The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-12-29
J.. J. ".

THE d. nee OF DEArH.-A Custom OF CHILL
-Aq'ardien,e and dulces were handed round; while
all men ana women--,he dancers excepted-smokcd
their cIrgarillos. But the most remarkable in the
room seemed TO me large kind of scalFold which
occupied the other corner opposite the bed consisting
Of light framework, cove'd with artificial flowers
little pictures OF saints, and quantity Of small light
ed wax candles. On the top of il "A most exraord-
nary we!i-made wax figure Of little child was seated
on low wooden chair, dressed in snow white little
ock; the eyes closed the pale cheel. tinyed by
soft rosy hue, and the whole figure perfectly strewn
with flowers. IL was so deceptive that when drew
near at first thought it a real child, while a Young
woman below it, pale ard with tears in her ewes,
might have been the mother. But that was most
certainly mistake; for at this moment one Of The
men stepped up TO her and invited her to the dance
and III lew moments afterwards she was one of the
nerriest IN the crowd. But il must be c,ild--no
sculptor could have formed that little face so cNuui-
sitey; and now light out, close to the littIe
head and the cheek lost It's rosy hue.
My eighbors at last rema ked the attention with
which looked Ipon the figure or child whichever it
was; and the nearest informed me- far as
could understand him, that the little thing up there
was really the child of the woman with The pale face
who was dancing Just then uerry the whole fas-
'vty taking place, III fact, only the account OF that
hide angel. shook my head doubiiully; and III,
neishbor, To convince me, took my and led me
10 the frame, where had to step upon the chair
aud nearest table, and touch the check and hand Of
the child. Ii was corpse. And the mother, seeing
had doubted it, but convinced, came up TO
me, and smiiiney told me it had been her child and
angel in heaven.
The guitars and cacacs commenced wildly again,
and she had 10 return to the dance. left the house
IN Il dream, but afterwards heard the explanation
Of this ceremony. Ii liule child believe up 10
four years Of agedcs in Chill, il is thong hit to 20
sttaish; 20 heaven, and become a little angel the
mother being p:oulcr Of that-betore the ewes Of the
world N llast than ii she had reared her child to
lapEy wo'uanhood. The little corpse j. en-
hbIted t!,ei, as had it; and they often conn-
dancing and singing round it till 1t displays signs
Of yutrciicioa. Rut the mother whatever the feel
n-s Of the heart may be, must laugh and sing. and
dance; she dare not give way to any selfish wishes,
for is not the happiness of her child secured! Poor
,iothfr.-Gersat cher's Journey Round the " ORD
WAsHISGroS AT MoSMourH-At the celebra-
tion at Ta'rytown, the Rev MIR. Van Pelt gave some
interesting "reminiscences OF his conversations it'll
Lafayette III 1924. We take the following from the
report in the Ny. Times:
"LaGyettc described Washington's manner and
language IN addressing Gen. Lee, when he met him
in full before the British the battle Of Mon
mouth. Washington had given Lee orders TO en-
gage the enemy certain point within fixed time !;
after the time had elapsed. hearing no guns, he
rode TO a rising ground and taking his glass per-
ceived Lee in full retreat. He said to Lafayette
We ii ride to Gen. Lee and putting spurs their
horses thry came to where Leo with his troops
were retrea;ng before the British, who in adj
mrable order and steadily advancing Washington's
eyes flashed fire, and Lafayette said that the only
occasion which he ever known to utter an
oath, then. Addressing Lee goa ID pol
tr0D,, he ordered HIN under arrest, and asked his
men if they would fight The day intensity hot,
and they too much overcome cheer, but they
put their caps the ends Of their muskets and
swung them in the arr Washington marched them
to a rail fence which they rested their guns.
,.,A
were within pistol shot. They did so, and the
cu;ion terrible. The tide of the battle was
turned and victory soon settled on the American ban
ner.''