The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-07-26

tAneifil notion that there was something su-
perpatnral In the matter suggesting the Pos-
sibility Of their dear Rrnest,a gentle spirit |
having thus ehdeav0red 90 show them that in
HHuthgr world hu stiil thuugirs of tl's''' ssd |
loved them, Richard combatted the idea by
eyery argument his reason offered HIM but AZ
he WAs convinced Of the fact, and could give
no satisfactory explanation Of H., he was a.
ast persuaded by her earnest entroaties 10
leave the picture untouched two or threw
days, and see what consequences would fol-
low The painting progressed daily, or
rather nightly Il advanced towards compile
tiuu Every morning struuFrr iikrHeHH NJ
the dead SMILED on them from the canvass
aud q more eskilful hand than the young paint
eris appeared To la engaged on tho work. It
was amaryel past their simple comprehension;
but the mother, confirmed N hsr hsliei, ro-
solved 30 watch, and Try if II might loo permit
ted 10 her living eyes % gaze again upon the
child whom the grave had shut from her sight
I WIN ms t0pd EiIu ruurrEiur- hrrvrtf. with
out Richards knowledge, in large closet IN
his bod-room-placing the door Ajar, that she
might see all that passed in the chamber
Her watch was ofno long duration; suddenly
her sleeping son rose from his couch, lighted
hA candle, approached his easel, and began
10 work at the portrait Much amazed, aud
half angry at the deception she believed he
had praetised on her, Mrs Monkton Issued
from her hiding place and spoke to him. lie
made no answer she stood before hm--he
saw her not he was fast asleep II was in.
deed spirits painting for love had in this
instance b0rut the bands Of matter, and the
Somnambuist had achieved work Of art
tina, surpassed all the efforts Of his waking
hours.
Tho story Of the sleep painting got abroad,
aud reached the ears OF a gentleman Of large
fortune, who resided in the neighborhood.-
called on the young artist; was pleased with
his manners, and proposed engaging him ~
travelling companion 20 his own son, a youth
about 10 visit Italy with his tutor; proiToring
a salary that would enable him 10 cultivate
his genius for painting in the land Of lis birth
and of its perfect maturity. The offer was
eagerly and thankfully accepted, and old
MonktoH made no opposition 20 his sons wish;
ne was only too thankful 10 BE- relieved FROM
tho burden Of supporting him. Indeed the
niser was somewhat changed since Erncsts
death mt that he expressed in words any re-
morse for having preferred lGs gold to tho
life ofhis fair young son but from that time
he mover touched the organ--thc spirit Of
music appeared To have died with Ernest.and
he often yisibly shrank from the silent an.
proach Of Richarlscycs, The ncighbors al
so summed him; they had loved poor Ernest,
and the conduct of his father towards him
the fact Of his refusing to pay the physician,
'bueause ho noVor sont Tor him'-and the
mean, paupcr like funeral which he grudg-
ingly bestowed on the dcad-royoted and
disgustcd them. a mean funeral was one of
the Offences the people Of X never for
gave The old man probably detected some
thing Of their feelings in their mannSrS, for
he gradually gave up his ordinary work a.
bout the yillagc-that is the keeping in re-
pair such cottages as belonged To him-and
remained much within doors. This change
ofhabits and want Of exercise told fatally ON
three score and ten, and probably hastcned
ed his DEATH which took place two years af.
tor his sons. lie died WITHOUT will but
lcft very considerable property. 1t was sup
posed he died intcstate, either because he
grudgcd the expense Of making a will, or be-
cause he could not endure the thought ofpart-
ing from the gold which had the worship and
service Of his life, Richard, on his return,
repaired the old farmhouse, and restored il
10 something like comfort fu- -pruvur fib.
eral, but not(as is frequently tho case in such
instanccD lavish The only piece of extrav.
agance of which he was ever accused-and
, II was The village stone mason who blamed
him for that-bcing the procuring Of an Gle.
giant marble monument from Italy, the work
of a first rate sculptor, to place over the grave
of his beloved brother. The figures on il
were an admirable likeness of Ernest, taken
from tho somnambulsts picture, and, two
, angelic beings in the act of presenting the
risen spirit with the palms and crown of vic
tory gained over sorrows suffering and death
The inscription ON the tomb had an awful
and touching meaning TO those who knew the
story Of the brothers life; and we know not
how we can better conclude our sketches of
the insane folly of gold worship, than by fin-
ishing them with those solemn words--'Lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven