The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-02-25

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her heart. In searching The desk, he found
in its secret compartment! large packet
carefully enveloped in a white paper, and
tied with riband This he laid aside un-
i'll he examined all the loose and apparently |
less important papers. This done. he took
The chair which Helen used 10 occupy, and
placing it at her table, he proceeded to o.
pen the packet, II contained all the letter,
he had written 10 his wife before their mar
riage one, written by herself TO each of
her children, TO be handed to them at fu-
ture day, and last of all one to himself. This
he opened with eagerness, and throbbing
heart. 1t was dated lew days later than
the last he had received from her while at
Washington, hut il was written at intervals
and with an effort. The writing testified
how weak and tremulous was the hand that
guided the pen. 1t was us follows -
Ny dear, dear Husband,-
The days of your Helen are numbered,
are almost finished. Yesterday solem'Iy
adjured DR.. Miller to tell me the worst of
my case; and he says that few weeks must
finish my earthly course. And must we
part !-forevef-and so soon The very
morning of my life scarcely past, -and yet
am summoned away How shall bear
TO leave my husband and my children?
For many long months past, my heart has
seemed as if congealcd in my bosom, land
in looking back, all seems like n troubled
dream. Have been in kind Of sleep
Thank Heaven, am now awake and my
heart beats with fervcnt love and gratitude
though so soon 10 cease beating forever!
My dear husband, you are my idol.
lived only for you and myself IIappy-O
hOp happy in your love ! forgot the hand
that 'loaded me with benefits, "-ihnt show.
cred blessings in such rrofusion upon me
needed all the chastisement Ihave rcceiv
ell, to arouse me from my forgetfulness and
ingratiiude. But o, what cause for humii
alion, sorrow and regret-hat until my
heart-s,rings were breaking. should never
think OF consecraIins myself TO Him, who
has done so much for me Dearest hus
band avoid my example as YOU would The
pangs Of remorse, and perhaps final dc
siruction.
have been source of great unhappines
to you, my dear husband, ever since We
, were united. Had you found wife FIRE,
from such defects as unfortunately had how
happy had You been! My only consolation
is. that II was my sincere and constant wsl
to please YOU, however far / came short o
, it. o, forgive me, for every pang eve
caused YOU and think of me with Tenderness
and leniy,when my many imperfectiors car
trouble you no more
DR.. Miller came in and caught me in the
act of writing, and he peiemptorly forbit
il. But how can entirely refrain ? Per.
haps may never speak TO You again -aut
receive a letter as from the grave OF her vou
have loved so faithfully. At least, it is
comfort for me 10 write, and tell you agar
and again, of the love and gratitude tha
swell my heart think of YOU and pra,
for YOU and the dear children all the time
know need not enjoin i, upon you. NJ,
dearest husband TO he kind 10 my father
; and TO consider him, during life, as a parent
, II is very touching 10 see him now. He re
lains his wonted self-command, but look
heart broken at the prospect of losing hi
+ last remaining child. o. strive 10 console
him. in his utter loneliness May he be sus
: tanned by Almighty strength. All, how un
worthy am Of all this love anil regret
,
Permit me to request, dearest, that yol
will praise the children when they do well
The human heart needs commendaiion 70
: its encouragement in the path oil reclilude
, and we have the example of our blessed Sa
viour, and his inspired apostles, to warran
its usefulness and propriely. May furhe
request, that you leave them not too mucl
to the care and instruction oi others. N
one, like yourself, can train them up TO yirIu
and piey.
To-day have been thinking of our par
: ting in November. Ii came fresh 10 m
memory. as an unheeded sound will reIur
u 10 the ear. The remembrance Of your cok
of anguish, when about leaving us, wiring
: my heart with sorrow and regret. Ho'
could ! be so unfeeing then? Forgiv
me, dearest husband -
% "The shadows lengthen as my sun declines
My heart, at times, sinks in my bosor
like lead. When the psroxysms of feve
% pass away, most distressing lassitude 70
lows. D, that YOU were with me o, thi
might be permitted to breathe my La
g breath on your kind and atlectiohate bosom
y But if il is olherwse ordered, Thy will,
n Father, be done
Dear husband, we shall meet again b,
II yond the grave all looks bright and gloriou
"a Here, the shadow of death rests on ever,
'e thing. However good, however beautiful
J. however precious anything may be, thi
SC fearful shade ia nv TO blast and destroy. 81