The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-12
For the National Era.
H OIL | wv 0 0 D .
BY ALICE CAREY.
CHAP. VI-Concluded.

BY ALICE CAREY.
CHAP. VI-Concluded
One by one the neighbors came in, and eacl
had some good word to say of the dead. Sh
was so gentle, 80 kind, nobody could say an,
harm of her, whispered one to another; and
wiping their eyes, they concluded with
81 wish she could have lived but it May b,
that she was too good for this world"
| remember, especially, Mr.. Richards, ani
my father, and Timothy, for they were al
there - the first with his worldly look ant
manner scarcely at all subdued; perfectly re
spectful, but evincing no painful emotion. HI
had sobered his smile, and curbed his usua
yolubility to suit the occasion but his bow wat
no less elegant, and his polite attentions to The
bashful school-gi and fearful old ladies' in
no wise abated. The occasion was consonant
with my fathers hsbitual feeling, and the
tears gathered often to his eyes as he SAL
apart, his face turned partly to the wall hi
was thinking more of Charley than of the dead
perhaps Timothy came limpipg slowly, and
latest of all, his face wearing its Usual cheerful
glow, and with bunch of white flowers in
one hand. He sat near the door, in the sun
and kept his eyes on the cattle in the fields, or
the passers-by, or on whatever else was no,
connected with the funeral.
Martha was active-indeed, her talents were
specially adapted to like occasions. In the
first place. she must reseat the children, 30 that
their faces would be toward the coffin, and te
each one separately she must whisper that be
or she would some time be in just such an ugly
box as that, there was no knowing how soon
likely enough they walked over the place where
their grave would be, every time they came tc
school; instead of playing and tossing balls
and hoops, they ought to sit down and think
OF eternity, and of the time when they would
be buried up in the ground. This portion Of
her work finished she held a whispered con
sultatiOn with the master, as to the improperly
of 30 informal burial as was proposed; for nc
sermon was to be preached, there being nc
clergyman except Mr. Goodman to oficiate
and the schoolmaster and Timothy having de-
cidod against his services. This done, she
must consult with all the women, as to where
and how the school should take leave of The
corpse. Indeed, scarcely remember all the
things she said and did; but that she was per.
petually moving from place to place, making
little alterations in this thing and that, know
Partly, perhaps, to honor the dead, and part
ly in answer to the demands of vanity, the lee
lures on oosmography were piled up in view Of
the audience; for Christopher had his little
amDltlOn, as well as Otner men.
A chapter was read from the Bible, and a
prayer offered by good old man, who had
probably never prayed till then, except in the
was removed and the white face of our school
mate smiled its still farewell upon us.
Timothy laid his Offering of flowers on the
pillow, and the veil was replaced, and the lid
screwed fast, and in solemn and Glow psoces
sion we walked behind the bier
The grave was made q mile away, on O hill
side sloping toward wide, muddy creeke there
were thistles and briers in plenty about t, and
punches of green herbs among the briere, and
lean cattle reaching their heads through broken
palings for the tall grass; but there yas nc
rose bush and no stone Of memorial Eot she
was well asleep, and what mattered it
Poets may talk of the pleasures of mmory
but, for myself the past weighs on me like q
nightmare from which to be relieved I seize
hold of almost anything. Perhaps WITH the
good and the pious it is otherwise, ane theil
achievements in virtue and knowledge give
courage and strength for new efforts; bf1t with
me the landmarks of life are great sorro VS. and
great disappointments
While Lucretia lived, and while the doom
which | saw inevitable hung over me like q
cloud, my immediate hopes and fears were in
part suspended; but now that she wac dead
and there was nothing more that coul1 do
now that she was at rest, the trouble ard anx
iety which had been directed to her, csrse bach
to my own heart
A month was not gone after her dAsth, til
her cabin was rented, and merry With Il troop
of healthful, boisterous children new scholar
took her place at school, and, by way Of ingra
tiating himself, Christopher gave the lecture or
cosmography which had been LucretA'sNtht
one written in red ink-to the new ptail.
When the winter winds came, ard after
wards the dismal SHOWS, few of her summer
schoolmates thought how lonesome thay made
her grave.
| said that my anxiety turned back upon
myself Months and months had gone by, and
I still felt my footing unstable, and my hold
upon hope insecure. When ventured, once
to hint that our engagement was regarded by
the people about as as preposterous, Mr. Rich
ards chilled and confused me by replying tina,
perhaps he had better have handbills posted al
the crossroads and the tavern, if supposed
our little affairs to be matters of public inter
est. Of course, did not suppose SO, and felt
ashamed of my suggestion. was still unsatis-
fed as to the caution observed in reference to
visiters. Ladies came and went, without ex-
citing the slightest curiosity 80, in fact, did all
the neighboring people about US; but if a
stranger was seen approaching, Mr.. Richards
never failed to direct me to say he was not at
home. He was also particular in his inquiries
as to the errsnds of such persons. Sometimes
he kept his chamber door locked for two or
three days at time, and gave out that he was
sick, when felt we'll assured that it was SIM
ply q mental disorder that affected him. Two
or three times in the course of such days
would be summoned to his presence, and ques-
toned as to what had CHANGED; and when
said, nothing of Importance, he would grow
easy end cheerful, or endeayor to be SO, and by
various arts to cover his apprehension, what.
ever it were. On our FIRST acquaintance
thought him very proud man but my opin,
ion in regard to him was modified afterwards
partly BY the general impression, and partly
perhaps, by his notice Of me. But the impress
left on our minds by fresh contact vii char
actor, is likely, after all, to be correct; and
after having ampIer opportunities Of observa
! ton and impression, found that ! had not q
| first over-eetimstsd his pride-indeed, has