The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-04-19
From Gody's Lady's Book.
A TOUCHING NARRATIVE.
ny LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK.

ny LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK.
have wondered why it is that parents and
guardians donot more frequently and cordially re-
ciproeate the confidence of children. How hard
it is to convince a child that his father or mother
can do any wrong Our little people are always
sturdcst defenders, they are loyal to the
maxim that 'rhe king can do no wrong" and all
the monarchs they know are their parents. |
heard the other day; from the lips of dis
tinguished physician formerly of New York, but
now living in beautiful country town of Long
Island; touching illustration Of the truth ofthis
sentiments:
81 have had,'' said the doctor, ga good deal
OF experience in the long practice Of my profess
sion i'll this city, that is more remarkable than
anything recorded in the '.Diary of a London
Physician" II would be impossible for me to
detail to you the hundredth part of the interest
ing and exciting things which | saw and heard.
That which effected me most of late years, was
the case ola 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. He was the most beautiful boy
ever behold. He had the peculiar cast of
countcnancc and complexion which VIC notice
in those who are afflicted with frequent hermor-
age oflhe lungs. He was very beautiful! His
brow was broad, fair and Intellectual; his eyes
had the deep interior blue of the sky itself; his
complexion was like the lily, tinted Just below
the cheek bone, with hectic flush
GAS on consumption's waning check,
Mid ruin blooms the rose"
and his hair, which was as soft as floss silk hung
in luXuriant curls about his face. But oh what
an expression of deep melancholy his counte-
nance wore! so remarkable that | felt certain
that the fear of death had nothing to do with it.
And was right. Young rs he was he did not
ta,ll,
what he most desired; and ii was truly dreadful
TO hear ono so young and so beautiful talk like
this: "Oh!'' he would say, ''let me die! let me
die! don't Try 70 save me; | want 10 die!'' New
erthelcss he was extremely grateful Tor every
thing could do for his relief. | soon won his
heart, but perceived with pain that his disease
of body was nothing to 'his sickness ofthe SOUL ,
which could not heal. He leaned against my
bosom and wept, VII lie at the same time he pray
ed for death. ! have never seen one of his years
who courted it so sincerely | tried in every
way to elicit from him what it was that render
ed him so unhappy; but his lips were sealed, and
he was like one who tried TO turn his face from
something which oppressed his spirit.
1t subsequently appeared that the father otthis
child was hanged for murder, in B. county
about two years before. 1t was the most cold
bloodcd homicide that had ever been known in
that country. The excitement ragged high; and
recollect that the stake and galows We'd with
each other for the victim. The mob labored
hard TO get the man out of Jail that they might
wrcak summary vengeance upon him by hang ing
him to the nearest tree. But law triumphed
and he was hanged. Justice held up her equal
scales with satisfaction, and there was much
trumpetine forth of this consummation, in which
even the women-merciiul, tender-heartcd wo-
men-secmed to take delight.
ssDprrpiyipu he boy;e life IN ho uanipu I on
dcavored 10 turn his mind to religious subjects,
experimenting no difficulty in one so young; but
he always evaded the topic. | asked him II he
had said his prayers. He replied:
"OnCe always notU never!''
''This answer surprised me very much; and
endcavored gently TO impress him with the fact
that more devout frame of mind would be be-
coming in him, and with the great necessity of
being prepared to die; but he remained silent.
"a few days after asked him il he would per-
nit me to send for the Rev. Doctor B., most
kind man in sickness, who would be Of the ut
most service to him in his present situation. He
declined firmly and positively. Then deter
mined TO solve this mystery, and TO understand
this strange phase of character in mere child
'sMy dear boy,' said 81 implore you not to act
in this manner. What can so have disturbed
your young mindl You certainly believe there
is God. to whom you owe debt of gratitude 7"
ellis eye kinded, and to my SURPRISE might
almost say horror heard from his young lips:
"No, don't believe there is Il God!"
eyes, that little boy, young as he was, was an
atheist; and he even reasoned in logical man
ner for mere child like him.
81 cannot believe that there is n Sod" said
he; s.for if there were a God, he must be merci-
full and just; and he never, merer, NEVER could
have permitted my father, who was innocent, to
he hanpedl Oh my father nv fntherI' he ex-