Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-06-29
Gge Storg GelIer,
From the New York Alta.
STORY OF A CHILD.
BY THE AUTHOR OF ''REBELs AND TORIES. :"

It was lovely boy-born in the bleak and
clothed in its garment Of white, and the branch
es of the old forest trees-the hemlOcks, the
cedars and the pines-bowed heavy headed to
the earth, loaded down with cumbrous
weight of frozen rain.
1t was low-roofed cottage in the country
~-homely and homelike. Its windows were
low and diminutive-the panes of glass old
fashioned seven by nine, with frames weather
beaten and brown, over which hung the pent
caves, dripping with iccles. Huge piles Of
wood were thrown up against the end Of an
Outbuilding that stood but a few yards from the
house, at the end of which flock of sheep
were browsing -nipping the tender buds from
the tips of the white-maple branches, or eat
ing the bark from the trunks The old barn
stood near at hand, crippled and decayed, but
well stocked with hay and grain while
ranged in stalls, stood about twenty head of
cattle, the chief places being assigned TO a
noble pair of oxen, brindled, and with star
foreheads. Next to these were Sanctioned
fine yoke Of three year old steers, then came
the cows, matroBly and milk-eyed, with the
heifers and younglings bringing up the line
As you stood in front looking at their meek
faces, what perfume came from their breaths
what delicious odor pervaded the place,
sweeter than new milk, or fresh trodden clo-
yer. In stall opposite stood the horse-the
faithful servant Of the family for years, but
now getting old and weary, and, withal, pos
sessing a seeming consciousness that his la
bOrs were almost at an end Food he took
sparingly, and mashes had to be carefully pre-
pared for him. He had been the family horse
for seventeen years He had drawn them to
meeting every Sabbath for unnumbered sea-
sons he had been with them to many holi-
day festival, and paraded his master on train
ing day, over the mimic field of battle, and
no war-horse ever felt prouder, or pranced
more gaily to the notes of the buge he had
done many good days work upon the farm,
and load after load of produce had he taken to
market, bringing home IN return, sveh nee
essary articles as the farm would not produce.
But his day now was well nigh spent the
sun was setting upon his long term of service,
and as the veteran nibbIed among his food, he
sighed heavily with occasional faint groans.
Let not the reader smile There are AM
mails that seem to have a knowledge Of what
death is-an instructive feeling of his approach
many, many davs before the last breath is
drawn. The horse and the dog will serve for
instances. They seem to feel the approach Of
the grim tyrant-to understand his presence
in the death of companiOns-to be sensible
that such is to be the inevitable fate of them
selves. Thus felt poor old Jupiter in his
stall.
The night was drawing on apace. The
fowls had gone TO their rOost, and the cattle
began to lie down in their stalls they had
been fed for the last time Twilight brooded
over the scene, and lights began to glisten
through the windows of the cottage, and the
shadows upon the walls of the old wainscotted
kitchen, moving TO and fro, indicated the prep
arations that were going on inside for the far
mer's homely meal. Let us peep into the
windows, however rude it may be, and study
the scene that there may be presented. Seat
ed nearly in front of the large, old-fashioned
fireplace, sat the patriarch of the household
"a stalwart, strongly built man, of three
nj Ia;- l. ..
with gray, while his teeth, that glimmered
occasionally in the fre-light, as his lips were
we're ever and anon parted to give expression
to a thought or passion, that fitted like cloud
or sunshine over stern but classic features
were white and regular, almost as in youth
Pots and kettles were suspended from hooks
and trammels that hung upon bars placed high
up the chimney while before the fire were
baking two or three cakes, of which was
made of Indian meal, fianked on each side by
short cakes made Of the whitest and sweet
est of flour. With an iron baker, or shallow
kettle, with live Goals heaped well upon the
cover, were baking and browning a score or
so Of the most delicious potatoes. In the cen
tre Of the floor stood the table, spread with its
white linen cloth, set with dishes and brightly
polished knives, huge platters, and the family
silyer-what there was Of it-and all the re-
quisite paraphernalia of farmers supper Ia
bic. Busily attending to the preparations,
ranged about The room the matron, in home
spun dressed, while two young ladies-her
daughters-were sitting at a side-table, busily
employed with their needle-work The wood
was piled up bravely upon the hearth-dogs
and its bright and cheerful blaze cast grotesque
figures upon the walls and ceilings from OBJ
jects along the room. But we have not yet
finished the picture.
In one corner of the fire place, seated upon
a low stool, was blue-eyed, flaxen-haired
boy, Of about five years Of age. His features
had something soft and winning in their ex-
preston, and regular withal, and chiseled as
finely and as classically as ever form sprang
from the virgin marble at the inspiration Of the
poet His lips were scarce parted, while his
eyes, arched by family penciled brows, were
fixed upon the fire, as though in deep thought
or making pictures in the glowing Goals. His
hands were clasped upon his knees, and his
whole attitude seemed one of intense thought