Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-08-22

workstand stood before cheerful fire, ano
the great family Bible, that had descended
through many generations, laid with its
huge covers open, and the heavy clasps fal
len upon the clear linen beneath.
The old man had been reading inathe
holy volume, as was his want, before retir
ing, and the good wife had laid by her knit
ting on the stand beside them, and, with
folded hands, sat gazing into the face OF he'
venerable partner: :.
Thought was very busy with him: he
was reviewing the pages of the past, thai
sometimes luminous, at others covered as
with a thick veil, were. slowly unfolded be-
fore his minds eye; e was no record o.
crime there so tho mans face wore
cheerful but subdued expression. Suddenly
he looked up. The calm clear eye OF his
wife met his own glance, and he started
from his reverie.
Lucia, my love, we are getting very
DID," be said.
"That was what was just thinking of,
my husband" she replied; "while | endea.
vored to call back the feelings with which
first heard you call me wife; but | found
them already in my bosom, and they have
been there ever since that day, increasing
in depth and strength as we draw nearer to
the grave. 1t tore my heart to part with
our lovely and only ones, Caspar; but il
would have broken it had been called to
lay you in the grave, my husband. How
white your locks are!' she continued, fond
ly stroking them back from his lofty yet
mild brow; but, to my mind, they are more
beautiful curling in pale waves upon your
shoulders, than when they fell over ruddy
cheek in ringlets of jet"
Those were happy days." murmured
Caspar, partly to himself.
'And are we not happy now, oh my
husband :"
"Happy while we are together; too hap.
py," he whispered back, as the quick tears
spraug to his eyes; there is only one thing
that mars my present enjoyment, and, l fear,
in that distrust the goodness which has
led us from Joy to JOY"
"What is it, Caspar2"
"The fear that may be taken, and you
may be left; you, alone in your old age,
with none nearer than friends and acqualn-
tances" ::
Lucia was silent for moment. "-Let
us put our trust in God!" she at length ex.
claimed; I" if am left. Caspar, it cannot be
for long"
-.. And then we sha! Be reunited 10 eterni:
III WdiisFefsd GSasiaf 81 sf 70.
es, to love on forever and ever"
",Shall we love each other more supreme.
ly up yonder9" and in the old mans eyes
shone holy light.
"Next't to God, firmly believe; for are
not our souls in perfect unison Z"
eyes," said Caspar, as he gently clasped
the hand of his wife; "perfect, for ours
was true marriage. Word, thought and
deed have grown in similitude, till the soul
of one is at the echo to that Of the other.
Pain is almost sweet when you are near to
minister to me, aud pleasure [ enjoy not to
fulness unless you are sharer. Yes, my
love, we are going to the. grave together,
and we shall soon be Joined to those precious
pledges who took their flight heavenward so
long ago. regret not now, neither, am
sure, can you, that we laid them SO early in
the arms of Death. They were not sinless :
but oh! we deem them very near perlec.
ton"
"I did not see till now, Caspar, that
your eyes are heavier than usual;" exclaim.
ed Lucia, after some moments Of silence,
during which. they had sat, hand in hand ;
!" have you felt i'll to.day!"
"I cannot evade your question, my wife.
In truth, the racking pains in my head,
which have suffered since morning, led me
TO muse upon what have told you"
"And too, have felt a strange sensation
in my headall day; but | thought if spoke
Of it, it might alarm you"
"For that very reason have kept silent ;
but we shall both be better, perhaps, after
a nights rest. Let US perform our family
devotion and retire."
After prayers the red Goals on the hearth
were carefully raked up. and covered with
ashes, and in few moments the lights
were put out, and the good old couple slept.
Day dawned again. Earth smiled in its
crystal beauty. 1t was a brilliant morning.
Caspar and Lucia we're awake with the
first glimmering of light Indeed they had
slept uueasily, and had often spoke to each
other in the still watch Of night.
"Lucia !" exclaimed Caspar, feebly, "you
are burning up; how hot and feverish your
hands is"
"And you, too, husband; your forehead
is like coal of fire, and your eyes G lare
frightfully."
"So do yours. 1t would be strange il
we were both sick together"
"Oh! am not SICK" responded Lucia,
attempting to rise; but she fell back heavily
on the bed.
"My poor wife, what shall we do? |
too cannot RISE"
"I had hoped to make you something re-
freshing to drink; but my brain reels and
throbbs so suddenly, and the shooting pains
fly from limb to limb"
Higher rose the sun, glaring on the forest
of snow, yet no smoke came from the CHM
ney Of Caspar Fontaine.
The neig hbors wondered and thought the
old couple had oversight themselves. Broad
noon! and still no sign Of life from the usu.
ally busy inmates.
"Mary, just run over there" said far:
mer, who lived near, to his ruddy.cheeked
daughter, "and see if anything has happen
ed; it is very strange all seems so still
they are usually up before we are."
Mary came flying back 10 few moments
Hor 'chaot had locf ;fo rooo and her ewes