Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-03-11
5clcrtcO Gales.
From the Saturday Evening Post.
The REJECTED MANUSCRIPT.
-"rr>re'-~a~#r #r.---e--s--r~~-ss--
BY II. MEEKS.
CHAPTER 4.
The Bereavement.
BY H. MEEKS.

AYE, Nr. Ryan, you may well say
tha,-a sad blow it is TO his wIetched
family for il is said that Mr. Mans
field had invested all his means in this
multcaulis speculation and lost all and i,
if SO, ! know not what will become of
his helpless widow and orphans"
"God only knows, Mr.. Collins, it is
His to temper the wind to the shorn
lamb, and He will doubtless provide for
this destitute family"
Mr.. Ryan uttered this in a careless
tone, which plainly indicated that if
God die not provide for the widow and
her children, it was by no means his in
teniion to do so.
A slight disturbance inside the house ,
and the suppressed sobs Of grief, gave
in,imation that the mortal remains of
Henry Mansfield were abou, to be borne
to their final resting place /; and the
conversation on the outside was suspend
ed.
How solemn, oh Death, are thy visi-
tations How deep the silence of that
thoughtful throng, now in thy immed-
ate presence How awful that pres
ence How keen the anguish that fol-
ows thy ruthless lootstep!
The sad procession moves slowly on,
without pomp or pageantry for
"sorrow's sembance weeps not DER his tomb -
the common heart is touched, and tears
flow from eyes unused to weep, as with
unconscious step, the mother and her
latherless children follow their beloved
to the grave. The last sad words are
pronounced, "Enrth to earth, ashes TO
ashes, dust TO dust" and as the clods fall
heavily upon the coffin lid, crushing the
heart with the sense Of utter and hope
less destitution, a frantic shrek breaks
upon the ear, and the daughter of the
departed sinks overpowered with emo
ton to the earth. Friends assist 10 con-
vey her home, and the mother is arous-
ed from the siupor Of her own absorbing
sorrow, by her fears for her child.
Night has now spread ou, her mantle
Of darkness, the stars gIcam out with
their wonted lustre, and the music OF
nature keeps up its eternal harmonies in
all places, save in the bosom Of humani.
Iy. Overcome by the fatigue Of grief,
the children of Mansfield sleep, but to
their unhappy mother there is no repose
Oh how unut,erably desolate are
those first dark hours Of widowhood =
How oppressive the burden Of care thus
suddenly thrown upon her! How cheer
less that once happy hearth
Her thoughts are with the dead-and
as the remembrance of ten thousand
tokens Of affection crowd the mind, the
fountains of the heart are broken up,
and the aching bosom finds reliefin tears.
Falling upon her knees she seeks conso-
lation and counsel from the Father oi
the fatherless-let us not intrude upon
that sacred hour.
A few hours after the funeral obsequies,
"a party were gathered around the tea
table Of Mrs. Ryan, having been invited
at the grave by that lady. The melan-
choly bereavement was the topic of con-
versation.
"How excessive was the grief Of
Mary Mansfeld," said one Of the lady
visitors.
"Dea- me Mrs. Price, you do not
suppose there was any sincerity in it
do you ?" said Mrs. Ryan.
"Certainly | do" said Mrs. Price,
"why should l not :"
"Oh see you don't know that art
ful girl as well as ! do ] am not given
to speak harshly of any one, but my
word for it, that fuss at the grave was
pure affection.
"But," said Mrs. Price, al can see
no cause for such needless hypocrisy
what motive could she possibly have ?"
"Motiye ~ said the hostess, els il no.
motive sufficient to excite the sympathy
Of the public for, Notwithstanding the
Mans6elds carry their heads so high, they
are desperately poor"
"l have always noticed" said Mrs.
Ryan, "lhat poor people do so, 1t is a
regular game, and old trick"
"The grief OF the poor may be moro
violent in its manifestation" said Mrs