Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-04-01
To be COniinued.)
THE MOTHER AND HER CHILD.
pAslsn FAIRY LEGEND.

n
where shallI find Death, that may ask him
TO restore to me my little child p inquired an un-
happy mother, on reaching the abode OF the
King Of Terrors.
HE has not vet returned replied hoary-
headed old woman, who was wandering TO and
fro in Death s conservatory, which she had been
left 10 guard in his absence. U
How didst thou find thy way here ? who has
helped thee?'
'Our Lord has helped me- she answered;-
'He is merciful, and thou, too wilt be merciful.
Where shall find my little child?'
| i do not know said the old woman and
thou, too, perceive, canst potssec. Many
flowers and trees have withered during this
night Death will come very soon to transplant
them. Thou must know that every human be-
NJ has his tree or flower of life, as is appoint
ed for each. They look like common yegeta-
bles, but their hearts beat. So be of good cheer,
perchance thou may'st be able 10 distinguish the
heartbeat Of thy child but what wilt thou give
me, il | tell thee what else thou must dor
Il have nothing to give said the snenrninss
mother, but will go to the end of the world at
thy bidding -,
il want nothing from the end Of the world,
said the old woman; but thou-esnst give Inc
thy long black hair. Thoc must know well
that it is very beautiful; it pleases me exceed
inglyi And thou canst have my white hair in
exchange; even that will be better than none
sDesirest thou nothing further p returned the
, mother; Il will give 1t thee right willingly
And she gave away her beautiful hair, and
received instead the thin snow-white locks OF
1 the old woman. And they entered Deaths vast
l conservatory, where flowers and trees grew in
wonderful order and variety. There were del
, icatc hyacinths protected by glasses, ant
| great healthy peonies. There grew water
; plants, some looking quite fresh, some sickly
| water-snakes were cliLging about them, an.
black crabs clung fast by the stalks. Here
) were seen magnificent Palm-trees, oaks, an'
t plaRtains; wonder clustered the humble parsley
a and fragrant thyme. Not tree, net a flower
but had its name, each corresponding with hu
\ man life; the persons whose name$tkey bore
{ lived in all countries and nations on the earth
one in China, another in Greenland, and so forth
e There were some large trees planted IN lltti'
potts. so that their roots were contracted, and tn
e trees themselves ready to break out from th
: pots; on the other hand, there was many weak
c iy tiny herb set in rich mould, with moss lai o
J, Ver its roots and the utmost care and attention
o bestowed upon its preservation. And the grie
wing mother bent down over all the TIMES
: plants, in each one she heard the pulse OF hu
man life; and out Of million others she distin
a gushed the heart -throb Of her child.
e There 1t is I cried she, stretching her han
d over little blue crocus flower which was hang
l. ing down on one side, sickly and feeble.
Il, Touch not the flow erP said the old woman
$. But place thyself here; ard when Death sha
m come-I expect him every mlnute-then sunS
,e him not 10 tear up the plant; but threaten to
or so by all the other Aowers-that will terrii
I'd himi For he will have to answer Tor 1t to OF
Lord; no plant may be rooted up before the a
o. mighty has given permission
il Suddenly an iey-oold breath swept throue
mo- the hall and the blind mother felt that Death HI
arrived. -, .,
h. How hast thou found thy way hither? ask,
he. How couldst thou arrive here more que
ly than ~
/ will tell the names of the two Howe
which thou vert about TO pluck, and thou SIN
see pictured in the well their whole future, I
", entire course Of their human lives. Thou sh
ler see all that thou hast yearRed TO destroy;
And she gazed in the we'll; and lovely siE
,o- it was to see how one Of these lives became
out blessing to the whole wsrld, TO see what 81
IAN shine Of Joy and happiness i dhiused around
ac- And she beheld the life Of the other, and th'
err was sin and Sorrow, misfortune and nlier MI
md ry. ,
do "Both are Gods VIII sald uea'h'
Law (which of them is the flower OF unhap
red ness, andwhich the blessed aud blessing one
his inquired she,
INV t'That will not tell thee" returned DeS
shut this shNlt thou learn from me; ss' o,,s ~,
pal- them WAS the flower Of thine own chic.
hast seen the destiny, the future oil 'iAlhs .
on child" A .,.,l, a.,
l..Whioh Of the two is my childY Tell me u
save tho innocent. chiidI Release my q
from All this nniseryl Rather bear il ava!
hsar /, into Gods kinRdomi Foiget my tei
s'" fS osrst my my sntrsssies, ana III that have dos
81 do not understand thee,n said Deaet
..Nnt thou have thy child back again, or ;
80 ,s't'1 r. e