Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-07-08
MIS- C. T. l. l. A N Y.
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THE TIME TO DIE.
by MISS MARTHA A. wIswALL, OF ALBANY

by MISS MARTHA A. wIswALL, OF ALBANY
TWAS winter. Before cheerful fire sat an
aged man in lonely meditation. The curtains
fell in heavy folds to the floor, casting an air
of comfort over the room, and excluding the
piercing cold. Yet tremor passed over the
frame Of the old man, as the storm without
fell upon the old mans ear 81 am thankful
have a shelter on such night as this" said
he, drawing his easy chair 10 the fire. "Wo
To the wretch that roams abroad in such a
Storm" then musing for some time, he be-
gan pacing the room, and ever and anon pau
sed in deep thought, which at length found
expression. "Death is fearful thing to con-
template at any time, but in such a season as
this, methinks would struggle hard for life.
To be placed deep in the cold frozen earth |;
MOI she herself seems to strive 10 prevent the
act and winds her robe Of snow over her
strong breast TO prevent admittance within her
bosom. When die, may it be in the brigh,
and Joyous spring time, when all is fresh and
gay. But bark surely did not hear knock,
for who would venture out on such a night2"
and opening the door, he saw before him a
girl, who begged for shelter in accents 10 cx-
cite pity in the hardest heart. The appeal
was enough for the kind hearted old man and
u
seat near the fire, and tried TO revive her droop-
ing frame. After she had so lar recovered as
10 answer his inquiries. she told him she was
a lonely creature, with no friend in the world !;
she had roamed about from place TO place, liv.
ing on charity she had never known father,
or mother. or relative.
The old man, still dwelling upon the subject
which had for some time occupied him, ask
ed her if death would not be welcome mes-
senger to her, as she had nothing for which 10
live, and no one cared for her--would she not
be willing 10 die aud be al resi2
ooh! ask me not 10 give up my life, II is
sometimes bright and joyous. In the lovely
summer, the flowers are my friends, the birds
speak TO me from the trees and the bee winds
his tiny horn for me, and when ! wander forth
To the green woods, and life is all sweetness"
sob no! youth has no time TO dle.o
Years rolled on, the spring appeared gradu-
ally bright, the birds rejoced on every Dough,
all nature smiled 10 welcome the blithe God.
dess Of Spring. But the Old man had new
ties 10 bind him TO the earth the houseless
wanderer was now as daughter 10 him his
interest in her was too strong bond TO be ca.
silly broken. twas as hard TO leave the world
as in the cold and dreary winter age seemed
but TO strengthen the love of life, although
youth was withered and nature dying, vet
"liie life only" was his desire.
Spring passed, and summer, with its mild
and balmy air, visited the earth the maiden
smiled in gadness OF heart, and the old man
rejoiced in her happiness, for she threw
Joy and bliss around; her happy laugh rung
upon his ear in wild and merry peals as she
watched the flight Of the butterfly, and her
sweet song rose upon the air as she tended
her birds and watched the opening Of each
bud 10 the light. Time flew swiftly by, We;
the old man and the maiden were as fondly
attached to the earth as in spring time. Death
gained new horrors as the season advanced
their summer paths were siTewed with flow
ers. at was no time TO die"
Autumn, with its purple grape, and downy
peach, and pleasant nutting Time, took the
place ofsummer, and brought with it lightness
and joyousness ofcool air and freedom from the
oppressive heat; the little maiden tripped
through the dry leaves, and chased the SPUR
rel with almost lis own swiftness; then throw
ing back her sunny curls, she bounded to the
side of the old man, as he sat cnder the vines
at his door, making glad his eyes with her
bright and happy face, and his heart grew
young again; IN her lightsome joyous mirih
both little thought of death. The earth had
ClOlDtu lti III IL tObc vi blOWH dUu ufN leaves,
and hid herself from the eye Of man she
seemed not to wish for human company in
this her time OF change.
Winter again returned again we see the
old man sitting in his easy chair before the
bright and glowing fire; but he is not the sol
itary being he was before. for beside him is
one in the first blush of youth and grace; she
is no longer the gay and noisy child she is
no less lovely, no less happy. but a deeper
thought steals over her face, and heavenly ra-
dance sits upon her features, as she bends
over the book from which, accents OF deep
reverence, she reads the Word of God to the
old man.
What think they Of deathl The faces of
both looked more restrained; the Holy Spirit
sheds its light upon the way which leadeth 10
the grave it no longer seems dark and lonely.
The old man received the heavenly guest into
a heart which had always been the residence
Of kindness and charity. The maiden now
dropped daily, but she no longer thought il
hard 10 rive i'm liTp md when the cold blast