North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-09-17

having thus endeayored to show them, that in an
other world he still thought of them and loved them
Richard combatted the idea by every argument his
reason offered him but he was convinced of the
fact and could give satisfactory explanation of
it he was at last persuaded by her earnest entrea-
ties to leave the picture untouched for twoor three
DAYS, and see what consequences would follow.
The painting progressed daily or rather nightly,
it advanced toward completion. Every morning
stronger likeness of the dead smiled ON them from
the canvass and more skilful hand than the young
painters appeared to be engaged on the work. 1t
was a marvel past their simple comprehension;
but the mother, confirmed in her first belief resoy-
ed to watch and try if it might be permitted to her
living eyes to gaze upon the child whom the grave
had shut from her sight With this hope she con-
cealed herself without Richards knowledge, in
large closet in his bed-room-placing the door ajar
that she might all that passed in the chamber
Her watch was of no long Duration suddenly her
sleeping son rose from his couch, lighted his candle
approached his easel, and began to work at the
portrait Much amazed, and half angry at the de-
ception she believed he had practiced on her, Mrs.
Monckton issued from her hiding-place, and spoke
to him. He made her no answer she stood before
him-he saw her not he was fast asleep! 1t was
indeed spirits painting for love had in this in
stance burst the bands of matter, and the somnam-
bulist had achieved work of art that surpassed all
the efforts of his waking hours.
The story of the sleep painting got abroad, and
reached the ears of a gentleman of large fortune
who resided in the neghborhood. He called on
the young artist; was pleased with his manners );
and proposed engaging him as travelling companion
to his own son. youth about to visit Italy with his
tutor profering salary that would enable him to
cultivate his genius for painting in the land of its
birth, and of its perfect maturity. The offer was
eagerly and thankfully accepted, and old Monckton
made no opposition to his sons wish he was only
too thankful to be relieved from the burden of sup
T,Io %ha hot
changed since Ernest's death not that he express
ed in words any remorse for having preferred his
gold to the life of his fair Young but from that
time he never touched the organ-the spirit of
music appeared to have died with Ernest; and he
often yisibly shrank from meeting the silent re-
proach of Richards eyes. The neighbors also shun
ned him; they had lored poor Ernest, and the con-
duct of his father toward him-the fact of his re-
fusing to pay the physician who had attended him,
" because he never sent for him and the mean,
pauper-like funeral which he had grudgingly be-
slowed on the dead-revolted and disguised them.
A mean funeral was one of the offences the people
of k never forgave! The old man probably
detected something of their feelings in their man.
ners, for he gradually gave up his ordinary work
about the village-that is, the keeping in repair
such cottages as belonged to him-and remained
want of exercise told fatally three and ten
and probably fastened his death, which took place
two years after his sons. He died without will,
but left very considerable property. 1t was sup
posed he died intestate either because he grudged
the expense of making will, or because he could
not endure the thought of parting from the gold
which had had the worship and service of his life.
Richard, his return, repaired the old farmhouse,
and restored it to something like comfort He
proved liberal, but not las is frequently the in
such instances) lavish. The only piece of extrava
gance of which he was ever accused-and it was
the village stone-mason who blamed him for that
being the procuring elegant marble monument |
from Italy, the work of rstrate sculptor to place
over the grave of his beloved brother. The figures
On it were an admirable likeness of Ernest, taken
rom the somnambulist's picture, and two angelic
beings in the act of presenting the risen spirit with
The palms and crown of victory gained sorrow,
suffering, and death. The inscription on the tomb
mad an awful and touching meaning to those who
knew the story of the brothers life; and we know
not how can better conclude our sketches of the
insane folly of gold-worship, than by furnishing
hem with those solemn words -" Lay up for
yourselves treasure in Heaven"
Harrer's Magazine.