The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-06-20

iAiC POOI WOLlduJ Cdih Souy.
Il have only done my duty said the old
lady, meekly; and she went off, enjoying
the reward of an approving conscience.
What an excellent woman J murmured
the mother, as she returned to her infant
cradle, after seeing Mrs. Brown out.
But an exclamation of horror broke from
her lips, as her glance fell upon the child.
The infant had walked up in a spasm. A
little fretfulness, slight fever, in the babe,
was enough at any time 10 arouse all the
mothers worst fears; but nOv-nO,O that
she saw her child's features convulsed
and limbs quivering. in frightful spasm,
her alarm and grief exceeded all descrip>
ton.
At that moment, DR.. Jones entered the
room, and. seeing the state of the child,
he demanded latber peremptorily, as was
his custom, what had been given to the
babe. And the pale and trembling moth
er told him, informing him at the same
time who had prescribed the dose. Out
of his grief and his vexation,' the young
physician exclaimed
by Heaven, madam, she has killed your
child =
oh! don't say so, Doctor Don't
don't! | should go mad Oh, no 1t
can't be? God would not take my baby
away from me, that love so dearlyp
Losing all self-control, she sank down
by the side of the cradle. Her grief be-
came so poignant as to render her inca
pable of discharging her duties. Seeing
the state of affairs, and being ignorant OF
their family resources, DIR. Jones sent of
for Mr.. Piper. 1t was near night when
the babes spasms went of, and he sunk
into a coma.
1t was the night of the same day upon
which Annie Gray had received her death
draughl from Mrs. Brown. The Doctor
had left her comparatively easy a few
hours previous. Mr.. Gray, poor man,
suspecting no danger, had retired to rest.
Clara had lighted the night taper, and set
ting il upon the hearth, took her seat by
her sister. Clara, also, was free from ap-
prehension now; but she could not, she
knew not why, make up her mind to go
to bed. Annie was lying quite still.
She was easy, but with the fatal ease in
duced by modification. She was dying,
and she knew it.
Clara =
well, Annie?'
Won't you lie down, love ?
Presently. dear Annie; am not sleepy
yet. How do you feel, Annie ?
Quite easy. Perfectly free from pain
of any Sort
4 am SO glad said poor. unsuspicious
Clara.
The silence continued unbroken in the
room, except by the ticking Of the clock
for many minutes. Then Annie called,
in a low voice
Clara
well, sister,
Look in my little bible, and bring me
that folded paper-and lead pencil
Dear Annie, what is it you want to do!
You must 90 to sleep, darling
so will, rery soon, and take long
nap; but give me them first
Here they are, then, Annie
Raise me up
why, what are you going to do, dar-
lingl'
Just to add four words to that pa
per-
Let me do it.
NO
Annie feeblv scratched four words to
the end Of some writing, and fell back
exhausted upon her pillow, retaining the
paper in her hand. She lay still long
time, and again the ticking of the clock
became awfully distinct. At last, again
she called
Clara =
well, darling!'
what day is this !?
Friday, you know, dear. Day alter
tomorrow you are to have the oysters.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Clara
take this paper, and put it away safely !;
and do not read it until Monday, and
then 90 by it, will you ?
sWhy, what in the world do yo mean.
dear Annie !?
Never mind what mean. Promise
me, will you ?
Yes, love. certainly. Now try to Sleep
dear Annie
Yes, l will .,
Wby was the silence in that peaceful
room 50 awful! Why licked the clock so
loud and fast, and why fell its strokes so
heavily upon the heart of the watcher
She did not know it was counting away
the last seconds of dying girl. AT
length. the dread silence was relieved by
the low. sweet music Of Annie's voice
'Clarar
'DarlingP
Where is fatherl
Gone to bed
Give nv love to him.
annie Annie What do you mean =
Nothing, only he forgot to kiss me-
She lay again silent for few moments;
then for the last time called lowly-
'Clarap
(She seemed to love the iteration of
her sisters name.)