Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-05-11
Select Gales.
49, - 80 -..--~.- r. - .,-
THE HEAD STONE.
BY PROFESSOR WILSON.

BY fhOFEooOh NAhopN'
The coffin was let down to the bottom of the
uraye-the blanks were removed from the heap
ed-up brink-the first rafting clods had struck
their knell-the quick shoveings were over, and
the long, broad, slrully cut pieces of turf were
aptly Joined together, and trinity laid by the beat
inc spade. so that the newest mound in the
church-yard was scarcely distinguishable from
those that were grown over by the undisturbed
grass and daisies of luxuriant spring. The
burial was soon over, and the party withone con-
senting motion, having uncovered their heads in
decent reverence Of the place and occasion,
were beginning to separate and leave the church
ward Here, some acquaintance from different
parts Of the parish, who had not eln opportunity
of addressing each other at the house of the de-
ceased. nor in the course of the hundred yards
the little procession had to move from his bed to
his grave, were shaking hands quietly, but cheer
fully, and inquiring after the welfare of each
others families There knot of neighbors
were speaking, without eXaggeration, of the re-
spectacle character that the deceased had borne
and mentioning to one another the little incidents
of his life, some of them so remote as to be
known only to the gray-headed persons of the
group While few yards further removed from
the spot, were standing together parties, who
discussed ordinary concerns, altogether uncon-
nected with the funeral; such as the state of
the markets, the promise of the season, or the
change of tenants; but sill with sobriety of
manner and voice, that was nsensibly produced
by the quiet graves around, and the shadow Of
the spire and the gray walls of the house of
God.
Two men yet stood together at the head of
the grave, with severe and unlmpassloned grief
They we're brothers-the only sons of him who
had been buried; and then there was something
in their situation that naturally kept the eyes of
many directed upon them for a long time, and
more ntently than would have been the case, had
there been nothing more observed than common
sorrow. But these two brothers who were stand
ing at the head of their fathers grave, had, for
some years, been totally estranged from each
other, and the only words that passed between
them during all that time, had been uttered with
in few days past, during the necessary prepara-
tons for the funeral.
deep and deadly quarrel was between these
brothers, and neither Of them could distinctly
tell the cause Of this unnatural enlargement
Perhaps dim iealousies of their fathers favor;
selfish thoughts that will sometimes force them
selves into poor mems hearts, respecting tempo
raj expectations; unaccommodating manners on
both Sides taunting words which mean little
when uttered, but which rankle and tester in re-
membrance; imagined opposition of interests,
that, duly considered, would have been one and
the same These and many other causes, slight
when single, but strong when rising up together
in one baleluI band, had gradually and fatally
infected their hearts, till at last they who in
youth had been seldom separate, and truly at
tached now met at market, and miserable to
say, at church. with dark and aycrted faces, like
different clansmen during leud
Surely, if any thing could have soHened then
hearts toward each other, it must have been to
stand silently, side by side, while the earth, stones
and cIods, which were falling down upon their
fathers colin-and doubtless their hearts were
so softened But pride, though it cannot prevent
the holy affections Of nature from being felt may
prevent them from being shown; and these two
brothers stood there together, determined not tc
let each other know the mutual tenderness, that
in spite Of them, was gushing up in their hearts
and teaching them the uncontcssed folly ant
wickedness of their causeless quarrel.
A headstone had been prepared, and person
came forward to plant ita plain stone with
sand-glass skull and cross-boncs, chiselcd, no
rudely, and few words inscribed, The young
er regarded the operation with troubled eye
and sud loud enough to be heard by several o
the bystanders--
william, this is not kind in you---you SHOULD
have told me of this. loved my father as wei
as you could have loved him. You were thu
elder, and you may be the favored son; but
had right in nature to have joined in orderin!
this headstone, had notl'
nnrinr ithaca xUorJe tho ctOua ,vor pb IN,
into the earth, and many persons who were Oh
their way from the grave returned. For while
the elder brother said nothing, for he had con
seriousness i'll his heart that he ought to have con
suited his fathers son in designating this las
mark of affection and respect to his memory
so the stone was planted in silence and nov
stood erect decently and simple, among tn
other unostentatious memorials Of the humbl
dead
The inscription merely gave the name and ag
of the deceased, and told that the stone had beer
erected by his 'affcctionate sons The sight o
this seemed to soften the angry man. and he sale
somewhat more mildly yes. we are his aifec
tionate sons; since my name is on the stone an
satisfied, brother We have not drawn togethe
kindly of late years, and perhaps never may, bu
| acknowledge and respect your worth, and here
before our friends, and the friends of our father
with my foot at his head, express my willing
ness to be on better terms with you, and if W.
cannot command our hearts, let us at least ba
out all unkindness.'
The minister who attended the funeral, havn
had something entrusted to him to say publicl
before he left the church yard, now came for
ward and asked the elder brother why he spak
not regarding this matter. He saw there wa
something of cold and sullen pride rising u
in his heart, for not so easily may any ma
hope to dismiss from the chamber Of his hear
even the vest guest, if once cherished there.
With solemn and almost severe air he look
ed upon the relenting man, and then changing
his countenance into serenity, said gently
Behold how good thing it is,
And how becoming WELL
Together such as brethren are
In unity to dwell.
The time, the place, and this beautiful e'
preston of natural sentiment, quite oVercam
heart in which many kind, if not warm aflec
Al. LII