Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-07-23
cH0lcg LlTERATURE.
Three Scenes from Life's History.
BY ANNA.
LIFE AlNIID9 AN D9DBgE DEAkTDI5,nr sAkgTDI5,nr B,

.I,dFIi LIEF AH&R AAHBR RRQa DQFAaTHaal Sanding by the
IA an-lpSAf lpSAfaaa female that seemed to be in the
iast agonies of death. The perso ms to
whom these words werespoke were both STAN
ding near the bed. One of them was neat,
honest looking woman, dressed in calico
dress, with a snow-white cap, tied tastefully
under her chin. Thoug b her face was grave,
as the physician uttered these words, still
one could see that she was not very deep
ly interested, and that the feeling of curl
osity predominated, as she gazed at the dy-
ing woman. But the face Of the other fe-
male, as she leaned over the bed, betoken-
ed deep and bitter grief. She was tall,
fne-looking brunette, about forty years of
age, with bright, dark brow. brown eyes,
which were now, however, dimmed with
tears, and her glossy black hair was smooth
ly parted upon her forehead.
But let US turn to the sick one-she who
is about to leave this world and its cares
for a brighter and happier oae-one where
.taere shall be no more death, neither sor-
row, nor crying. neither shall there be any
more pain" But can she have shed many
tne--9 Can sne have frie rrrr.rh pain, one
so young,-so very young? Her features
bear strong resemblance to those of the
lady standing by her side, although her
complexion is that of blond, her eyes of
deep blue, and the stray curls which are
falling about her neck, and peeping from
under her cap, are Of beautiful golden
color. She can hardly have numbered
twenty summers, and must she die?
"And do you think, doctor, that there
is little hope that my sister can liver said
the dark-eyed lady, turning towards the
physician.
6 am sure of it, Mrs Howard" he
replied " sure that nature cannot last long
after such pangs and she may die even
But the child, doctor, the child - in
terrupted the nurse, bending eagerly for
ward.
Hush ~ sad the doctor, pushing the
woman impaticntly aside "What is the
life of the child to me, when that of the
mother hangs upon such thread See =
to her, for she is going fast" And in
truth, one could not look upon the sick
woman without feeling that such was the
case. Though her face had lost. to some
extent, that expression of pain and agony
which it had hitherto worn, and though the
glance of her eye was more elike, less
! fixed and settled, still it was but the expi-
ring spark, like that of candle that has
burned Pickering and uncertain, in the
socket, and which gives at the last bright
er light than ever, dies away, and all i:
darkness.
"Constance darest Constance ~ sale
Mrs. Howard, as she clapped her sister
emaciated hand tenderly between her own
"will you not speak to me, if it be onl.
one word?"
At the sound of her own name, the dy
ing one raised her eyes, and fixed then
lovingly upon the face which was bending
earnestly over her; then her pale lips NOV
ed, and she murmured-
| "Ah, Alice, do not look SO sad ! VIII,
should you mourn for me? should b
r happier there v' and she pointed upward
: with her finger.
! and how can I look otherwise thai
sad 2" sobbed the elder sister, her tear
d falling fast upon the pale face of the younl
It er: {" for when you are gone, will not b
all alone p
. "Alone r' Constance said somewhat r.
. proachfully ooh, no, sister, you will n
e be alone, for when the next steamer arrive
p froms Europe, will it not bring to yo'
is arms kind and loving husband, One we
1T tried for fifteen years! Husband, Isl
!; murmred, and her mind seemed to wande
= "where is mine? | once had kind al
= = loving one, but he was given to me but f
n. few short months, and when we parte
er he said, Constance, my sweet wife, | "
III call you soon away. Yes! you shall so
Do follow me y and l knew that what Hen
Ut said would be true, for he never decciv
Us me- Three nights ago, | saw him agai
es le and lie told me TuaU nc would soon COZ
no for me, and now [ am almost weary
to waiting - As the young wife utter
ta- these words, she started, a sweet and IA
AS py smi.e played around her mouth, and s
IRE stretched her hand over the side of the b
he as if to clasp something. Then turni
~ towards Mrs Howard, she continued, "l
'ha has come for me, Alice Yes! Henry
hy come to take me to his home, and he S;
r a that we must part, sweet sister Farew'
md Yes, Henry! husband! | come! | come
tn, x
? IS And one young and fragile spirit gen
~" 'or breathed its last, as younger and m
" fragile one breathed its first, in this VIC
vim of trouble.
sod X x
"The precious little hearth exclair
7. the nurse "if it isn't the blessed i'm
of its angel mother. And We must ca
!, Constance, after her, too. Come, au
W.T. and kiss your little neice !"
an But the heart Of Mrs. Howard was
;. MS full, as she kneeled. with clasped hands
nee the body of her lost sister, to notice
MIR. words of the delighted nurse, and the K
me hearted doctor, directing the attentio
IS a the latter to her attitude, placed his Fl
ould in silence upon his lips. He then stoc
ther kissed the child, while tear which s
in his eye fell upon the face of the III
scious little one. As he rose, he gaz(
imp stinctively from the child to the mothe
t., in the one, he saw the picture of
in the other, that of Death: the ext