M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-05-04
From the Waserley Magazine.l
SCENES IN LIFE'S DRAMA.
BY JUEIATA.

BY JUSIATA.
It is near the close of a beautiful day
in Spring; few heecy clouds float la
zily through the wide expanSe of blue;
the sun shines bright and warm, and
the light breeze gently waves the green
foliage Of the trees. Two little girls
are returning home from school. The
eldest, a sweet, modest looking child,
walks soberly along, but the little one,
with her hand clasped in that of her
sister, dances by her side, and the pleas.
ant words and merry laugh come from
a heart as free and joyous as the warb-
ling birds.
tits evening now. The last rays OF
the setting sun have disappeared behind
the western hill-tops-the last tinge of
purple and gold is fast fading away,
and here and there more ambitious
star has already peeped forth; tits the
close Of another day, whose golden mo-
ments have forever flown. Again |
see that little child, whose happy smile
and loving kiss so won my heart-but
the merry laugh has ceased-she lays
moaning in her little bed ,delirious with
fever. All night the weeping friends
watch by her tiny couch. The morn
ing, the quiet Sabbath morning dawns
all fair and bright, as if sorrow and
sickness had never entered the world.
1t dawnS upon a mournfuI group gath
cred within a room plainly but neatly
furnished. The physician holds the
fair white hand of the little sufferer
within his own; now lie gently lays it
by her side, and sadly murmuring, she
is dead-he'turns away. ..r
Again | gaze upon that liGeless form
1T is robed for burial--the soft brown
hair is now parted upon her pure angel
ic brow, and those bright, sparkling blue
eyes are now closed forever. Hark!--
The slow toll OF the bell peals out a
requiem for the dead. Seven brief
summers had that tender bud been nour
iShed, then like the little liowret which
in the morning fouriShes, and ere it is
noon fades away, had she passed from
earth.
Again the bell is tolling, and see a
band Of mourners vending their way to
the village church yard. A neat white
paling encloseS the sacred spot, a few
trees planted by loving hands adorns the
place, where are laid the remains oi
parents, brothers, sisters and friends,
and here the widowed mother leaves
her youngest born, the little sunbeam
that nestled so lovingly in the hearts OIL
those who loved her, and filled then
home with JOY and happiness. O!how
sadly mother and sister miss their dar'
ling Carrie; bnt they know that she is
now an angel in Heaven, and soon they
shall meet her there.
The curtain drops--and wiping tears
from my eyes, gazed upon another
picture.
Within a crowded ballroom, where
merry feet are dancing to lively strains
of music, is fair and beautiful girl,
leaning upon the arm Of a young man
of noble appearance; they leave the
brilliantly lighted apartment, and seek
the conservatory. See! He places the
betrothal ring upon her finger; one mo.
ment they linger, then return to the dane.
ers. ..
The gay winter with its balls ard
parties has passed away. Spring, too,
with its budding trees and early flow
ers, has gone, and now, the crowded
city is deserted of many Of its wealthy
inhabitants, who seek the country to
while away the long summer days, far
from the heat and noise of the dusty
town. In sea-gir; village, see again
the fair maiden; but the face is paler,
and her step more languid than when
we first beheld her among the merry
group gathered within the halls ofpleas-
ure. Consumption has set its seal up
on her brow slowly she is passing
away, yet knows it not. s..l-
1t is winter. Again see her with
in her city home. The hectic flush
upon her cheek causes her to look more
lovely than ever, as, wrapped in hel
richly embroidered morning gown, she
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