The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-12
NO. 332.

At this time AIDA was attacked with scarla-
tna--that dreaded disease, that has rOl bed 20
many Of us Of our swcctest bios-oms-that has
vacated ono little chair in almost every house
hold.
In less than twelve hours after the attack
AIDA was alarmingly ILL., The most skillul
physicians were summoned but all TO no pur-
pOse--she grew worse aud worse. The mother.
and the father, too, became fully alive to her
dangerous situation. Their minds were divert
ed from all other intcrests-they forgot their
former troubles, for now tho life Of their child
engrossed their whole being
Mira. PyPer, although fashionable woman.
was very affectionate mother; and the fathers
whole heart was bound up in his little darling
1t is true, he had treated her very unkindly
within few weeks; but he was evidently de-
ranged-he knew not what he did Now, he
would give all he ever had, and all he might
ever acquire, to save the life Of his idol They
glided noiselessly around the couch Of the little
sufferer; they gazed earnestly into the dim
eyes and on the livid face of their loved one
| Hour after hour was passed in suspense and in
anguish, and the silent watches Of the night
found the heart.stricken parents bending over
the dying child. Anon was heard the wall of
prayer; and the Good Father of US all, who
never willingly afilicts his children, was i'm
plored to spare her Mr. and Mrs. Piper were
not praying people; but they prayed then
they prayed Tor their child-they prayed for
| themselves.
But death claimed for his own, the beautiful
AIDA. On the third day of her illness, when
the morning sun struggled through the closed
windows of her sick room, the little form that
had been burning with fever, and restless with
pain, was cold and still. No murmur was
heard then, no tear was shed the affection
was too deep.
The parents left not the cherished clay. till
it was taken to the tomb. Two DAYS and two
nights they spent alone with their dead child
and very profitable season it proved to be.
They were sorely tried, and they came forth
purified. With higher aims, with nobler views
of life, with the desire stereotyped into their
souls to seek for spiritual riches more earnestly
than for temporal goods, they commenced u
new existence.
How humiliating that we cannot learn to
live Alright, without such bitter, such terrible
experience! And how much to be regretted,
that 50 few Of us learn the lesson, even then
Mr.. Pyper's fine situation in c. was sold
All the property that could be disposed of, was
converted into money. His wife saw all the
beautiful furniture taken away, and all the
rare and costly things that had ministered to
her vanity; but not sigh escaped her, She
said, in her heart, 81 have done with them
Other, and higher, and better interests occupy
me. These are good in themselves, and much
to be desired; but they proved snaren Every
thing was given up to the creditors and, even
then, only sixty cents were paid on the dollar
They removed to Iowa, and Mr.. Piper coon
engaged as book-keeper in a mercantile estab-
lishment. His salary was sufficient for their
support. Mrs. Piper has become great
economist. She is her own housekeeper, and
declares she likes it very much. They are now
very happy in each other and in another dear
little Ada that has come to bless them.