The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1854-01-12

scholars but her little James. The lady was
sorry she had 80 few scholars but she bent
all her efforts to the instruction of the little
boy. But in few weeks. the prejudices Of
the people began to wear away, and before
the summer closed, this school embraced
every child, whose age would allow it to
attend. 1t was the second summer after
the establishment of this school, and after
little James had become well acquainted
with his Testament and his cateciism, that
his health began to fail. The good young
lady beleld his gradual decay witt, anxiety,
visited him often, and always wept at part
ing with pupil SO dear. She used often to
walk out with him, and to cheer him with
her conversation. One pleasant afternoon
she led him out by the hand, and at his re-
quest, visited the spot where lay his mother
and little brother. Their graves were both
covered with grass, and on the smaller
grave were some beautiful flowers. 1t was
in the cool off serene summers day, as they
sat by the graves in silence. The lady gazcd
at the pale countcnance of tho lovely boy,
upon whose system lingering disease was
praying, while lie looked at her with an eye
that seemed to say, II have not long TO en-
joy your society" Without saying word
he cut n small stick, and measured the ex-
act length of his little brothers grave, and
again seated himself hy the lady. She
appeared sad, while he calmly said: "You
see, my dear Miss s. that this little
grave is shorter than mine will be-" She
pressed his little white hand within her own,
and he continued-"You know not how
much 1 love you-how much am obliged
to>you. Before you taught me thought
nothing of death-nothing about heaven,
or God, or angels. ] was a very wicked
boy till you met me. love you much, very
much, but I would say something else"
'And what would you say" inquired the
lady, trying to compose her feelings. 81
feel that shall not live long. I shall then bc
laid beside my poor mother. She will then
have her two twins, one on each side of her.
But do not cry Miss S-,I am not
afraid to die. You told me, and the Testa-
ment tells me, that Christ says, Suffer little
children to come unto me- and though !
know am very sinful little boy, yet l
think shall be happy, for love this Saw
iour, who can save such wicked boy as I
am. And I1sometimes think shall soon
meet my motaer, and little bFotlerin happi.
ness; know you will come top, won't y.Ssiaii
.Mhsn E sn II = 10 tAA fhes
si,ei,.
] tsska :sal,ey4f issust all a. and
m.y die ,Osas aad tel diem to como and
measure the grave oflittte James .SSad then
I prepare to die" asss-
The young lady wert, and could not an
swer him at that time. But she was cna-
bled to converse with him scvera! times af.
terw"rs". on the grounds of his hope, ana
was satisfied that this lf..le lamb was indeed
of the fold of Jesus. She was sitting at his
bedside, and with hor own trembling hand
closed his lovely eyes as they shut in ever.
lasting slumbcr. lie fell asleep with q
smile-without struggle. The lady was
the only sincere mourner who followed the
remains of the child to the grave, and Willie
she shed many tears on the sods which Gov.
cred his lovely form, she could not but re-
joice in the belief that God had permitted
her to bc the feeble instrument Of preparing
an immortal spirit, .or inansion III tho
skies,