Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-08-19

hAY ENN IA
: woolen skirt, and q short, loose gown; ant
her hard, shriveled hands bore witness t.
: much unfeminine labor. Yet she was con
tented, and even happy, and singing praise
to God for His blessing.
The next winter thought could per
, ceive faltering IN her gaits whenever she
J ascended Church Hill; and one Sabbath
she was not in her accustomed seat. The
next she was also ABSENT. ;.and when look.
: ed upon Pine Hill, could perceive no
smoke issuing from her chimney. ! fell
anxious, and requested liberty to make, what
was then in our neigborhood an unusu-
al occurrence, Sabbath visit. My moth.
er granted me permission, TO 60, and remain
as long as my services might be necessary;
and at the close of the afternoon worship |
went to the little house upon the hill.
l listened eagerly for some sound, as l
entered the cold apartment; but hearing
none, | tremblingly approached the low,
hard bed. She was lying there with the
same calm look of resignation, and whisp-
cred few words of welcome as took her
hand. "You are sick and alone," said
to her; "teil me what can do for you."
II am sick,'' was her reply, ''but not
alone. He who is every where, and nt
all times present, has been with me in the
day and in the night. have prayed to
Him, and receivad answers Of mercy, love
and peace. He has sent his angel TO call
me home, and there is nought for you 10
do but watch the spirits departure
I felt that it was so; yet must do some.
thing. ] kindled asfre, and prepared some
refreshment; and after she drank bowl Of
warm tea, thought she looked better
She asked me for her Bible, and brought
her the worn volume which had been lying
upon her little stand. She took from it a
soiled and much-worn letter, ,and after press.
ing it to her lips. endeavored to open it
but her hands were too weak, and it drop
ped upon the bed. "No matter, "said she,
as offered to open it for her; know al.
that is in it, and that book also. But |
thought should like to look once more
upon them both. | have read them daily for
many years till now; but do not mind it
| shall 60 soon." s4 .- 10
She followed mo with her eyes as | laid
them aside, and then closing them, her lips
moved as if in prayer. She soon after fell
into slumber, and watched her every
breath fearing it might be her last. D.
| What lessons Of wisdom, truth, and for
titude, were taught me by that humble bed
side had never before been with the
dying, and had always imagined death
bed to be fraught with terror. | expected
that there were always fearful shrieks, and
appalling groans, as the soul left lis clay
tenement; but my fears were now dis
PEELED. A sweet calmness stole into my
innoss soul, as watched by the low couch
Of the sufferer; and said, If this be death,
may my last end be like hers" -.
But at length saw that some dark dream
had brought frown upon the pallid brow,
and an ex xpression of woe around the parch.
ed lips. She was endeavoring to speak or
to weep, and was about to awaken her,
when a sweet smile came like flash Of sun
light over her sunken face, and | saw that
the dream of woe was exchanged for one of
pleasure. Then she slept calmly, and |
wondered if the spirit would 60 home in that
peaceful slumber.
But at length she awoke and after look
ing upon me and her little room with be.
wilGered air, she heaved sigh, and said
mournfully, 81 thought that was not to
come back again, but it is only for little
while. have had pleasant dream, but
not at first. thought once that stood
in the midst of a vast multitude, and we
were oil looking up at one who was strug-
Cling on gallows. O, have seen tina,
sight in many dream before, but still
could not bear it, and said Father have
mercy; and then thought that the sky
rolled away from behind the gallows, and
there was flood of glory in the depths
beyond; and heard voice saying to him
who was hanging there, This day shall,
thou be with me in ParadiseP And the
gallows dropped, and the multitude around
me vanished, and the sky rolled together
again: bu, before it had quite closed over
that scene Of beauty, looked again: and
they auere all there. Yes, &c added she with
q placid smile, g | know that he is there
!, with then-the three are in heaven, and
shall be there soon.'
She ceased, and drowsy feeling came
over her. After while, she opened her
eyes with strange look Of anxiety and
terror. / went to her, but she could moi
speak, and she pressed my hand closely, as
though she feared would leave her. 1t
was momentary terror, for she knew tha
the last pangs were coming on. There
was painful struggle, and then came rest
and peaceful confidence. "That letter.
whispered she convulsively; and went te
. the Bible, and took from it the soiled papel
which claimed her thoughts even in death
t | laid it in her trembling hands, which clasp
ed it nervously, and then pressing it to he
$ heart, she fell into that slumber from which
: there is no awaking. e7t s-5aa.l' -
q $50 When / saw that she was indee'
gone, l took the letter and laid, it il
! It's accustomed place; and then, after strait
J, ening the limbs, and throwing the bed
r clothes over the stiffening form, I left tn
.