Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-11-27
CHAPTER II.

1t was cold, bitter night. The first snow stole
silently down. and covered the earth with its white
pail. 1t late; the streets were still, and only
here and there solitary Traveller wended his way
noiselcsy along, his prints scarce made before
| lost in the fast falling snow.
Through The creviecs of dismal garrct it sifted
slowly, and lay in white drifts on the rcketty floor
A single lamp burned dimly and east ltful glare
on the wan features of an emacated woman, who
lay on a miserable bed. Her cheek was hollow,
and the bloom of the death-rose was there Her
eyes were closed, and their lids lay like the petals
of the water-lily, white and bloodless The snowy
temples rose and fell with the thros of the ebbing
ebloOd and the still beautiful hair, with here and
there gliStening thread of silver, shaded brow,
where grief and care, and the hearts deep agony
had left their traces.
o! who could see in that sOrrow-stricken face.
the blooming beauty. the joyous lineaments of FL
len Hale. Woe deep woe, had been her portion
She had seen her best loved go down step by step
into the valley, darker than death She had seen
every affection and hope trampled and crushed by
the iiend Inemperance and now far from the scenes
where once her path in life knew not a thorn she
was dying. Yet could she welcome the stern mes
senger as an angel of light, but for her children
Her children, o how that loving heart clung to
them and yet she struggling said, "Thy will be
done"
Beside her bed they knclt, watching her uneasy
sumber. The sad, thoughtful eyes of Frank, were
fixed on her face and the pale thin hand lay clasp
ed in his. He moved not scarcely breathed, lest
he disturb her peace His sorrowing, yearning,
sympathizing, heart, had expanded his brow, and
made him in thought almost man, and this child
in years had long borne share of his mothers sor-
rows; and he c.zed on that fading face his heart
almost stood still, and he could scarce suppress a
cry of agony; but the sweet soft voice of his moth
er stole like balm into his heart" Consider the ra-
vens, for they neither sow nor reap which have
neither storchouse or barn, and God feedeth them'
With a start, the sleeper awoke, and with her
bright burning eyes fixed him, family whispered
"Darlings?"
ave are here mother. Do you feel better?'
"My children o my children, but few hours
more of earth, and shall be where no sorrow
comes"
"Let me go for the Doctor, mother, dear mother"
"No no Frankly" she said in broken accents, as
her breath came quick aud Short "before you re-
turn | may be --. No darling, stay with me-
Come nearer for my eyes are dim; let me feel your
breath, my children Weep not, for He who clothes
the lilies of the field will care for you. Walter, my
| Uditer,-O God, forgive him,--have mercy on him.
Tell him, Frankly" and her voice grew fainter, Il
forgave him, that loved him to the last. Annie,
kiss my check, it is cold, cold."
For few moments she lay still, and her lips
| moved, as if in prayer then with sudden effort
raised herself and clasping tightly the hand of her
boy, said, "PrOmise me Hor, before die you will
never - Her voice failed, and she sunk back on
her pillow.
He knelt by her side, and raising his eyes to hea-
ven, said in a low, fevered voice, MY Father, be-
fore Thee this night, promise, never shall drop
| of that which can intOxcate pass my lips. So
| help me God"
! There was a low sigh The sorrowing spirit had
departed. That "fre crown" was now exchanged
for The glorious dadem. o, what an hour for those
motherless ones. But, an eye of pity looked on
! them and His sheltering wing o'ershadOwed them.
Hour after hour Sped and no tears came to that
lone watcher, for Annie worn with grief, and cold,
and hHnser had fallen on the floor in deep Sleep
and he had tendery laid her few rags her only
bed, in dark corner. He was alone with the dead
The Light of the only lamp had faded, hckered and
gone bat still he clasped that icy hand, and again
and again came that whispered cry, "My mother |!
o, my mother" Those hours seemed like years;
but, God was with him in the darkness and still
ness, and at last an inner light beamed forth, and