully the low of the oxen in the plashy meadows; then, turning round with despairing spirit and bereaved heart, felt myself alone with the dead in d solitary chamber, and beheld the silver-shiel- tled coffin with it's white-robed lifeiess ten ant.
 took a last, lingering loDk--tlfe fountain of tears was dried up, could not weep-i tried to tear myself away, but could not The ssdread note of preparation" sounded in my ears, and from the tread of footsteps, the opening and shutting of doors, and the gra- ting of successive carriage-wheels on the gravel, was made aware that the funeral hour approached. Big drops of perspiration, extorted by the agony of my sensations, trickled down my forehead, and, to supplant the levered strength of my over eXertIon all my former fcebleness returned Every thing seemed in motion, and, staggering, as II through intoxication, saak upon the floor.
 Whatfollowed, know not; but when per ception returned, found myself ln bed, Tn a darkened room s'It is all over now." l ex- claimed. ssWe parted without so much as one mute farewell look She sickened with out my approaching to cheer her suffering couch by a1ectonate office, or soothing word. She died without my giving her a farewell kiss; and they have laid her in the cold, dark grave, while was sumbenng on the bed of apatby!'' Arise, awake, dreamer to thy dnty-to shame-to a sense of thy misery. dashed my clenched fist against my brow, and groaned aloud in agony of
 
 spirit.
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