The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-08-30
For the Free Trader
4 Sketch.
n Y L MIL 7.

She stood by the window with her fair arm
gently reclining on the easement. Her thought,
were far from earth, they were on things more
bright and lasting than the frail, fading thing.
this world affords. She seemed too pure ior
earth; her presence was more like the visit u
some bright winged angel, that had been coin
missioncd by the great Father Of light and good
ness to make poor fallen man visit TO cheer
him awhile with m acquaintance with the holy
ones Of Paradise. She was little above The
middle height. with complexion rather too pale
to be cal'cd lovely, but one that would interest
the heart Of the most careless observer Her
hair, Of dark. rich auburn, hung in dark rlc
riuglcts around a neck that seemed formed Of al.
ablstrr. At this time her whole appearance wa,
indicative OF an ab,rtactcd mind. She appeared
to be gazing upon a beautiful landscape before
her but saw not the rich fields Of grain that were
waving IN the autumn breeze nor the bright and
ever changing clouds that graced the blue arcl
above. She was thinking Of the time when her
mother, too, was an inhabItant Of earth, but who
was now removed to the bright E'ysiin Fields oi
glory. She thought also, Of the many PRAYERS
that had been registered on high in he- bchall
bv that mother whose loss was now more kecnly
felt as she recalled to mind, how often she had
tried to poin, her to her Heavenly Father rs the
only sourse Of happiness Her hg. noble brow
bore the impress oi intense thought, indicating
debth of reflection not common to those Of her
0gp. She had Just reached her Seventeenth year.
andt was four years since her mother died
Time had done much towards amelioratng her
grief but 1t was evident that the wound was not
yet healed fpr on the very meutun Of her molll-
ther's name tears would start in her eyes nor
could the most sincere voice of friendship OF Ian
r 4
der she loved her she had taught her that she
had gem committed to her care that would far
out weigh the wealth of the Indias. and that this
world was not the abode Of all that was far. but
in q region above was to be found all chat was
truly tender. lovely and good She was mere
child when her mother died but had now seemed
to have arrived at the acme of lovcnoss and
perfection With heart naturally warm and af-
iectionate, she was ever willing to rejoice with
those that reioiced and TO weep with those that
wcpt' Indeed, she seemed a creature TO be 10
we'd, | had almost said Gdurcd Often would her
fair cheek be moi-tentd by the tear Of pity, as
she lstoncd to the recital Of some tale of wo and
many were the hours she spent in deyising some
means for their relief Merry were their hearts
when Amanha made her appearance to ioin IN
their pisrsuros and p7stmcs, and even the gond
old minister himself smiled when she appeared
and always greeted lcr with n kind look and a
warm pressure of the hand. But they were all
destined to know that happiness cannot be per.
manCnt, but how, We will lcay the >cQual to un.
fold, and in the meantime would Transport our
readers to the chamber where the suns morning
beams ard Just beginning to enter In the centre
Of the room stood 4 bed with rich heavy curtains
Of the purcst white. aud deeply trimmed with
beautiful fringe There lay Amantha but pen
cannot depict her appearance now II she was
brau'ifutln health her real beauty was heghtcn.
ed IN disease. A deep fevrrish blush pcrvadrd
her cheek, but her lips were almost colorrss. a
symptom which plainly indicated that disease
had strong graspci her frame, still there was
PLAIN to be seen u smile Of calm res gnatou,
which sickness aud disease could not wholly oh
litcra,c, Her heal was supported in the arms Of
Young friend ol hers, and abou, her age. Her
physician and father stood hy the bed, one with "a
calm satisfied air which plainly showed that all
had been done that could be by mortal man the
other suffering all the anguish thNt the scpa.
ration from a beloved child could produce, Her
physician now and then lifted his silent praycra
To heaven cntrcating that she might De spared n
short time longer. The situation Of the fllhcr
can hardly be described, when ho learned that
she must die She had been his iduland he felt
that he could sacrifice all he possessed and al.
most life itself fur her sake No expense wss
spared for her comfort or amusement, and when
he saw her silent snd uncompninjng, declining
to the tomb, his proud, manly heat was broken
Reason almost ior>ouk her throne aud at times
dcsparc seemed to close every avenue of bis soul
Nor was his love aud Kindness lost on Amauthn ;
she loved him with her Young hearts pure and
undivided aiIrction-A profound stiffness pcrva.
dcd the room, each one felt too solemn to break
the silence at such time, n time when il was mo.
mcntariy expected that her pure spirit would take
ist flight to another world. Soon she nwuke. and
her physician was the first to break the silence.
Taking her hand he said DO you think death is
nearP She looked at him moment, and then
with n sweet smile said, "Nono too near, for in
yonder world shall meet with one who was
my counsellor aud guide in youth-onc whom
my fond and trusting heart loved too we'll so well
indeed, that my Heavenly Father saw II rcccssn.
ry to remove her from me, or my heart would
have become cstranged from him, and set on the
falling things Of earth. In my dreams had n
glimpse of her rs she kneli before the throne of
the everlasting Her form was NOT unlike the
fairy forms ofongcs; but was SO light and cthe
real that one would suppose she was part of
life itself Her councmncs wore such n lovely
expression, that il seemed to Danish the idea
that she had ever known sin or sorrow, or had
ever been under it, influence ard been its victim
murmur not that nm about to meet with one
so rctincd--so beautiful Turning 10 her father
she said, "You must not mourn. Mother is now
an angel Of light, and Amon,ha will soon be her
companion in the spirit world" IA She ceased
speaking she appeared much exhausted, and
closed her eyes, She soon opened them again.
and said Farewell, dark valley, hail, glorious
world Of light" She requested them to raise
her that she might once moro welcome kurura's
appearance. A. iho saaed upon the beams Of