The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-05-13

you been able 10 mo tne way niuei. anu
who has helped youl
/ Our Lord has helped me, sad she. he
is merciful, and you will also be so! Where
shall find my little childl' is1
May, know not, said the woman,
and you cannot see! Many flowers and
trees have withered this night! Death will
soon come and plant them over again! You
certainly know that every person has his or
her LIES tree or flower, Just as every one
happens to be settled; they look like other
plants, but they have pulsations OF the heart.
Children's hearts can also beat; 60 after
yours, perhaps you may know your child's
but what will you give me, if tell you
what you shall do more? ss-
4 have nothing to give, said the afflicted
mother, but will go TO the worlds end Tor
you.'
Nay, have nothing to do there, said
the woman. but you can give me your long
black hair; you know yourself that it is
fine, and that / like You shall have my
white hair instead That's always some
thingp --.-
DO you demand nothing else!' said she,
that will | gladly give YOU And she gave
her fine black hair, and got the old woman's
snow-white hair instead -
So they went into Deaths great green
house, where flowers and trees grew strange
ly into one another. There stood fine hya-
cinths under glass bells, and there stood
strong slemmed peOnies; there grew water
plants, some SO fresh, Others half sick, the
water snake lay down on them, and black
crabs pinched their stalks. There stood beau
tiful palm trees, oaks and plaatains, there
stood parsley and Towering thyme; every
tree and every flower had its name; each OF
them was a human life, the human frame
sill lived-one in China and one in Green
land-round about in the world. There
were large trees in small pots, so that they
stood so stunted in growth, and ready to
burst the pots; in other places there was a
little dull flower in rich mould, with moss
round about it, and it was so petled and
nursed. But the distressed mother bent
do En over all the smallest plants, and
heard within them how the human heart
beat and amongst millions she knew her
child's
There il is, cried she, and stretched her
hand out over little blue crocus. that hung
Iquite sickly on one side.
Don't touch the flower said the old wo-
imam. but place yourself here, and when
Death cOmes-l expect him every moment;
do not let him pluck the flower up, bur
threaten him that you will do-the same with
others. Then he will be afraid: he is re-
sponsible for them TO our Lord, and no
one dares to pluck them up before he gives
leave
All at once an icy cold rushed through
the great hall. and the blind mother knew
that it was Death that came.
How hast thou been able to find thy way
hither 2 he asked. How couldst thou come
quicker than |.
Il am a mother, said she.
And Death stretched out his long hand
towards the little flower, but she held her
hands tight round his, so fast and vet afraid
that she should touch one of the leaves
Then Death blew on her hands, and she
felt that il was colder than the cold-wind,
and her hands fell down powerless.
Thou canst not do anything against me,
said Death.
But our Lord CAM said she.
d only do his bidding, said Death i
am his gardener; | take all his flowers and
trees, and plant them in the gea! garden Of
Paradise, in the unknown land: but how
they grow there, and how il is there, | dare
not tell thee
Give me my child said the mother, and
she wept and prayed. At once she seized
hold Of two beautiful flowers close by, with
each hand, and cried out to death, Il will
tear all thy flowers of, for am in despair.
Touch them not said Death. Thou
sayeSt thou art 50 unhappy, and now thou
wilt make another mother equally unhappy
Another motherp said the poor woman,
and directly let 60 her hold Of both the how-
ers.
There, thou hast thine eyes, said Death;
4 fshed them up from the lake, they shone
so bright | knew not they were thine
Take them again; they are now brighter
than before now look down into the deep
well close by, shall tell thee the names OF
the two flowers thou would'st have pulled
up, and thou wilt see their whole future
life-their whole human existence; see what
thou vast about to disturb and destroy
And she looked down into the we'll; and
il was happiness to see how the one be-
came blessing to the world, to see how
much happiness and Joy were felt every
where. And she saw the others life, and
il was SORROW and distress, horror and wretch
edness.
Both Of them are Gods will said
Death.
Which Of them is Mislortune's flower,
and which is that of Happiness asked she.
That | will not tell thee said Death;
but this thou shalt know from me, that the
one flower was thy own child; it was thy
child's fate thou saw'st-thy own child's fu-
ture life!
Then the mother screamed with terror.
Which OF them was my childi Tell it
me! save the Innocent save my child from
all that misery rather take it away! take it
into Gods kingdom! Forget my tears, for
get my prayers, and all that have coner
Il do not understand thee,' said Death.
will thou have thy child again, OF shall /
go with il there, where thou dost not know
Then the mother wrung her hands, fell
upon her knees, and prayed to our Lord
ooh hear me moi when I nrav a1air,u inv