The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-17


hx-the last gift Of Agnes to Julia D., and one
which had worn sometimes as an ornament
| remembered than its story, and that suffer
or once Died strange, mysterious death upon
one Of the same form. "That sufferer was
Agnes's fricnd," said, in nay simplicity, /" and
he will save her"
Again | was ut my own bridal looked
fair aud fragile beneath snowy veil and
wreath Of orange blossoms, as leaned on the
ann of one, fue-lCoking and manly.
| heard little Of the service but knew that
was his own for lie, AMI, without caring for
the future, lolt GLAD end happy.
Some e my scbooimates were near me, and
did not chen feel that had left them-fCr-
cser
Life seemed to no oil ounshine, and over its
future rested no darkcning clouds.
by husbands home and mino was n retired
one far FROM tho busy haunts Of men. and on
shis account was only ito more happy for
he then seemed all my cHn.
We read together; and willie engaged in
his own studio was only a quiet creature,
dwelling in The sunlight Of his presence.
Sometimes the busy tread Of the hOCsekeepsr
broke on my ear, and reminded me Of my
proper ofiee; but work had no charms f5r
me, and body and spilis both kept enc long de-
HgA.ful holyjay.
it last Clarke became a;ck'Y, and the dGi.y
hectic on his check startled ard alarmed me.
bis cyce grew bright, bright o. Agncs's had
been-strange!y TO! Could / connect death
with al tha5 was most dear h mo in life
Could wear away czi9toEco without LIB only
obiect'
All! had made one long, fearful mistake,
and discovered It in agony | had poured tE5
~ rT 80 800
oxbaustng receiver, iui left world Of human
hearts Unlcved. Sdoh idolatry u could not
pardon in a kgaven-GCsiDCd soul.
My light went out, ana for weeks all was
utter dsrkHesS.
But J awoke, and young creature nestled
beside me il was my Lillian. God had given
mo q precious gin, and babe me to keep i
safe ard Pure Tor him. And This, in all my
womGn's Weaknecs, tried to do
Months rolled away before my babe spoke
that first word was father ! had taught
her this before his almost living picture, and
rbe bad LEANED while looking a. it. ~ clap
her tiny hGnda with joy.
When sho wss three years old, | told her
much about God, and the spiyit-woTld which
lies alout uF all. How there we're other souls
breathing near her, besides her own-souls
good and bad, wrestling Tor victory.
that "thOught only ~ tho dead" and that
'Liiian would be crazed !" But this was not 40.
NV child loved ne, bus not ne alone she
loved all One bright sunbeam was her short
life swift and sudden translation her carly
death
She faded so gently, that as the flower closes
at even 10 open at morn, 50 slept Lillian 20
awaken amid the gOrlo5 Of an eternal sun,
and know 10 wearincg5.
My home Nss then beside her grave aud |
courtcd passage TO the mysterious dwelling
place Of those loved.
The cross which Agnes had given me in
earlier and better days, shOne above my heart,
but not yet in it; and as ggzed upon IT. briL
Iancy, thought long and deeply Of it, mean,
ing The words, " If one died for all, then were
ali dead" came to my lnind with new power,
and thought Of It's passport for eli bsiiavH's
'nUIw TJ3v, ou+0voHruE s-osi ana came
and stood over the grave whore my chlld waa.
| was comfortcd and yet rcprcaehcl for loug
and selfish worship Of my own loves, and my
Corge.fulness Of others
A wall. sudden and chiId-Ike, broke on my
ear. turned, and took to my embrace two
motherloss orphans. The girl, with sunny hair
and lovely ringlets, was my second L'han-the
boy was ny little Charlie.
They had lived lowly and decontly at home;
they Lived richly WIN me.
Life changed its face-tharo were no longer
q few for me TO love, but many. did not for
get the past, but learned lessons Of 1t for the
futuro
My children grew up. The boy was high
spirited but yielded 10 gentle influences, Gad
became q noble man. He called me mother; -
and while | leaned on orc supporting arm,
Lillian hung on the other. She was not beau
tiful in feature, but loving and lovely.
stranger saw this, and when my OVID LII
isn had been buried fourteen summers, he we'd
ded my second.
Her children grew up around me, and /
loved to hear the prattleTs say grandma" 10
the old lady whom they dearly loved.
Charles brought me, in due time, another
daughter: and now, while am wasting away,
nv children are strengthening in life.
Seated in nv armchair, tho past comes up
before me-, bat not cold and dark, 80 1t did
abous my first Iilias's grave.
MY own Charles's picture is that Of young
man wbilo cm old and withered.
Sometimes wish that had died with hIn,
and been always young thea ! dream Of a
land where change and decay come not, where
nv Charles Gnd Lis Lillian hare found for years
their happy joyful home, and in knowledge
are older than l. Olce, ! was welded to two
objects Of hope and love; now, an lover OF
Gods creatures everywhere, sud live to pray
for a sin suffering world, with trembling
tongue. Soon that will DO silent in death; yet
will my heart burn, amid those Of ongelf, with
quenchless love.
- Trk