The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-12
For the National Era.
| 1T T LE M A G G | {.
BY +. ii. r.

Who would not tire of this prosy, working
world, did not God send betimes a transient
human flower of Paradise, to light up its weary
ways Men jostle and trample upon each other,
and refined souls recoil from their harsh utter
ances-but ever and anon, through Gods gift
there thrills the delighted ear, the music of Joy
GUS, guileless childhood.
There is no'melody like the voice of an limo
cent, happy child-so thought we, when first
we received the warm greeting of little Maggie.
0, she was beautiful child Who has not
seen one such in lifetimei perchance have
had lent a brother or sister, who thus made
them feel that of such is the Kingdom of
Heaven; little beings, nimble-footed, rosy
checked, with great brimful eyes, and hearts too
stout for their tiny breasts Dear little crea-
lures, those stout hearts drink in the sunshine
of love, and grow till they burst their frail ten
ement, and leave nothing but echoes and tiny
footprints for friends, made better by their tran
silent presence.
God has been kind to us, and we have known
two such beings-and for the gift we love the
rude world the less, though Heaven more. One,
bound to US by ties of blood, long ago exhsled
its brief life, and the brown lock of hair we cher
ish has faded, like the memory of his glad fea
lures. Over the grave of the other, endeared
to us as a friend in msturer years, the grass
has not yet grown; and we would fain to her
also bear our little tribute of affection, believing
her spirit still hovers round those she loved.
We need not tell how she looked. The
stamp of Heaven fingers on the features of all
such wanderers hither. Their lustrous eyes
and clear compilations but betoken their evan
escent natures. How we love to recall every
lineament of the little one, every varying ex-
preston, every gentle tone, indeed every man
fold winning way. We love to think of the
garb she wore-how this softened still more
her delicate complexion-how that lent rosy
tint to her pale cheek; but we most love to re-
member her, as we oftenest saw her, in her
little school bonnet-one of those arch Shaker
bonnets, with green ribbons, which bear the
patent right of childhood wear. 1t must have
been the bright eyes and joyous features of
little Maggie that lent a charm to that weather
worn bonnet, and made it seem 80 much pref
tier and more becoming than any other. Some.
times we almost think we see it bounding down
the street-and now and then an elastic tread
makes watch for it at our door-but, alas,
We remember the little weather stained bonnet
hanging ON the wall like pictureless frame;
the empty thing seems worn and faded, save
when love comes with fond remembrances
Maggie first came to us in our country home.
How she endeared herself to every member of
the household-to one, by her laughing, child
like ways; to another, by her wisdom beyond
her years; to our more practical mother, by
her nice care of her wardrobe; to every one,
by some trait peculiar to maturer age. She
gave us a fortnight's sunshine, and then left
a part of US forever. How lovingly we linger
over the last visit of a friend how we wonder
some foreboding of evil had not visited us, and
indulge in vain regrets that we had not done
this or that, to have made the dear one happier.
It's wise provision of Providence, perhaps,
which thus enables us to look back, with more
Joy, upon the spontaneous outgushings of hos.
pitality.
1t was our own good fortune after that to see
much more of little Maggie. We cherish many
an after handgrasp, and many an earnest look
of her up-turned face. Just this moment we
see the dear creature, as she bounded into our
room at D, with her little carpet bag, ex-
claiming, Give come to see you, E., and am
going to stay two whole days." That was her
last and best visit to ourself. We were proud
of her; she looked SO refined, so superior to
her years. We listened eagerly to strangers
comments upon "that interesting little girl"
Strange that our longer life's experience did
not tell us that the stout heart had almost made
its way, that disease was giving clearness to
the complexion and brillisncy to the eye.
"Shc came with pnlons,
All quivering from on high;
Strange our dull sense could not perceive
They were lifted but TO fly"
This time, as ever, little Maggie left sunny
memory. The tear of gladness started, when
our hostess told US she had never, in SO short
time learned to love child SO well. Twas
not because, with her usual thoughtfulness, she
dressed the little one in the morning for the
busy mother, and cared for it all day, but be-
cause her kindly young heart made her face
radiant with gentleness and love.
So she went on, gaining friends everywhere,
scattering beautiful words and chances, either
making home glad by her merry presence, or
soothing a parents wearied hours by her gen.
tie assiduities. Never word of complaint,
never a thought of self. Her step grew less
elastic, her spirituelle eyes looked lapguid