The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-03-09

| - ""NS" NC "ipSu tnc DCoucu drops
from his forehead.
All, hero is the place, lie said; 4 will Tic
down IN this cool shade, md read this pleas
ant volume So the youth stretched hi
wearied limbs upon the velvet grass, and
his head rested near the old bell; but he did
not know il, for there was low shrub with
thick scrrated leaves AMI trnpran, blossoms
spreading over il, aud The youth did no,
care to look beyond.
Presently, the letters in this book began
to grow indisiinci; there was mis-, creep
ing over the page, and while he wondered
al the marvel. a low, clear voice spoke to
him. Yes, it called his name, .Nova,is.'
i nm here said tho lad, though Inc could
sec no one. lie glanced upward and all
around, ye, there was no living creature
in sight.
LISTEN said the voice. 4 have no,
spoken to mortal for many many wears.
Ny voice was hushed Al ,hy birth. Come.
! will tell thee Of it, The youth listened,
though he was sadly amazed. lie felt
bound to the spot, and no could not close
his cars.
Time hns passed swiftly snid the voice,
since watched the children who are now
men and women, al their sports in the
neghboring forest. looked out from my
station in the old tower, aud morning nni
evening behold with joy those Innocent ia
ces, as they ran ind bounded with wild de-
light, fearless Of the future, aud careless of
the present hour. They were all my chill
drcn, for ! had ej,iccd Ut their birth: and
il !. was ordained that tho Good Shepherd
early called one Of the lambs to his bosom,
tollcd not mourn.ully, but solemn a,tLe
departure. ! knew it was far better for
these who slept thus peacefully, aud could
not sorrow for them.
4 marked one, iuir, delicntc girl, who
often separated herself from her merry coin
panioDs. She would leave their noisy play.
and stealing with her book aud work tl,ro,
tue dark old trees, would sit for hours in ,ln
shadow OF tho tower. Though sl.c never
came without a volume, such n one as JUS,
now you were reading, the book was often
neglected; AID leaning her head upon her
hand, she would remain until the iwi,joh,
tcndoriy yelled her beautiful form. wrsp,
ia deep still masing. knew tia, her
thoughts were holy md purc-oiten of
heaven, for she would raise her ewes to the
bending sky, jcwel!ed rs il was in the even
ing hour, and seom in PRAYER, though her
lips moved not, and the listening breeze
could not catch mirmnred word.
But the girl grew up innocent as in her
Childhood, yet with n roster flush upon her
checks, and n brighter lustre ia her dreamy
eye. ] did not sec her SO often, bat when
my Voice on the bright Sabbath morning
called those who !ove the good Father 10
come md thank him for his wondlous mer-
cy aud goodness, she was tho first 10 obey
the summons; and watched the snowy
drapery which she always wore, as i, ilui.
tered by the dark foliage, or cleaned in the
glad sunshine. She did no, come alone
Tor her grandsire ever leaned upon her arm,
and she guided his uncertain steps, and lis
tened earnestly 10 the words Of wisdom
which lie spake. Then marked that Of.
ten another joined the eroup-a youth who
Ind been her companion years ngonc, when
she was very child. Now they did not
stray ms then with arms cntwined, and
hand linked in hand but tho youth sup.
ported the grandsrc, and she walked be-
aido him, looking simidly upon the ground,
aud If by chance he spoke to her, bright
glow would arise to her lips aud forehead.
'Neycr did my voice ring out for merri-
CT bridal than on the morn when they were
united, before the al.ar Of this very church.
All the village rejaiccd with them, for the
gentle girl was loved MS n sister and daugh.
ter; all said that tho youth to whom enc had
pligh,cd her :roth was well worthy Of the
jewel he had gained. The old praised, and
the young admired, NJ the bridal party
turned toward their home, a simple, vine
shaded cottage, not stones throw from
where thou art lying. They did not for-
get the God who bestowed go much happi.
ness on them even in the midst Of pleasure;
and often they would come in the hush Of
twilight, and, knecling by tho altar, give
thanks for al! the mercies they had rscciy-
ed.
Two years-long ms the period may
seem TO youth-giidc swiftly past whom the
henrt is mt ut rest. Then once more q
chime noa,ed from tho beliry. 1, was o.
early dawn, when the mist was lying on
the mountain side, and the dew hid tremb.
ling in the harc-bcls, frightcd by the frs,
beams Of tho rising day. A son had been
given them; : bright heal.hful babe, with
eyes blue os the mothers who cIusped him
to her breast, and dedicated him with his
first breath 10 the parent who had watched
over her orphaned youth. and had given
this treasure to her keeping.
THAT bright day faded, and even came
sadly upon the face Of nature. Deep and
inournful was the tone flung upon the
naesinU wind. n nd the FIR tree Of the c,,e.H