Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-05
in an exceedingly disturbed state. Accept the
eincers sympathy and prayers Of your friend

My father dying My mother dared not
fancy ichat calamity had fallen upon her head
But they needed me that was enough! ]
hacked my portmanteau, and hurried East
ward with the speed of steam wheels
Once more on the New England hills, those
hills Of which had dreamed half the nights
since had left them but their blue outlines
only fell like shadows upon my heart. had
reached the summit Of the last one within my
journey. Below me lay the village, garlanded
with green, and girt with q silvery riband--a
RIVER, not less beautiful that it is too small for
the notice of mapimakers.
There stood the low, stone-colored cottage
my earnings had helped to buy for the dear
ones within it, there cleaned the red corner Of
the store where my dispirited father had drag
ged out the last few years making small gains.
leaned back in the corner OF the coach, and
strove to still my hearts beating.
The cottage was little way out of the vii
lage. was set down at its white gate. A
woman passing by, with q blue 'kerchief on
her head, and bunch Of celery on her arm,
leaned over the gate, and watched me silently,
but curiously Ms walked to the house.
little creature in sky-blue frock, with a
tangled head glorifed in the sunshine glided
across the gallery just before stepped upon it.
Her hands were full of blue forget-me- nots
and white rosebuds. She turned her head
quickly at my STEP but hurried on. All was
silent. My sick heart stood still
The opening Of side door was q relief to
me but it was not my mother who appeared.
A strange, but sweet voiced lady, whom after
wards knew az the wife Of the pastor who had
written me, advanced and in . low tone, gave
me quiet welcome-diyining my connection
with the household by my anxious face.
My father ~ dared not ask question.
She paused solemnly, .sIt is we'll with
him - was her emphatic reply.
turned from her abruptly, and walked to
. supporting pillar. Struggling for outward
eomposure, | attempted to inquire, "When
did-when wasp--l could not speak the cruel
words.
eleven o'clock. His funeral was appointed ut
four o'clock this afternoon, as we found it inn
possible to wait any longer for your arrival, on
account f''
She hesitated, and comprehended the sick
ening reality--the ful6lment of the curse that
flesh is heir to, whenever the chrysalis spirit
hath taken wings and scared.
g So little time ~ faltered, for it was al
ready past three, and turned toward the room
which instinctively felt to be the chamber
Of DEATH
A vacant faced watcher arose from her scat
beside white sheeted bed, and, at sign from
her who had followed me to the door, glided
ON tiptoe from tho ROOM and lett me alone
with the dead.
NV father my father Was it thus
looked ON thy face again? That whitened
head, that Care had bleached more than Time
it was scarcely frosted when ! left Those
skeleton-likc hands, crossed so pite0usly over
the sunken chest! But the face ah it was
not like my fathers Death had trinmphed
over life in its lineaments; and yelled it, with
trembling hand.
Over the pulseless heart lay the flowers had
seen in the child's hands Had she been there
to face this fearful mysterya
How long had sat, with bowed head, |
know not, when a hand was laid lightly on
my shoulder, and the minister's wife spoke my
name in kind but firm accents.
81 would not intrude upon you, Mr.. Lincoln,
but tho people will soon assemble, and the
bearers are waiting to place the body in the
cofinn
| started up with shudder, gave one quick
look, and followed her. My mother ~ | asked,
as passed into the hall.
aWill you see her before the funeral SER
vicesl I fear it viii agitate you too mucn, if
you know, however, it is probable, the sad
state Of her mindo
81 must see her, at all events" replied !;
and with an indefnable foreboding at my
heart | turned toward her room.
The window was thrown open toward the
garden; and she sat by il in cushioned chair,
rocking listlessly and rolling her eyes with
vacant air, that fell upon my heart like mill
stone. But sprung forward to arouse her.
aMother! Mother!n almost gasped She
turned her eyes without moving her head or
Stacking the pace Of her rocking-chair.
"Oh thought it was Lulie, little LulieD
she murmured, as though dreaming.
Have the years changed me so much, that
my mother does not know me! thought |.
Dropping en- one knee beside her chair,
caught her hand in both mine, and looked
into her face as | had done in childhood and
boyhoood.
Smother, yon have not forgotten your
Ralphln
The unmeaning glance of those eyes win
live in my heart while IL beats! No word OF
welcome-of sympathy-not one look Of the
mother there!
"Ralph--oh, yes; is school out ~ she said
drawing away her hand and passing il over
her eyebrows with distressed look. It is
late, and have not mended your fathers over
coat yet told Lulie 10 bring me q spool Of
black silk, but shc Is 50 long coming--and my
head aches 40 Go and play with Eben,
Ralph--thcre's good boy"
could bear no more! My brain seemed
on FIRE, and my heart frozen TO ice! Tsprang
from my kneeling posture, and went from the
room turned the latch Of another apart
ment--it was empty and Ainging back tho
door, shut myself up with my great anguish.
fell on my knees, but instantly started up,
shivoring. My soul was shaken from it's trust
in the goodness Of God ] could not pray |
could not weep. ! could only sit crushing my
heart with my folded arms, while shuddcr
after shudder shook almost even my reason
from It's throne.
"What have lived fori what have toiled
forf what Is there 10 live for?n A hollow,
hooking laugh, that startled myself burst
from my cold lips as these bitter queries came
up. The door creaked on it, hinges turned
q frenzied glance, TO forbid the entrance of any