Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-03-09

child Stop for mcr And presently they
would see a very little figure, growing larger
rs it came along, running to join them
When it came up. they all crowded round
it, and kissed and welcomed and then they
all went on together.
Sometimes they came to several avenues
at once, and then they all stood still, and one
of the children <1id, Father, am going to
sea, and anofher said, Father, I'm going
to India and another, Father l am going
to seek my fortune where | can,' and anoth-
er, Father. am going to HeavenP So.
with many teaEs at parting they went, soli-
tary, down those avenues, each child upon its
way; and the child who went TO Heaven,
rose into the golden air and vanished.
Whenever these partings happened, the
traveller looked at the gentleman, and saw
him g ance up at the sky above the trees,
when the day was beginning to decline, and
the sunset to come on. He saw, too, that
his hair was turning gray. But they new
er could rest long, for they had their journey
to perform, and it was necessary for them to
De always husy.
At last, there had been so many partings
that there were no children left, and only
the traveller, the gentleman and the lady,
went upon their way in company. And
now the wood was yellow; and now brown :;
and the leaves, even of the forest trees, be-
gan to fall.
So they came to an avenue that was dark
er than the rest, and were pressing forward
on their journey without looking down it,
when the lady stopped
My husband, said the lady, I am call
Cd
They listened, and :hey beard voice, a
long way down the avenue, saying, Mother,
mother!
1t was the voice of the first child who had
said, | am going to heaven 2 and the father
said, ! pray not yet. The sunset is very
near. pray not yet
But the voice cried, Mother, mother!
without slinding him, though his hair was
now quite white, and tears were on his face.
Then the mother. who was already drawn
into the shade Of the dark avenue, and muy-
ing away with her arms still round his neck,
kissed him aHd sdd, My dearest, ain sum-
moned, anG 90! And she was gone.-
And the traveller and be were left alone to-
gethcr,
And they went on and on together, until
they came to very near the end of the wood !:
so near that they could see the sunset shin
nE red before them throq h the trees WOW
among the branches, the traveller lost his
friend. lie called. and called, but there was
no reply; and when he passed ont Of the
wood, and saw the peaceful sun going down
upon wide purple prospect, he came to an
old man sitting ON Etllen tree. So he said
to the old man, What do You do here 2
And The old man said, with calm smile
| am always remembering. Come and re-
member with mel
s. the traveller sat down by the side o
The old man, face to face with the seren,
sunset: An all his friends came softly back
and stool a'ound him. The beautiful child
the h,nds,ne hov. the young man in love
the father mother and children: every OH,
of them wa there, and We had lost nothing
s. he loved them all, and was ALWAYS pleas
ed to watch them all, and they all honore,
and loved him. AnG [ think the travelle
must he Yourself dear grandfather, becaus
it is what YOU do to lis, and what we do +
YOU.