Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-08-01
VOL. 2.-NO. 1.-TOTAL. So.

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touching description, which for graphic pow
er, simplicity and psthos, is hardly oQualled
in the English language, describes the inter
ment of young and beautiful child, whose
sweetness Of disposition and purity Of ehsrsc-
ter are calculated to interest deeply the heart
of every reader.l
| Along the crowded path they bore her now /;
pure as the newly fallen snow that covered It;
whose day on earth had been as feeting. Un-
der that porch where she had sat when Heaven
| in its mercy brought her to the peaceful spot,
she passed again, and the old church received
her in its quiet shade. They carried her to
one old nook, where she had many time sat
musing, and laid their burden softly on the
pavement. The light streamed on it through
the colored Window window where the
boughs of trees were ever rustling in the sum-
mer, and where the birds sang sweetly all day
long. With every breath of air that stirred
among those branches in the sunshine, some
trem hling, changeing light, would fall upon
her grave. Earth to earth, sshes TO ashes,
dust to DUST Many young hand dropped in
its little wreath, many stifed sob was heard.
Some-and there were not few-knelt down.
All were sincere and truthful In their sorrow.
The service done, the mourners stood apart,
and the villagers closed around TO look into
the grave before the pavement stone should be
replaced. One called to mind how he had
seen her sitting on that very spot, and how
her book had fallen on her lap, as she was ga
zing with pensive face upon the sky. An
other told how he had wondered much that
one so delicate as she, should be so bold; how
she had never feared TO enter the church alone
at night, but had loved to linger there when
all was quiet and even to climb the tower
stair, with no more light than that of the moo on
rays stealing through the loop-hole in the
thick old wall. A whisper went about among
the oldest there, that she had seen and talked
with angels; and when they called to mind
how she had looked, and spoken, and her ear
ly death, some thought it might be SO, indeed.
Thus, coming to the grave, in little knots, and
glancing down, and giving place to others,
and falling off in whispering groups Of three or
| four, the church was cleared in time Of all but
the sexton and the mourning friends. They
saw the vault covered and the stone fixed
down.
Then, when the dusk of evening had come
on, and not a sound disturbed the sacred still
ness of the place-when the bright moon pour
ed in her light on the tomb and monument, On
pillar, wall and arch, and most of all (it seemed
to them) upon her quiet grave-in that calm
time, when all outward things and inward
thoughts TEEN with assurance of Immortality,
and worldly hopes and fears are humbled in
the dust before them-then, with tranquil and
submissive hearts they turned away, and left
the child with God. Oh! it is hard TO take to
heart the lessons that such deaths will teach;
but let no man reject it, for it is one that all
must learn, and is mighty, universal truth
When death strikes down the innocent and
young, for every fragile form from which he
lets the painting spirit free, hundred virtues
rise, in shapes of mercy, charity, and love, to
walk the world, and bless it. OF every tear
that sorrowing mortals shed on such green
graves, some good is born, some gentler ma
ture comes. In the destroyer's steps, there
spring up bright creations that defy his power,
and his dark path becomes way of light to
Heaven.-Dickens.