The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-11-29
The Two Consumptives.
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We had just lott the narrow aisles and white
bead stonea Of country grave yard and
Whue the bell sfii Lallowsd the summer At
by IL nl0nEHflal i.ste-r-hfsri -wuEpiIF TfIonds
lingered in the shadows OF cypross aud yow
trees, ibe vontrahie Doctor L. and my
self moved slowly honewaFd. WU did not
eSebaoge Worl oa our way, for there was
sorrow IN the heart Of each, though, stranger
As wah TO the fair young creature but lately
eonsigned 10 dust,my tears had been she'd on
ly on the impulse OF the moment, and my
grief was ofteu dis'patod by passing occurren-
geS
Tue stiffness Of the antique and dark old
church had oppressed me the plaintivo mu-
sic OF four silyery voices, chanting a requiem,
filled my soul with gloom; tLc trembling tones
Of the white haired pastor, had strangely az.
footed mo but sad,ler than all was tho sight
oCthat SURPRISINGLY lovely maiden, white and
cold, sleeping 80 calmly in her shroud, whilo
upon her dead bosou, were laid roses and Ill
ies hlGndcd ,fgetbqr; ith their fair beauty
and sweet fragrance robbing death ofits most
unpleasant features
Some days passed before threw OF the
chill that erePt through all my veins whenev-
or recurred TO the scene was very Young
and death in any shape seemed repulsiyo /;
aoubly so vixen il singled out for It's victims
the beautiful aud the loved, while yet youth
reveled amid their tresses, and sportod on
lip, check and brow.
was passing the summer months with an
! aged relative OF ny mothers, her uncle on
the maternal side. For nearly seventy years
he had been practiciDF physician, but bo
had now given place 10 his aRly son, who had
studied his own profession, and who, in n
ncigl'boring city, was living in s1luenec, en-
joying the favor and esteem OF the public
But Iherc were some thrrn or four ancient
families who would no, give up the old doctor
for the new and my uncle, now in his nine
ty-third ycar,took an occasional round among
his acquaintance and patients. Everybody
loved the white haired man. who, though 40
Car advanced in life, was still eroct, and un.
wrinSled; indeed have seen men of ihy
nch-more decrepit in Rppearnnce.
One morning M the break fast table,
iaashiHsl.,s offered TO aeoompSny my relative
on a professional visit Ellen, the biggest
bit Of a beauty" as sometimes called her,
thu youngest and pet grandchild Of the old
gentleman, looked up with a shade Of sadness
in her bright blue eye.
"lndoed, and wouldn't if wns vou,v she
said, quickly, ''poor Mr. LasceIes looks very
badly, have been there mysclk'
"Laseellss," answered, enquirinaly, was
It not Evaline LasceIIGs, who was buried from
the village church lately ?"
Yes; and this poor boy is her brother :"
replied the Doctor "he has the same dire
disease and is fast following Evaline. Though
bat yet youth, and surrounded with luxu-
ries, his young life has been one Of trial and
suffering; and were it not for the sweet
hope Of religion, which sustains him in the
most trying moments, he would DO comfort
less indeed"
as it consumption then ?'' asked, faintly,
for the bare word made my check pallid, and
my tones trcmulous.
YES, and most trying case il is what we
old Doctors sometimes style the seven wears
plague. Since his eighth year, poor EvGrard
has never been two months at time from bis
couch-Poor young thing--poor child" he
addedto himself; the sunny elmes Of France
and Italy have been unavaling to restore
him"
had never sSS'gi n fs'7TEtFTl. sirk with con-
sumption, and instantly resolved 10 20 with
my uncle ifpossibIc; so while the stable boy
stood holding the old grey, and the good doc
tor was raising bis hat from ats accustomed
place, laid my hand hpon his arm and whis-
pered-"Uncle IL you would let me accompa-
ny you, should be very much pleased"
"Certalny, dcari' be exclaimed. with an
imhtion, replacing his hat on the stand II
meant you should go when you spoke Of it
this morning, but an old man you see is for
getful sometimes. am not much of gallant,
dear, for smart young lady Gkc yeu, but get
on your bonnet, and / will do the best that
can"
In a few moments sat in the chaise beside
my great uncle, and after lovely drive Of
some twenty minutes, we were ON the east
side of the villageyand stopping before an an
cient but very beautiful mansion, environed
by the most delightful grounds; Il seemed
to me like a paradise rs eat in the chaise
and gaEed on oTe side at the delitiously green
&tlark forostst& on the other,at distant cottag-
cs, thrifty farms, and a bright blue river mo
andorihg through meadows and sparkling in
the suns could not bring my mind TO think
Of death ard sickness in eonnexion with so
much loyelincss,
The doctor entered broad hall, on each
side Of which, hung some finc old paintings,
and directing me to follow, walked 5OftIy up
stairs At the head ofihe landing. tall and
elogaDtiady stood and held forth bor dark