Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-08-05

the thought tina, she was thereby more worthy Of
the long absent but welbeloved one. Then. too,
Stella would turn from the past TO the dim future,
and sometimes even weep that she would never be-
hold the face OF her chld--that the blind mother
would not trace, in its opening beauty. likeness
10 the features more dear to her. And then, with
these mother thoughts, came memories OF her own
lost parent in solemn sweetness leading her from
earth to heaven.
Thus the time wore on Philips anguish was hi
led by the happy hopes FOR the FUTURE and S,ellas
brow wore holy calmness. One only. an aged
woman who had nursed her in her infancy, shook
her head as she looked mournfully on the changing
cheek and transparent hands; she knew well that
The mysteries Of the coming birth alone kept away
the dread phantom, whose shadow already hung
over the blind mother.
The hour Of trial came; i brought moments
Joy, and then the gloom OF despair In lew days,
The faint wailing cry Of the young spirit which had
entered the world Of care hushed and silently,
slowly the mother was following her babe TO heay-
en-. No earthly power could save her, and Philip
knew IT, As still and speechless as her whose life
was ebbing away on his bosom, the husband walled
for death TO take his treasure from his arms.
Stella lay in the heavy slumber which tempora-
ry delrium had left behind She did not even
know on whose a1guish-riven bosom her head rest,
ed. Once only she spoke like one dreaming
4 see her-there, there with white garments
Mother, am coming; only let me bid him fare
WE'LL And her lips closed, murmurng Philips
name.
An hour before death her senses returned She
babe Philip kiss her. then whispered family
i am content, my husband, my beloved You
will come, too. soon, oh soon. There is no dark
ness there
She felt for his hand, laid il on her heart and
spoke no more. Death stole over that gentle one,
not with gloom aud sorrow, but with the peaceful
shadow Of a chids sleep.
Let US pause for moment 10 think Of Death
Death as he comes in the midst Of life and youth
and love- when the world is yet sweet, and the Jour
ney has been too short for the limbs grow weary
Yet. even so blessed are they who never know the
burthen and heat of the day TO them the Dread
Presence comes as whi,e-winged angel, ere they
have time 10 invest him with shadows that are alone
the creation Of mans fearful heart. lie comes
smiling to wat them from earths pleasures TO those
which are eternal Ii is better depart while love
roses are blooming. Than 10 lnger until they fade.
Therefore, blessed are the young who die beloved
and loving still And for those, few in years, but
many in sorrows, who have already seen the sun oil
hope set ere noon-who would keep the poor
mourning ones from their rest Thus let us think
Of thee o Death gentle unlooser Of lles burthen,
who foldest thy calm, still arms round the weary
Frame and eavest the immortal spirit TO rest rejoc.
ing unto God.
For months after the death Of Stella. the world
was blank 10 Philip Armytsge. His noble mind
was wreck, and il at times glimpses of reason and
intellect came, like wandering meteors through the
ruins, they only showed more plainly the mourniu
desolation Around. One soft woman's voice, and
gentle womsns hand had power over him in bis
widest moods, they were those of Mrs Lyle. Many
though, that his brain had recovered from tht
fearful lightning stroke, SO that any great sorrow
was sure to overthrow reason forever But The love
{ which had suffered much, and then been rven b.
; death, was cause sufficient Rarely do men low
e to such intensity, but when they do il is a fearful
thing.
5 Alter long season. Philips mind awoke from
o its Sleep With declining health came restores
reason. He lost that delusioD. which had constant
Q ly haunted him. in which he fancied that the los
u one ever present by his side II might hag
e been dream or not; God only knows. If the de
L parted became ministerng spirits. as many be- wha
Office would be sweeter TO that blessed angel than
s. watch over aud soolhe the bewidered mind of hin
d whom she had so fondly loved on earth Calmly
n with kind of mournful Joy, did Philip Armytag
see the world glide from him. Its pleasures wer
NJ like shadows 10 him now. He lived the fati
e. yet beloved home whose gloom was now brlghtene
'e by infant smiles aud gay young voices, the chIldre
Is OF Edmund Brandreth. These loved 10 gatht
T. round the knee Of the pale, but eyergente mourn
IL er, and hear him talk Of her who was gone--of he
IS durkened childhood, her happy youth, her swee
ne ness and her suffering and then they would ise
st with him TO the murmurng Of the trees in the o.
IT, church yard the more ianciiul Of them thinking
Sc was her voice whispering to them in the still ey
IS ring twilight But when the solitary one had ks
e; ed them all, and babe them good night, he wou
90 stretch his arms out in the Darkness and cry wi
ne low yearning voice
=, My Stella, my beloved let Inc come TO thee
| Anhai lan 9Th he ring rnv VA
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