Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-09-24
Human Life.
OR. THE yiAsr AND LAST aIsurE,


Minutes Pass. The anxious hust and pa
ces slowly across his study. He is a fa,her;
a mau child 10 born unto him. Minutes pass
the child has been blessed by parent,
whom II cannot recognize. and pressed TO
that bosom 10 which instinct alone guides
IL Tor rsusteDance-the young wife too. has
family answered to husbands questions,
and felt his warm kiss on her forehead.
Hours Pass. The low meanings from
the closely covered cradle. tell Of The first
wants OF IT'S infant occupant. The quier
tread of the nurse speaks of suffering around
her; while her glad counlenancc says that
the very suffering which she is trying TO al
leviate is source OF JOY, and the naneless
articles which, from time TO Tune, she artan
ges on the hearth, tell of new claimant for
The courtesies aud attentions Of those who
have passed further on the pathway Of exis-
tence.
Days Pass. Visitors aIe thronging The
chamber; and the mother. pale and interes-
ting after her recent illness, is receiving their
congratulations, aud listening proudly to
their praises Of the little treasur which lies
asleep in its rocking bed at her feet. The
scene shifts. and the father is there with her
alone, as the twilight deepens about them.
while they are planning the future destiny of
their child.
Weeks Pass. The eyes of the young
mother are sparkling with health, and the
rose blooms again on her cheek, the cares of
pleasure and home engage her attention, aud
the iaiher IS once moie miugling with the
woild;yet they find many opportunities each
day to visit tie young iuheritor OF life; TO
watch over his dremIess slsmbers-- 10 trace
each others looks in his couutenance, and to
ponder upon the felicity, of which he is the
bearer to them.
Months pass. The cradle is deserted. -
But the chamber floor il strewed with play
things and there is httle one loiieiing a
mOng them. whose half lsped words, and
hearty laugh, and sunny couutensnce, tell
you that he entrance OF life is over path
way of flowers. The cradle is empty, bat
the last prayers OF the parents are uttered O.
yer the small cfIb, which stands by iheir own
bedside, and their latest attention Is given 10
the peaceful bresrhings of ITS occupants
Years pass. Childhood has strcngt gthened
into boyhood, aud boyhood has g4mhOed a.
long iuto manhood. Old conueAiuns are bro
hen-parenls are sleeping in their grdyes-
new intimaCIes aIe fOrmed-a new home IS
about him, new cares distract him. lie is
abroad struggling amid the business OF life,
or resting hom II with those whom he has
chosen from his own generation. Tune be-
ginning 10 wrinkle his forehead, aud thought
has Iobbed his looks Uftheir gaieiy; and study
has dimmed his eyes. Those who began Iiie
after he bad grown up, are fast crowding him
out Of Il, and there are many claimants upon
bs tut usIiy and love, iot protection and sup
port.
Years pass. Ills own children have be-
come men, aud are qUiltng him, as he also
qutted the home OF his father. HIS steps
have also lost their elastlcity--h:s haud has
becOne familiar with the cane, to which he
Is obliged TO trust la his walks. lie has leit
the buslle which fstgued hun. lie looks
anxIousiy IN each days pal 'r among the
dcaths-and then pOndeis owe the name Of
old friend, aud tries TO pers ade himself
that he is younger, and Stronge and has a
better hold up0u life than any OF his cotein-
poraries.
.Hoathspa lie gradually dmiuishes tie
circle OF hIs activity. He dIslkes To go a.
broad, where he finds so many new faces and
he grieves To meet ms former companions,
after a short absence, they seem to have grown
so old and in6rn. Quiet epjoyments only are
relished--a little conversation about old times |
aud hls early bed, form for him the SUN to-
tai OF his pleasures.
Weeks pass. Iofrmity keeps him 10 his |
chamber. HIS walks are limited To the small
space between bis easy chair aud his bed
His swollen limbs are wrapped 10 nanneIs -
HIS sight is ldiIiDg--his ears refuse their du.
ty aud his cup is but half filled, since, other
wise his shaking hand cannot carry 1t to his |
shrunken lips, without spilling It's contents |
Ills powers are weakeoed-his fact ulties are |
blunIed--hls strength is lost.
Days pass. The old man does not leave
his bed--hls memory Is iailing--ho talks, but |
cannot be understood--he asks questions,
but Ihey relate TO the transactions OF form
CT goneration--he speaks OF occurrences, but
the recollection OF no one around hun can go !
bach To their scenes-he seems To commune |
with comrads, bat when he names them, il |
Is found that the waters Of time aud oblivion
have long covered their tom5s.
Hours pass. The taper grows DINNER and
dlnmer--tbe machinery moves yet more and
moro slowiy-the sands arb fewer as they
measure the allotted span. The notious OF |,
those about him is UNDECIDED or becomes a
vexsiion. Each fresh inquiry after his health
is knen. The springs Of life can no longer
force on its wheels--lhe silver chord Is fast
untwisips--lhe pilcherIs broken at the foun-
taln--apd time rs buuhen.' His chidpeu
Is aboui him but he heeds them pot--hs
friends are near, but be does not recognize
them. The circle is completed. The course
~ run--sod utter weakness brings The cold
damp. which ushers 10 the night Of death.
Minutes pass. HIS bres,hiugs gov softer
sDd loweI--his pulse beats fainter and fseb-
Ter. Those around him are listening, but
cannot tell when they cease. The embers
are burnt out-apd the blaze flashes no, be-
fore j, expires. His three score years sod
teD' are numbered. Homsn life 'is finished'
Nev EDglsnd Galaxy.
Soy oI RAlv.-IIo eco nerehants sriokl