Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-01-27


into consumptive knell land the healtLfu
: glow had become a hectic flush. He
) parents we're alarmed.
: The mother held counsel with aunts ant
sisters and old friends Then the physician
came What could he do! He must leave
some prescription to satisfy the family,
and lie recommended careful attention t
clothing aud diet, and regular hours and
a change Of air.
The summer was coming, and she was
willing to visit Saratoga and as it grew
warmer, she cougLed less, and faucied she
was better
Travelling WAS recommended, and they
visited Niagara-she was able to enjoy i
moonlight walk, while the dew and the
spray fell on her th;nly- clad shoulders and
unbonneted head.
How strange that she was more ill
that she should be borne back to the city
to consult her old physician. But It was
not strange that the physician should try
the last resort He ordered her to warmer
climate for tue winter The disease was
TOO rapid She faded as the first leaves
fell, and when the naples were tinged with
crimson, and the foliage Of the forest was
one sea of gold and purple and scarlet dye
while the choice roses we're iu full bloom,
and many parterre Of gayest flowers were
yet mocking the frost and rejoicing in the
brightness Of the autumnal sunbeams, they
found her place in one Of the quiet glades
of Greenwood. And while they wept over
her, they wondered and almost murmured
at the dispcnsation which removed SO sud
denly, youth and health and beauty.
/ A card-the very aspect tells the state
Of one whose name it bears. A small plain
card the name, Sarah B, delicately
penciled with the street and number You
see it is no mere visiting card. 1t brings
before Us a pale, small, delicate woman,
slight in form, her dark, smooth hair
already with many silver threads, down
cast look, yet an intelligent expression,
while the whole air, though feminine, is
yet decided'and firm. You know she is a
scams.ress.
That pale and silent woman, so patiently
plying her needle from early dawn to eve
ming hour, from day to day, and month to
month, for many weary year, had been
born to a different lot
Few there are who knew her history
who knew how often, when twilight brought
brief respite, and the tired hand supported
for few minutes the aching head, the
present vanished and the past returned
Then came the vision Of the early home,
with its pleasant parterre and cheerful
nursery, and its playground and garden,
and the old swing under the large tree.
There, gathered around, are the friends of
her childhood and Of her early youth
her playmates, her schoolmates.
And as she drops her head between her
hands and seems to idly NOPE, there comes
the vision Of father, kind, affectonate,
indulgent-respected abroad, beloved at
home Of mother, cheerful, tender, devo-
ted; of brothers, ,sisters,a together beneath
the pa.ernal roof. Then she secs the father
gradually changing, sinking into intemper
ance; the mother pale, haggard, ,wretched;
a home desolated, stripped, abandoned, while
the orphaned children are scattered and
east upon the world and even now, she
starts with pang as she secs him who
had in that bitter hour deserted her who
could only bring him the dowry Of the
drunkard's child.
But the lamp is lighted, and she resumes
her labors. She bows, as for long years
she has bowed, to her lot. Never idle
thro' the long summer day and the winter
midnight hour she has toiled-toiled for
her mother, her sisters, her brothers. When
all earthly help had failed, delicate, feeble,
youthful, she reused herself from her iron
despair and sorrow, to support and cheer
her mother, % save her sisters, to watch
over her brothers She gathered again the
family together. A very humble home
a very different one from that in which
they were born-it was still home. And
here her mo.herwatched over her sons going
out, and welcomed their coming in; and
here they offered the morning prayer, and
raised the evening hymn; and here they
welcomed the day Of rest, while they went
to the house Of God in company.
They all wrought. The sons rose to
stations of trust aud profit. The daughters
were educated to more than the needle, and
the pale seamstress is now an honOred'
useful woman-living still to duty and to
God. She has lived to see wrecked family
gathered into comfortable home and then
10 bless the branches established, to see her
mothers age comfortable and g'addened hy
The caresses Of children's children-to feel
that the blessings Of those for whom she
has been enabled to do so much, attend
her footsteps, and will follow her to her