The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-08-21

Tho trial came; it brought Il moments joy,
aud then the gloom of despair. In few days
the faint wuiling cry Of tho young spirit
which had Gutcrcd this world Of care was
hushcd; and silently, slowly, the mother was
following her babe 10 heaven. No earthly
power could saye her, aud Peiip knew it,
As still aud speechlcss rs her whose
life was ebbing away on his bosom,
the husband waited for death TO tako his
treasure from his arms.
Stella lay in the heavy slumbcr which
temporary derium had left behind. She
did not even know on whose ungulsIl-rivcn
bosom her head rested. Once only she
spoke like one dreaming.
81 see hcr-there, there, with whto gar
ments. Mother, nm coming; only let me
bid him iorcwcIl." And her lips closed, mur.
muring Philips name.
An hour before death her senses returned.
She badc Philip kiss her, then whispered
fnintly-s
81 am content, my husband, my beloved!
You will come too, soon, oh! soou. There is
no darkness there"
She felt for his hand, laid it on her heart,
and spoke no more. Death stole over that
gentle one, not with gloom and sorrow, but
with the peaceful shadows ola cIid's rosy
sleep.
Death-Denth, rs he comes in The midst Of
life, and youth, and love, when the world is
yet sweet, and the Journey has been too
short for the limbs to grow weary. Yet,
even so blessed nrc they who never know
the hurthen and heat of the day. TO them
the Dread Presence comes as Il whitc-Wiug
ed angel, ere they have time to invest him
with shadows that are alone the creation Of
mans fearful heart. lie comes smiling to
go Il
which arc eternal. II is better To depart
while loves roses are blooming, than to lin
ger until they fade. Therefore, blessed are
the young who die beloved and loving still
And for those, few in years, but many in sor
rows, who have already seen the sun ofhopc
set ere nuOn-Who would keep the poor
MORNING ones from their rest Thus let us
think of thee, oh death gentle unlooscr|
oliiic's burthCn, who foldcst thy calm, still
arms round tho weary frame, and IcaveSt
The mortal spirit to rise rejoicing unto God.
For months after the death OF stella, the
world was blank to Philip Armytugc. His
noble mind was Il wreck, and ii at times
glimpscs ofrcasom and intellect came. like
wandering mctcors through the ruins, they
only showed more plainly the mournGuI d2s
oalOn around. One soft woman's voice.
and gentle womau'5 hand had power over
him in his widest moods; they were those
Of Mrs. Lyle. Mnuy thought that his brain
had never recovered from the fearful! light
n!ng stroke so that any great sorrow was
sure 10 overthrow reason forever. But the
love which had suffered 50 much, and then
been rivcn by death, was cnmsc sufficient
Rarely do men love to such intensity, but
when they do it is fearful thing.
After IL long season, Philips mind awok" !
from its sleep. With declining health came
restored reason. lie lost that deluSiol,
which had constantly haunted him: in which
he ljrnccd that the lost one was ever present
by his side. 1t might have been dream or
not; God only knows. Ifthc departed be
come minstering spirits, ~ may he, what
office would be swccIcr to that blessed angel
than to watch over and soothc the bcwiIdcr-
ed mind oGhim whom she had 50 tnndIy low
ed on earth? Calmly, witha kind ofmoum-
niul joy did Philip Armytagc sec the world
glide from him. Its pleasures were like
shadows to him now. lie lived near the IA
tai yet beloved home whose gloom was now
Enlightened by infant SMILES and gay young
voices the children of Edmund BraudrCth.-
These loved to gather round the knees otlhc
pale, but ever gentle mourner, and hear him
talk of her who was gouc-or her dalkcncd
childhood, hcT happy youth, her sweetness,
and her suffering; and then they would lis
ten with him TO the murmuring Of the trees
in the old church yard, the more fancilul of
them thinking it was her voice whispering
to them in the still evening twilight. But
when the solitary one had kissed them all,
and babe them good night he would stretch
his arms out in the darkness, and cry with
low ycnrning voice
"My Stella, my beloved let me come TO
ihcc.'
And at length the longing prayer was
heard.