The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-23
From the Mew York Peoples Organ.
ut 10 hot Hard TO Die"
ny MRs II 4 DEHIaoY

had bert above her so often, "tel me If there
is any certainty that shall ever recoveri
think not; so you see am prepared for i'll.
tidings, and am continually torinentng my
self with the question. Will you not be can.
did with me, dear doctor Ellis"
While there is life"-commenced the doc
tor, but the frail young creature interrupted
him, saying, with = smile, "No, no, Doctor
that won't do; / mus. have you, professional
opinion; and, when say that my souls hap
piness, for the remnant of this life, will be af-
tected by your decision, surely you will grant
me my request"
But, cuuld you bear"
Anything, doctor, but this suspense. |
am willing to be told the exact state Of my
case for, you see, some days | feel SO really
well, that my hope is unduy excited and
again, when the sleepless hours and terrible
pains come, death takes an awful shape. and
frightens me out Of repose. But If | was Ger.
tain"-she spoke with solemnity-"I would
teach my mind to dwell upon it in such way,
that my foolish fears would leave me-"
my sweet girl" said the doctor, taking
her wasted hand, II will, then, grant this re-
quest. You cannot, certainly, recover, unless
some extraordinary providence occurs. Your
life may be protracted some months yet-but
not over year, at the furthest; 30 it seems to
me-"
The pale cheek grew shade psler, but the
smile faded not on the gentle lips
Thank you doctor," was her reply; thank
you for your trust and confidence in me ; you
shall see | will not abuse them"
The beautiful consumptve sat alone, in her
large easy. chair. some moments after the doc.
tor had gone. She gazed about her on luxuries
which wealth unbounded had proeured for her
pleasure, and the large, untroubled eyes grew
dim.
"Then | must die" size said to herself; !;
and, oh this fear, not of All hereafter, but Of
that dread passing through the valley, which
shadows my hours Of suffering! Even my re.
ligion d"es not dissi pate that shrinking. shud.
dering fear; the impressions Of my chiIdho"d
will not away, but return with new furce."-
AS she thus half whispered to herself, a lovely
rlatron entered, and hurrying to her side. kissed
the fair brow.
"You are better to-day, my child" she said
in tunes of forced calmness; nay, don't shake
your head 90 mournfully; indeed, if you knew
how much improved you appear" and she
drew low seat towards the young girl, and
sat gazing in her eyes with the holy love of ma
ternity.
"Mother," said the consumptve, as she took
the matron's hand in her own, there i. soms.
thing want you TO do for me"
Wh,t :, Z, dorlipo vou know 7 wouId
lay down my life for you"
For an instant :he pale lips quivered; but,
commanding herself the young girl said gently,
Il want you to talk to inc Of death-of my
own death, which is certain SOON"
"My Amy" was all the mother could ar
ticulate; her voice seemed frozen by horror.
"Yes, mother; for listen moment; it will
make your poor sick child more willing to leave
earth, and find heaven. If you will talk daily
and cheerfully Of my passing away; it you
will surround the thought with cheerfunes,,
and make the last struggle seem pleasant to
me, this strange horror with which l regard it
would fade away, and my mind be drawn more
wholly to the better land 1t may be.a sacri.
fee to you, my mother but shall learn to
Look forward to my death.bed with calmnes,,
which strive in vain to do now. Will you
try to do this, motherl Will you talk of it
often? Will you repeat the sweet words that
dying saints have spoken! Will you speak Of
the sInies that reposed upon their faces, until ]
can think chaertulIy, and talk without reserve
Of that change, even as | would lie down, and
put my garments BY, ready to attire myself
when should wake in the fair morning -
Will you tell those who call to see me never
to shrink from speaking to me Of death. Will
you do this, my mother =
The matron promised, and retired to her
chamber, to shed the tears Of anguish born OF
this request. She, too, had long felt that her
child must die, but had put afar of the evil
day." And, in the strength Of God, she per-
formed her duty.
Seven months had passed, and still gentle
Amy lived. The fatal crimson burnt its death
fire into her cheek, and her eyes cleaned with
the ftful flash of disease but about her sweet
lips lowered constant smile; she had con-
qnered her fear Of the king Of terrors, and
dwelt upon her departure with almost exulting
joy. IL knew that through Christ, was pre-
pared to go," she said tG her pastor; II knew
there were glories in the bright world above,
that the imagination cannot conceive Of; yet
have shuddered from my infancy at death. The
thought Of dissolution, with its icy chills and
quivering breath, made ME cold to my heart,
and | strive to forget it, but cannot. Yet, since
you since my mother, since all who know me,
have made it a familiar and household word--
clothed it in beautiful thoughts, and surrounded
il with heavenly images--it has become less
and less terrible; till now can hold my hand
~ him who unlocks the spirit, and say, death,
where is thy stingf"
As she spoke thus, ray from the setting
,un imaged crown Of glory uponher fair brow.
Her mother and friend as that moment entered. !