Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-09-10
Al the close of a long snltry day

| At the Close 0t long stltry day
in August, wearicd by the days toll
she seated herself by the open win
dow. and resting her head upon her
hand, seemed to slnmber. The cool
summer breeze came softly in, kissing
the pale cheek, and gently lifting the
soft dark hair from her wan brow,
Tho drums turning in their ccaseless
motions, and the clash Of iron wheels,
sounding like the far-of' murmur of
the sea, rose up on every side-yet
she sill slumbered on. Kind-hearted
maidens glided around her heavy
looms. guiding or checking their rap
id molion-the form of him, from
whose quick eye nothing escaped.
passed through her narrow alley
but she needed them not. Requesting,
struck by her strange position, and
thinking she still slumbered, he ap-
preached her; but the eye SO quick to
perceive his coming, and the hand so
ready to obey his bidding. moved not
Bending his head, he spoke to her
but she answered not. He laid his
hand gently on the bowed head, but
it only drooped still lower. SnrPri-
sed, he unclasped the slender fingers
from the cold brow--buthe might not
arouse her. She slept quietly aud
swce,ly "that sleep that knows no
waking"
Amid the busy sounds Of labor, the
wild clamor of that noisy and dus.y
room, her spirit had broken its earth.
ly feItors and scared up through the
dark wall and rolling drum, out into
Gods pure air and bright sunshine
up! up! oh. child of earth up far
tller still through the dark ether blue
tho regions of Infinite space, to the
throne Of The Eternal.
Well and nobly had she performed
her vow.
Grave and learned doctors met in
solemn conclave around her lifelcss
form, giving it as their deliberate opin-
ion that she died of disease Of the
heart, of many years standing.
Sleek, portly citizens gave forth
their solemn verdict, that she "died
by tie riatation Of God" Strange
words! vain mockery! This was all
they knew of the young, loving heart
thai had been slowly breaking in their
midst five weary years 49,, q. .sl
5=sls was s.nets still; The heavy Sclodsrlay'
thick upon her gentle breast, that her
brother knew that he was sisterless
as we'll as fa,hcrless. And, though
he sorrowed for her in bitterness Of
heart, it was not until he had arrived
at the age of manhood that he fully
realized the loss lie sustained; that
he fully appreciated the depth of that
.isterly devotion that led her to sacri.
flee for him not only the spring.time
of her youth and the chosen Of her
affections, but her very existence.
He became minister of the church
of God, and was Instrumental in win
mug many souls to Christ. His was
the resistless power of learniug-the
wonderous gift of elnquence. Many
lips praised, many hearts blessed him.
But who thought of her whose tolls
and privations laid the foundation of
his usefulness f,AVho remembered
the lowly maidenSwho watered with
her tears the seed that brought forth
so glorious harvestl
But what needcst thou of the praise
of man, oh, glorious seraph stand
ing among tho white robed martyrs
that surround the throne of the " Cru
cited 7" What carcst thou for the
voice Of earthly adulalionl He who
sees moi as man secs, who rewards
not as man rewards, whose strong arm
thee in thy weary pilgrim
age below, has given thee tha. peace
that passeth all knowledge" that
+" crown that fade,h not away"