Daily national era., 1854-01-12
For tho National Era
BROTHERS. RECOLLECTION or AN ONLY
SISTER
BY MARY IRVING.
CHAP. III.

BY MARY IRVING.
CHAP. II
Sweet mission of childhood what dark cor
ner of earth has not blessed its visiting Into
what hidden recess Of the human heart has it
not penetrated, to arouse to convince, or to
heal 1t carries everywhere the same lesson
the one it so lately learned from the angels
He who careth for us, little helpless ones,
shall He not also care for hee?p
The door opened, suddenly, and nurse.
maid appeared holding child's frock Of black
Grape in her 0utstretched hand
It's here you are, then, Miss Lulie Oh,
ak yer pardon, sir dropping courtesy at
the unexpected sight of stranger. Savin'
yer presence, sir it's high time little Miss was
dressed for the buryin'. Come here wild YER
self Missy, and put on your new gown
The child stared at her in bewilderment,
then lifted the hem Of her blue frock, and in.
spected it carefully.
~ don't want any new gown this one is
clean!" she answered, laying her cheek to
mine again, with q soft sigh
Was ever the like heard Not to put on
mournin' for your poor papa, that's dead and
gone, Heaven rest his soul Oh, but you're a
bad child to your father y
1t isn't pretty gown, Nancy and papa
30! Take it away ~
Put on the dress, little Lulie,o said /, lift
ing her forward, and looking firmly into her
blue eyes. " Put it on, for the sake of your
dear father, who has gone to Heaven
She elid from my knee, without resisting
but as Nancy took her hand, she hesitated, and
looked into my face, with eyes dilating in the
light of new idea.
Papa has gone to Heaven, ~ she repeated
Brother Ralph Heaven isn't black, it is blue ~
and she lifted her tiny finger toward the sky,
bathed in the deepest azure of summer after
noon.
$50, darling" said and she was led
away.
have often thought Of the child's philoso.
ply, in calmer hours. When have seen the
last earnings and energies Of the widow and
fatherless taxed TO furnish the symbols Of
grief in q fashionable form; when have seen
counters piled to supply the wealthy with the
"pomp Of shrOuded voc, | have turned in
disgust from the graceful folds Of Grape and
bombazine, and repeated, with Lulie, .sHeayen
Is not black = Why do we belle its bright real
ityav
Still, the custom Of civilized world has its
charm, even to the fearful eyes Of the true
mourner II is soothing to find that one thing
more can be done in behalf Of the beloved
friend for whom all other labors have ceased.
Whether the fashion Of this world . will ever
sccept of fitting substitute for the parade OF
mourning which has 80 long shadowed society,
is extremely doubtful.
felt the mockery Of this outward show.
when the badges Of grief were brought to me,
yet passively submitted NV little sister was
brought in by the pastor and his wife, her fair
hair and face thrown into bright relief by con-
trast with the gloomy dress.
lis 1t necessary to take this child to the
churchya ~ asked, as the clergyman, in
the course Of our brief conversation made q re.
mark to that effect
think the impression might be salutary
upon one q her age" he answered No
thinking being is too young TO learn much OF
the mystery Of Death Ealatie, should Won
like TO follow your dear father to his grave ~
Yes, sir, if mamma and brother Ralph are
going" she answered, with puzzled look
But when we stood by the portal Of g the
house appointed for all living" and lifted her
in my arms while the coffin, with it's black,
sweeping drapery, was lowered into It's depths,
she gave piercing scream, and clung to my
neck convulsively "Oh papa---papa take
him away from the edrfh.worm house ~
forced my way through the crowd Of star
ing villagers, and hurried with the trembling
creature into little grove Just behind the
chnrchyard, close by the bank of the stream
bathed hcr face and head famed and ca
ressed her, until she ceased to shudder, and Law
painting, with closed eyelids, in my lap. Az /
watched the blue veins, whose clearness and
quick throbbing told Of her fragile, nervous or
ganization, and reflected ON the hereditary
predisposition TO insanity that might have
tlng0d her infant blood, resolved to shield her.
at all hazards, from the shock of excitement
and terror
With q start, she opened her eyes. and her
lips quivered with the word" Papa!v
Your papa--onr papa IL in Heaven. told
you, little sister said l. az gently AZ possible
Did they take him out cf that dreadful
place ~ she whispered, shuddering again, while
she shaded her eyes 9th both hands, and
gnzed keenIy into the clouds above 1Mamma
said ne would be great angel, with white
wings bnt on, Il scared me 30 when they put
him IN there! II was like story mamma
told me IN the night when she lighted the
candle, and woke mo uplr
How much the child has 10 learn and I'M.
learn, sighed, collecting my thoughts TO rive
her, II possible some truthful idea OF the sub
jeck that should conquer her terror The river
ippled song Of contentment at my feet, calm
ing my over wrought spirit into something like
its wonted trust ia Providenoe AT q little dis
tance, group Of lambs were quietly feeding.
LulioD ! began, " your papa did not speak
% you, when you carried those flowers to him,
little while sinoe7n
No. she srtlessiy answered hs had zone
y slssp, and mamma told mo not 70 disturb