Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-01-04
Hum an Life
OR THE FIRST AND LAST MINUTE.

across his study. lie IS 4 father; 4 man chi
h is born unto him. Minutes pass. The chi
3 has been blessed with Il parent whom it cam
recognize and pressed to that Bosom TO viii,
:. instinct alone guides it for sustenance--tl
:. young wife, too, has family answered to ii
husbands questions, and felt his warm kiss {
! her forehead.
Hours pass--The low meanings from II
closely covered cradle, tell of the first want
its infant occupant. The quiet tread of I'll
, nurse speaks Of sufferings around her; Will
, her glad countenancc says that the very suffel
ing which she is trying to alleviate is a sourc
OF JOY, and The naneless articles which tror
m to time, she arranges on the hearth, te
of a new claiment for the courtesies and atten
tons OF those who have progressed further o.
the path way of existence.
lays pd~SS--Nlsitors are thronging the cham
Der; and the mother, pale and interesting afte
her recent illness, is receiving their congratula
tons and listening proudly to their praises O
the little treasure, which lies asleep in its rock
ing bed at her feet. The scere shifts, and thu
father is there with her alone,,as the twilight
deepers around them, while they are planning
the future destiny of their child.
Weeks pass.--The eyes of the young moth,
er are sparkling with health, and the rose
blooms again on her check, and the cares Of
pleasure and home engage her attention, and
the father is once more mingIing with the world;
yet they find many opportunities each dav to
visit the young inheritor of life; to watch over
his dreamless slumbers--to trace each others
look in his countenance, and to ponder upon the
felicity, of which he is the bearer to them.
Months puSs.--Thc cradle is deserted. But
the chamber floor is strcwn with playthings,
and there is Il little one lettering among them
| whose half lisred words, and hearty laugh and
sunny countenancc, tell you that the entrance
of life is over pathway Of flowers. The era
die is empty, but the last prayers of the parents
are uttered over the small crib which stands by
their own bedside, and their latest attention is
given to the peaceful breathing of it's occll-
pant.
Years pass.-Childhood has strengthened in.
to %boyhood and boyhood has gamboIed along
into manhood. Old connections are broken
parents are sleeping in their graves. new init
macies are tormed--a new home is about him;
new cares distract him. He is abroad strug-
Cling amid the business Of life, or resting from
it with those whom he has chosen from his own
generation. Time is beginning to wrinkle his
forehead, and thought has robbed his looks Of
their gayety, and study has dimmed his eyes.
Those who began life after he had grown up,
are fast crowding him out of it, and there are
many claimants upon his industry!and love for
protection and support.
Years pass.--His children have become |
men, and are quitting him, as he also omitted
the home of his fathers. His steps have lost
elasticity, his hand has become familiar
with his cane, to which he is Obliged to trust in
his walks. He has left the battle which fati-
5ued him. He looks anxiously in each days
papers among the deaths-and then ponders
over the name of an old friend, and tries to pur-
himself that he is younger, and stronger,
md has a better hold upon life than any of his
contemporaries.
Months pass.-IIe gradually diminishes the
'ircle of his activity. He dislikes to 60 abroad,
he finds so many new faces, and he
to NEE. his former companions, after a
hort absence, they seem to have grown so old
nd intirm. Quiet enjoyments only are relished
"A little conversation about old times--a So
er game at whist--a religious treatise on his
arthly bed, form for him the sum total of his
~leasures.
Weeks pass.-1nfirmity keeps him in his cham
er. His walks are limited to the small space
his easy chair and his bed. His swol-
m limbs are wrapped in %t!annels. His Sights
.iling-his ears refuse their duty and his cup
but half filled, since, otherwise, his shaking
and cannot carry it to his shrunkeu lips, with
ut spilling its contents. His powers are wea-
ened-his faculties are blunted-his strength
lost.
Days pxss.-The old man does not leave his !,
memory is failing--he talks, but can !
ot be understandable asks questions, but they .
late to the transactions of a former genera ,
speaks Of occurrences, but the recol- j
ction OF no one around can go back to their S
enes-he seems to m with comrades, r
1t when he names them, it is found that the Ia
aters Of time and oblivion have long covered G
cir tombs.
Hours pass.-The taper grows DINNER and = Z
machinery moves yet more and n
ore slow1y--the sands are fewer as they "
easure the allotted span--the motion Of those C
'ove him is UNDECIDED or become a yexation. vi
,ch Inquiry after his health is a knell. The u
ring Of life can no longer force on its wheels cl
the "silver chord" is fast untwisting--the b
cher is broken at the fo~untain--and time sis
His children are all about him, but M
needs them not-his friends are near, but he
es not recognize them. The circle is conn., =
tied. The course is run-and utter weakness
sss the cold damp, which ushers IN the night p1
death, IN
Minutes pass-His breathing grows softer
4 slower-his pulse beats fainter and feebler. d.
around him are listening but cannot tell
en they cease. The embers are burnt out, oe
the blaze flashes not before it expires. His :.
rec score years and ten are numbered. HUI %
n life is "finished.n-New England Galaxy. !
- Id
p Tennyson contributes the following pr
mas to one of the new Animals for 1851: qu
Come NOD, when | am dead, X
To drop Thy foolish tears upon my grave,
70 trample round my falling head, ~
Andv Z the unhappy dust thou wouldst not ~
save. -