Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-03-09

death Yet still the mo,he, 49,. 80. - =
him that could net hear her weer;nc -
At length the mornins fairly broke. II
vas bread daylight, and the husband resc
from hls coach With red eyes aud heated
brain. HIS step was unsteady as hs enter.
ed the apartment, where still sat the u.e,her
aud her dead child
TIA lateF said the husband. advancing
| shall not be in time for work. Wby aid
you let me sleep 50 lsuga'
Poor little Willie was all she could sob
out III reply.
What's tie matter 2 be asked and then
psusiag momcat, be seemed to fece,lec.
tue events Of the psss aight think you
said the child was isl
Hes dpaai
o. Gca b e1elaiaess Asesnnot be
He looked q fn irsb thsscradle. and
there lay the child calm and placid a. it in
sleep YET breathing not. aud with The hue Of
death upon its cheek He gmaned and
sunk into chair by the cradle-side, unable
to speak
But suddenly there passed through bis
mind visions Of the past aud be thought Of
the sweet prattle oil dis child on the evenings
Of his return from labor. -ef tae delight lie
bad felt ID wa,chiugL bis growing intelligence
lot bis arch wiles AID plaYfllness- and
then Of the patient love and care Of bis wife,
now bowed down insiIent grief beside him
o, Kate, this is d sad sight Our poor,
dear enid 7 and the strong man bid bis face
il his hands, aud sobbei auaiblY.
She took bis hand. ~ booked up Il rough
bis tears, and said. have been very cruel
and selfshtowards yeu DO you not hate meg
No, no z sale the weeping wife 70 10,
William, but here BY the body OF lh S, our
first born lot me speak to you of toe past
Not nov, rot uow Z
William, | must / have thought Of 1t
during the tight while waited for you
aud stched by your child and mine; and
now feel it to be right to speak 10 you
though it is ii sorrow
Be mercifal to me I
| have 40 word If repr6aeh for you Will
liam but | would speak to you as your
wife whoa you promised 10 love ard cherish,
till death
.Tdfl L did IT,
You took Inc, a girl. from my fathers
house and home. where | was happy You
loved me
True aud love yeu now {
believGyou. William Well. l was
young with little knowledge Of the world,
but | tried to make your hone as happy as
mine had been befste | labs,sd 10 make
it cheerful and bright for you l sought to
attract You to my side, and to keep yen at
home With me and the dear child there at
ter your leurs Of daily labor were over
You did, Kste. No wife could have
been more kind and good
| PRAYED for yod; | thought but Of you,
i lived but for you
Oh. spare me. know, ! feel, low cruel
have been
naVAS aaIE t bAssHH ik III 5v4fae
yen have speut your eyenings away from u,
aud csme in latte
/ have been harsh and eruel-I know il
now
Dear William. enc ether word and |
have done Let me have some of your even
ing leisure spen. beside me | viii try e
make you happy Sit beside me while |
work aad if do not know 50 mueh as the
companions whom you meet with elsewhere,
teach me and will learn.
t0h Kate, slid William sebbingl Inev-
or felt your love SO dear TO me aS now
Here. by the bedy Of this dear q lid | sol-
emnly promise that il shall be~as you say. !
viii fsrsaks those h9usts IL dissipation il
which nv souf had well nigh been lest and
seek peace. and paydon, and Happiness, !
gain w your Side
Aud as time passed on. the memory 81 the.
deaf infant was guarded as a precious treas
ure fer its death had heen sauctifed 70
both. The promise solemaly made Icy its
cradie-eoiia, la BEEN kept, and peace ana
blessings iescendedEin rich abundance upon
the happy cottage home