Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-02-20
A Touching Narrative.
BY L. G.. CLARK.

"A EOuCn1Mk
BY L. G. CLARK.
have often wondered why it is that parents and
guardians do not more frequently and more cordi-
ally reciprocate the confidence of children. How
hard it is to convince child that his father or
mother can do wrong Our little people are al
ways our most sturdy defenders. They are loyal
to the maxim 'that the king can do no wrongs; and
all the monarchs they know are their parents. L
heard the other day from the lips ola distinguish
ed physician, formerly of New York, but now llv-
ing in elegant retirement in beautiful country
town of Long Island, touching illustration of the
truth of these suggestions
4 have had, said the doctor, "a good deal of ex-
perence in the long practice of my profession In
the city, that is remarkable than anything re-
corded in the DIARY of a London Physician 1t
would be impossible for me to detail to you the
hundredth part of the interesting and exciting
things which saw and heard. That which at
fected me most, of late years, was the case of
boy, not, think, over twelve years of age. first
saw him at the hospital, whittier, being poor and
without parents, he had been brought to die
sHe was the most beautiful boy ever beheld.-
He had that peculiar cast circumference and COM
plexion which we notice in those who are afflicted
with frequent hemorrhage of the lungs. He was
very beautiful His brow was broad, fair, and IN
tellectual his eyes had that deep interior blue OF
the sky itself; his complexion was like the lily,
tinted, Just below the cheek bone, with hectic
flush
/ NC oh
! Mid ruin blooms the rose
! And his hair, which was soft as floss silk,
hung in luxuriant curls about his face. But o.,
what an expression of deep melancholy his coun-
tenance wore so remarkable that felt certain
that the fear of death had nothing to do with It
And was right Young as he was, he did not
wish to live He repeatedly said that death was
what he most desired; and it was truly dreadful to
hear one so young and SO beautiful talk like this
! % = he would say, let me die! let me die! don't
try to save mel want to die Nevertheless, he
was most affectionate, and was extremely grateful
for everything that could do for his relief soon
! won his heart, but perceived with pain, that his
| disease of BODY was nothing to his sickness of
SOUL which could not heal. He leaned upon my
/ bosom and wept, while at the same time he prayed
for death. have never seen one of his years who
courted it so sincerely. | tried IN every way 10
elicit from him what it was that rendered HIM so
unhappy; but his lips were sealed, and he was like
ono who tried to turn his face from something
which oppressed his spirit.
1T subsequently appeared that the father OF this
child was hanged for murder in B--county a.
bout two years before. 1t was the most cold-bood-
ed homicide that had ever been known IN that Sec
ton of the country The excitement ragged high !;
and recollect that the stake and the gallows We'd
with each other for the victim. The mob labored
hard to get the man out of jail, that they might
wreak summary vengeance upon him by hanging
him to the nearest tree Nevertheless, law ul-
umphcd, and he was hanged. Justice held up her
equal scales with satisfaction, and there was much
trumneting forth of this consummation. In which
even the women, merciful, tender-hearted women,
seemed to take delight.
Perceiving the boys life to be waning, en-
deayored one day to turn his mind to religious SUD-
ects, apprehending no difficulty in one SO young
but he always evaded the topic. asked MN Ii ne
had said his prayers. He replied
! sOnce always-nOU, never
This answer surprised me very mucn' ana en-
deayored gently to impress him with the fact that
. more deyout frame of mind would be becoming
in him, and with the great necessity OF his being
nrenared to die; but he remained silent.
"A few days afterwards, asked him whether ne
would not permit me to send for the Rev. DIR. b
-, a most kind man in sickness, who would
be of the utmost service to him in his present stu
alton. He declined firmly and positively. Then
| determined to solve this mystery, and to under
stand this strange phase of character IN a mere
child. my dear boy, said l. Il implore you not to
act in this manner What can so have disturbed
your young mind You certainly believe there Is