Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-03-02

the active pursuits oil my OrOtherS. 10
sit by her side, with my little slate or pic
ture-book, was my chief delight. Some
times threaded her needle, or cut off
an end, or sewed on patchwork, thank
full for the little helps | might afford her.
Now | was in the nursery, almost alone (;
my brothers occasionally came to amuse
me, but child as l was, saw that their
hearts were not there they were think
ing of sleds and snow-balls. Nancy was
kind, but somehow Nancy had world
10 do, when begged a story, or my
squares wanted basting. You see have
not forgot the technicalities of sewing,
despite the love of the musty law-books
which line my office.
Three weary weeks,-weeks Of anxi-
ETY. and painful solicitude, and faithful
devotion on my mothers part, at the sick
bed but alas skill, or medicine, or
. nursing, or prayer, avaied nothing. My
father was sinking Madison and Phil
ip were suffered to roam at large, Free
dom which they enjoyed to the fullest
extent. The servants went about on
tiptoe, and whispered one to another
The doctor came oftener. Strange fa-
ces appeared now and then in the entry.
was left to take care of myself, until
Nancy put me into the paror and babe
me be good boy. Soon gentleman
came in, and kindly taking me from the
carpet, where had sorrowfulIy laid
down, placed me upon his knees, calling
me his poor little boy" Cousin Madi.
son Jones entered, and he SO tall and
big, who never spoke to little children,
patted me on the arm, saying, "Ah !
the poor little fellow can't realize it
no-no !" and then he suffered me to
take in my own hand his cane, his Bra
lillian cane, with dogs head carved up
on the top the cane which he had for
hidden me even to touch. The cane
pleased me but for moment then |
looked up into their faces to learn where
fore this tenderness. felt it meant some
thing, sad something, and instinctively
called for my mother.
Poor little fellow, your mother can't
come to you," said the gentleman, gen.
fly laying my head upon his bosom.
&C wish | could see my MOTHER"
whispered, with a choking in my throat
Your mother, child no do MT ask
for your mother she do MT want to see
you,' declared Mr.. Madison Jones, stop.
ping in his walk across the room, with a
stern and Gliding look. Notwithstand-
haly he ,,,I
on the eyes, ! resolutely rubbed my lit.
tie thin hands across my eyes, and said
rapidly to myself, 81 must try to be q
man, mother says must not cry--no
Johnny must not cry;'' it was a hare
struggle, but Johnny did not cry he
laid patiently and sorrowfully in the gen.
tleman's arms.
That night Nancy undressed and pu
me in my trundle-bed, scarcely speaking
nor did she stop to hear my prayers, no
did my mother come in to give me he
goodnight kiss, as she always had
What fears filled my little bosom. wal
awed and frightened by the strange still
ness of every thing and every body.
tossed restlessIy about. | talked alout
to keep myself company. | said m.
prayers over and over again to comfor
my heart and keep up my courage
When, at last, it seemed as if my moth
er even had forsaken me, kept up
stout heart by whispering, Jesus love
little children, he does, mother says SC
| am sure he does, mother read it t.
me-"
What world of authority in " moth
err says so I" Oh mothers, say careful
and judicious things, for your words nev
err die.
Falling asleep, l dreamed of rollin
off my bed, that | was tied up in a le
of my drawers, and somebody was 60
ing to dash me in pieces. With m
heart beating and ready to break, a
woke. Silent, every thing silent.
} will find my MOTHER" was the heroic
half waking resolution, as tumbled on
of bed, with my poor, lame foot. M
. fathers door was reached, beyond tn
; long, dark entry, and crept in lhroug
the half-open door. BY the pale lamp
= light, could see no one but strang
man on the bedside. My heart fell the
, | pushed little farther in on the otf
) er side of the bed sat the dear object {
my night search. "My mother m
: mother!" | did not cry it out, but m
1 heart beat with delight. Softly move
= towards her. She sat down, with he
a face bent over the pillow; there VIZ
= white all about, and her face was ver
/ white too. She neither heard or heeo
= ed me, but had found her, reached he
n chair, and was actually holding on Il
If rounds, when heard strange noise,
It groan, deep, hard breathing, whio
: frightened me.
"It's all over" whispered the man.
a My mothers head dropped upon Il
Is pillow, and she sobbed in agony. 1t W
ID the chamber Of death. chung to h
'e knee Mother, dear mother !" viii
m pered, something between Joy, and SC
y row, and terror "do let me stay wi
s. YOU" She looked around, then TAXI
| me up, clasped me convusively TO h
r. bosom, while her tears scalded my chez