The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-29
From the Journal of Commerce.
The Dying Boy.
Saratoga Co., 1913.

been many years deeply impressed on my
mind, that the death of child is not on
ly a release ofthe soul from chains that would
ere long have proved calling, but is in every
respect one of the lightest Affections, when
viewed in the light of its accompanying
consultations, that the hand ofGod ever deals
to his hayward children. Nor have ever
looked on the eyelid which hides forever
from mothers gaze the earthlight that once
gIaddened her in her infants eye, without
the thought that if there was n wiling voice
calling from heaven to one on earth more
melodiously than any other, il must be that
voice which has never been heard here in
other than tones Of innocence and affection,
as it calls the dear one dearest on earthly to
come up and behold the rest which the child
is taking on the arms of its Father.
am apt to linger longer in grave yard,
by the little mounds that are between the
larger ones, and to fancy the establishment
which fill the eyes that have wept countless
tears thereon, when they be hold their little
one grown glorious in the Sabbath land.
And while have never doubted that the af-
fections of earth would be sanctfied,and thus
stronger in heaven, have wondered by what
tone or feature, or smile, the mother would
recognize there the long lost idol child, she
buried once so sadly.
was standing in the recess ola deep
window, looking towards the west. The
sun was gone, but the submits ofthe Kay
deroceros mountain, were not cold after his
last kiss. Without interruption l stood thus
watching the sky, till a star peered stealthily
out, and then shrunk back, as if Il wandering
twilight ray had frightened it, and sought
vainly to discover it again. The cold gray
of the sky contrasted iorcibiy with the white
mantle Of the earth, which has become Will
ter since last wrote you, and fences and
fields were alike dressed in the robe of pu-
rity. Would TO God that the tains of earth
might as easily be covered with spotless
garb. Would to God that the stains of guilt
upon the soul of man might as easily be hid
den from the All seeing Eye.
'They may be, Just as easily, my dear SIR
had unconscIouSly been thinking aloud,
aud was startled by the interruption of my
quaint but most excellent friend, Dr. Will
ams, who had entered unperceived, and
turning, Joined in q conversation which con-
tinued until the entrance of Miss NJ, for
whom he had asked. The object of his call
was to ask her to Mr. rs, whose little boy
was dying. Miss M-instantly consented,
and agreed TO drive over with her. DEW.
proposed to meet me at the Grove in two
hours from that time, but yielded at length to
an urgent invitation TO remain TO dinner
which was on the table. ! learned while sit
ting at the table, that Mrs. Twas Il friend
of my companion Miss NJ, whom intro
duced to you in my last letter. She was a
few years Senior hut of much the same
cast of mind, and in the country you are a.
ware now very close an intimacy will grow
between ladies' of similar tastes aud pursuits
They have been companions ut school aud
ut home since the days of mere childhood,
and hence the readiness with which Mrs. Il
had sent for her friend IN her hour of af-
Fiction. Is il not pleasant sight, that de-
peudence of friend on friend? Had she
wished to borrow book, she would have
had no less confidence in sending for il, than
she had when Dr. Williams told her that her
child was dying, in asking him to call as he
drove by. and ask Miss M--to come and stay
with her. may be wrong in surprising that
this contrasts forcihly with the relations ex-
listing between neighbors in some parts ofthe
country could name, but | find here that
this is no solitary instance. Every family feels
sort of bond connecting IT with every other
and that bond grows stronger mot weaker)
when the honr of need is at hand. Dr. Will
Jams informed me that little Harry had
been running about merrily three days be-
fore, but had fallen and injured his head, and
had remained insensibe since then. That
he had been called instantly, and was alarm
ed at the outset, but that Mrs. T-had refts-
ed to believe that he was so seriously hurt,
and until this evening would not allow the
neighbors to he told oft. Il do not think
added the kind physician, that she yet be-
lieves it, or realizes fully that her hoy is so
near his end. wish. Miss Jean, you would
try to prepare her for the result. do not be-
Iieve it possible that he can live until to NOR
row night. Indeed, ] feared the approach
of death within the next five hours, and
therefore desired to return instantly
In half an hour the horses were at the door,
and DIR. w. led the why, while we followed.
II was bitter cold night. had no concep-
tion of the state of the air, but we were well
protected, and drove swiftly. The three
miles were PASSED in little more than iwen-
tv minutes. and at the door met Mr. T., who
insisted on my coming in. Sending the hor
SEES around to his stables, entered.
The stiffness that is the characteristic ola
house in which the fear of death prevails,
was here most profound. No foostep could
be heard. No door made audible opening or
shutting. No one spoke aloud or whispered,
for whispering is more paintiH to the ear OF
the sick than loud voices, but each one who
spoke used that low suppressed niurinur,
which falls upon the ear of one WHO'S at a
little distance, only as the sound ofthe wind
ont of doors.
Taking my arm, Mr. T. led me TO the room
in which his boy lay. A dim light shaded
from the bed, made the room appear sombre
and gloomy, but scene by that bedside
made it appear INSTANTLY afterwards rather as