Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-06-01
VOL. VIII.

He passed to the further side of the turret
against which his mother rested. There he
saw door and little pointed window, of
diamond-shaped panes, with white and crimson
drapery, through which the light of fire
| flashed and flickered, and he heard female
voice, soft and low, singing cradle hymn.
He went back to the gateway, where his
mother still lay with folded hands. Then he
gazed again through the gate, and noticed that
long low structure ran inward from the far
ther turret. Presently it was lighted ,and he saw
that the building was of glass, and that there
were trees in it-not like those on the street
all bare and brown, but with fresh green
leaves, some Of which dropped long and broad
like those plumes he had seen on banners
And he could see flowers, also scarlet and
white, and pink roses such he had sometimes
had in summer time. He clapped his hands
with pleasure-cold and hungry as he was
for he was child that loved all beautiful
things. There was man moving about from
among the foliage-a handsome, strong look
ing man-who, in few minutes, ascended a
short flight of steps with lamp in his hand,
and all was dark again.
The little girl raised herself and wept softly
If this is home, why don't mother give US
some breadl'
Don't wake mother-the other people will
tell US if it's home,' said the boy, and he led
round to the door he had discovered, and
raped upon it with his little benumbed thumbs
1t was opened by gentle looking, fair-faced
woman, who looked out into the night, and
then moved to close it again.
Please, ma am, is this home = asked the
little boy.
Children why, bless me, little ones -
who are you''
This is ELY, and am Hughr
Why, poor little things you must be
lost-what made you suppose this was your
home
Mother brought US here and went to sleep,
ma am
She stepped in and re-appeared with the
bearer of the light among the flowers, the su-
perlntendent Of the place. 'Where is your
mother, my little man = asked he kindly.
In the room that's got no doors to it, an
swered the child.
Come and show me, and taking up a glass
lantern, he followed the child, while his wife
led the little girl the pavement, now slippe-
ry with the new fallen snow.
Please don't wake mother-we always let
her sleep after her fever said little Hugh
The superintendent held his lantern above the
rigid figure, and passed his hand on the placid
but ashy face. He started back with sup
pressed ejaculation, and his wife shuddered
and grew pale. The weary was, indeed, at
rest.
Take the little ones in, said the husband
gently, and in silence they were led into the
house.
'Oh, Hugh, isn't this good = exclaimed the
little girl, stretching the stlffened fingers of
her tiny hand before the glowing CRATE, and
gazing around the pretty room, with its bright
carpet, its little book shelves and work stand,
and its sof-shaded lamp shining upon rosy
baby asleep in the cradle.
Ample slices of white bread, covered with
sugar, were supplied TO the hungry little
strangers and as the boy received his, he
looked up exultingly from the low stool on
which he was seated before the fire, and ex-
claimed That's what mother said-the Lord
would provide
When this hunger was appeased, their kind
entertainer gently questioned them about their
mother, and, with fearful eyes, sheheard their
artless story of toll and sickness, and pitiless
oppression, and utter destitution. She had
spread little pallet for them, and now ar
ranged their clean but well-worn garments for
the night.
Wont mother comet they asked.
Mother will lie in another room, darlings'
was the answer.
Then who'll hear us say our prayers!'
The Lord has provided me-
They knelt at her knee. and the boy repea-
ted, with folded hands and upturned face,
sweetly worded prayer, that must have been
framed for his childish lips, in the depths of
suffering loving, trusting mothers heart.
Early the following morning, a well-known
lady, whose daily wont it was to make pill
grimage thither of maternal love and remem-
brance, summoned the superintendent for ad-
mittance into the cemetery. He described
briefly and feelingly to her the scenes Of the
preceding night. The body had been carried
for an inquest into the turret with which the
green house was connected, and there the lady
followed him. The place was set round with
costly vases and statues ornaments of the
city of the dead removed for protection from
the winter weather, and on a bier in the midst,
recently covered with white drapery, and with
scarcely less white countenance. serene and
holy IN cts repose, lay the corpse, looking like
the recumbent effigy ofa beautiful saint.
The children were already there, attended
by their kind protectress, preparing herself
for sorrowful task-that of imparting to
them the first ideas of death. A small Bible,
which had been found in the bosom, lay at the
head of the corpse. The lady took it up. On
blank leaf was neatly written, To Ellen, as
memorial of our marriage-eve. HUGH' In
side was delicately wrought book-mark,
with funeral device, and the inscription