The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-11-16
Whole Number 1916
From Chambers Ediaburzh Journal.
LITTLE FRANCEE.
WHEN THEsU MINER COMES.

loneliness seems almost more IF heaven than of
earth-even passing glimpse stirring our hearts,
and filling them with purer and holier thoughts.-
But this, the little France, was more of a cberub
than an angel-as we picture them-with his glad
some hazel eyes, his dazzling fairness his cluster
ing golden hair, and his almost winged step. Such
he was ut lenst, until sickness laid his heavy hand
upon him. then, indeed, when after days of burn
ing and wasting fever, hours cf weary rest
essness-the Little hand at last lRy motionless out
side the scarcely whittier coverlet of his tpy he'd
the fair still head pressed down upon the pillow.
and the pale face gazing with intent silent wonder
OF returning consciousness ON The anxious ones
around it; then, indeed. Il bright yet plying look
would fit across it, or dwell in the anxious ewes
a look such as we assign 10 angels in our dreams.
when some fond fancy seems to bring them near
to US. weeping for mortal grefs beyond their rem
edy. --
1t was straage sickness for one SO voung-the
struggle of typhus fever with baby frame; but
life and youth obtained the victory; and quicker
even than hope could venture to expect, the pull
ses rallied. the cheeks grew round and rosy, and
the little limbs filled up ngain. Health was restor
ed-health but not strength; we thought this for
while. We did not wonder that the weak limbs
refused their Office, and still we waited on in hone
until days, and even weeks passed by; then it was
found that the complaint had left its bitter sting,
! and little Francie could not walk step or even
| stand.
| Many and tedious and painful were the RENE
dies reEorted to; yet the brave little heart bore
s'ouIly up. with that wonderful fortitude, almost
herr NIL ybob boya
| childhood, when the tractible spirit bends to its
early discipline, must at some time other have
| remarked. Francie's forude might have afford.
| ed an example TO many; but dearer lesson was
given iu the hopeful spirit with which the little fell
low himself noted the effect ofprogress and show
ing off with eager gladness each step attained
| from the first creeping on the hands and knees TO
the tip-toe journey round the Dom, holding on by
chairs and tables; and then to the cnging to some
loving hand; and then, at last, thu graceful balanc
ing of his light body, until he stood quite erect
alone, and so moved slowly on.
! 1t was in autumn that this illness seized on the
little one. just when the leaves were turning and
the orchard fruits becoming ripe. His nurse at
ributed it all to his sitting grassy bank at play
on uncertain autumn day; but he in his child
!
seIf-eating red berries in the holly bower."-
However this may have been, the season and time
seemed indelibly impressed upon his mind, 10
all his long confinement to the house. his thoughts
continually turned to outward objects to the ete,-
nal face of nature and the seasons change, and
eyermore his little word of hope wus this; when
the Summer comes"
He kept up Throughout the long winter, and
the bleak cold spring. A fairy little carriage had
been provided for HIM, in which, well wrapped up
from the cold. and resting soft cushions, he was
lightly drawn along by servant, to his great
delight, and the admiration of many young be-
holder. But when any ne-attempting to recon-
cie him the better to his position -expatiated on
the beauty comfort of his new acquisition, his
eager look and word would show how far he went
beyond it, quickly interrupting,he would excain.
''wait till summer comes-then Francie will walk
again.
I During the winter there was fearful storm; it
shook the windows, moaued in the old trees, and
howled down the cbimneys with most menacing
voice. Older hearts than Francis's quailed that
night, and he, unable to sleep, lay listening to it all
quiet, but asking many questions, his excited
fancy formed similitudes to the sounds. One time
it poor little children cruelty turned out, aud
waiing; then ensomething trng, with its last hoarse
cry; then wolves and bears, from far off other lands.
But all the while Francie knew he was snug and
safe himself; no fears disturbed him whatever the
noise may have been. Throughout the whole OF
it he carried his one steadfast hope, and in the
morning telling of it all, with all his marvellous
thoughts, he flushed his relation with the never
| dffc he land
wind, no waking nights when the summer comes'
The summer came with all its glad birds and
flowers, its baImy air; and who can paint the ex
quiste delight of the suffering child that had waited
for it long!--Living almost continually in the
fresh air, he seemed to expect fresh health ane
strength from each revving breath he drew, ant
every day would deem himself capable Of some
greater effort, if to prove that his expectation
had not been in vain.
One lovely day he and bis little play y-fellcwf
were N group amusing themselves in apart OF q
garden, when some friend passed through. Fran
, Gle, longing to show how much he could de- en-
treated hard to be taken with them "along tht
walk Just to the holly bower" HIS request wa:
granted; and On he did walk, quick at frst thel
slowly slower; but still! upheld by his strong faitf
rest in any Of the offered arms, though the ftfu
color went and came, and the spasms grew more
: and more frequent No, with heavy sigh h
? admitted, Ts very long walk noD; Francie mus
t not be tired; sure the summer has come An
3d. not to admit fatigue in the face Of the season
D bright proofs around him. he succeeded in accom-
e pishing his little task at last.
II Thus the summer passed, and again came 'h'
Al changing autumn, acting upon poor little ffa"e,
to degrees he had never reckoned on and VIII
it's chill, damp airs nearly throwing him buck again
With greater effort than before. he had agar
triad to walk the holly bower, the scene OF III
% ss,f accusing mi,demeanor as the cause OF all hi
s. ,r,.,;ncs He sat down to rest; above his hen
II :. the outumnal breeze swept through them; fh
l. ,o,sbsd leaves aud berries red did rustlng play
Lad foU,p