The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-06-09

And she pressed the thorn bush to her
breast so firmly that il might be thorough
ly warmed, and the thorns went right in
to her flesh, and her blood flowed in large
drops, but the thorn bush shot forth fresh
green leaves, and there came flowers on
it in the cold winter night, the heart ofthe
afflicted mother was so warm; and the
thorn bush told her the way she should 60.
She then came TO large lake, where
there was neither ship nor boat. The
lake was not frozen sufficient to bear her;
neither was it open. nor low enough that
she could wade through it; and across it
she must go she would find her child.
Then she lay down to drink up the lake,
and that was an impossibility for human
being, but the afflicted mother thought
that miracle might happen nevertheless.
oh, what would not give TO come to
my childP said the weeping mother and
she wept still more, and her eyes sunk
down in the depths of the waters, and
became two precious pearls; but the wa
ter bore her up. as if she sat on a swing,
and she flew in the rocking waves to the
shore on the opposite side, where there
stood mile broad, strange house, one
knew not ifit were mountain with for.
esls and caverns, or if it were built up;
but the mother could not see it, she had
wept her eyes out.
Where shall find Death, who took
away my childl' said she.
He has not come here yeti said the
old grave woman, who was appointed to
look after Deaths great greenhouse!
How have you been able to find the way
hitherl and who has helped youl"
Our Lord has helped me- said she.
He is merciful. and you will also be so!
Where shall find my little childP
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 overagan!
You certainly know that every person
has his or her life's tree or flower. just as
every one happens to be settled; they
look like other plants, but they have pull
sations of the heart. Chidren's hearts
can also beat; go after ryours, perhaps you
may know your ch!d's but what will you
give me. if | tell you what you shall do
moreP
Il have nothing to give, said the affiic-
ted mother. but will 60 to the world:
end for you
Nay, have nothing to do there sait
the woman, hut you can give me YOU
long black hair; you know yourself that il
is fine. and thai like! You shall have
my white hair instead! That's Away:
something'
DO you demand nothing else?' said
she, that will | gladly give you! And
she gave her fine black hair, took and the
old womans snow-while hair instead.
So they went into Deaths great green
house. where flowers and trees grew
strangely into one another. There stood
fine haycinths underg glass bells. aud there
stood strong stemmed peonies; there
grew water plants. some so fresh others
half sick, the water snake lay down OF
them, and black crabs pinched thei
stocks. There stood beautiful palm trees
oaks and plantains, there stood palsle,
and Towering thyme; every Tree and eve
ry flower had its name; each of them wa
human life, the human frame still live,
-one in China and one in Greenland =
round about in the world. There wer,
large trees in small2ols, so that they stoot
so stunted in growth and ready to burs
the pots, in other places there was LITTLE
dull flower in rich mould, with mos
round about it, aud it was so petted ant
nursed. And the distressed mother ben
down over all the small plants. and hearc
within them how the human heart beat
and amongst millions she knew he
child's.
There it is cried she, and stretched
her hand out over little blue crocus, tha
: hung quite sickIy on one side.
J Don't touch the flower said the OLE
woman, but place yourself here, ant
: when Death comes-l expect him ever
; moment; do not let him pluck the Aowe
! up, but threaten him that you will do tn
same with others. Then he will be afraid
! he is responsible for them to our lord, an
! no one dares to pluck them up before h
| gives leave
: All at once an icy cold rushed throug
! the great hall, and the blind mothe
| knew that it was Death that came.
How hast thou been able to find tn
, way hither?"he asked, How couldsttho
come quicker than L.
Il am a mother said she.
!; And death stretched out his long han,
y towards the little flower, hut she held he
y hands tight round his, so fast and afrai
q that he should touch one of The leaves
n Then Death blew on her hands, an
she felt that it was colder than the colo
, wind, and her hands fell down powerles
l Thou canst not do anything againc
me, said Death.
Q But our Lord canp said she.
Il 4 only do his bidding, said Death
y am his gardner; take all his flowers an
# trees, and plant them in the great garde
n of Paradise, in the unknown land; bl
It how they grow'there, and how it is there
dare not te II thee
: Give me my chlld!' said the mothe
: and she wept and prayed. At once sh
seized hold oftwo beautiful flowers clos
n by, with each hand, and cried out I
death, i will tear all thy flowers off, ft