Butte record., 1856-05-17
Gbe 5turq.
tFrom the Boston Pilot. ]
Easter-EVe.
BY MRS. S. H. DORSEY.

BY MRS. s. H. DORSEY.
Twilight was creeping through the
low door of John Halleran's cabin. =
The golden sunlight had just rippled
through ike a bright and silent stream
the gray sad light, and deeper still
ness-but was all the same-ioy had
not entered with either! Neither the
joy that goes futtering up like swift
winged bird with the brightness to-
wards Heaven, or that quiet rapture
Of hope that often dawns and bright
ems amidst the twilight shadows, until
a star ariseth, and shines amidst the
clouds of the soul. For there was
great sorrow beneath the thatched roof
Of John Halleran. A time of dark
ness was around him-one of those
gloomy, rayless hours, which often
leave men standing meekly sorrowfully
blind and helpless, waiting for the day
dawn to rise, that they may see their
way.
The glow of the turf fire, paled and
flickered. The rush tapers lay ne
elected and uncared for, on the table,
and through the half open door a chill
ly wind crept III with the darkness of
night. Still the strong man, bowed
and heartsore, sat covering, with his
face buried in his hands, over the
hearth. At intervals a deep moan
broke on the hushed stillness-then a
hurried whisper-then dropping Of
beads, as the rosary hung over his
hands, then all about him became mo-
tionless again.
A quick footstep sounded without
a light hand was laid on the door, and
a woman W apped in a kirtle and hood
came in. John Hallcran, she said,
are You here! 1t is SO dark cannot
sec.'
''Thanks be to God, you have come
at last he said, starting up, and turn
ing over the fire.
Have been so long away? | made
great haste sure, but I was kept wait
ing for Cassidy who has takin' on his
self the airs of the gintry'-she said,
lighting the rush taper. Then she sat
down quite spent and weary beside her
husband-threw back the hood from a
face which in its spring time Lad been
beautiful-pushed back from her fore
head the dark hair, where shone out
many a thread of white, and taking
his large toil-worn hand between hers
held it tenderly.
There's no cheer, Katie, I known
he said in a low hoarse voice.
Now John mayourneen; and sorry
am | to be the bearer of i'll news at all
but we may as well expect to find
bread in the heart Of milestone, as to
hope for mercy from such man as
Cassidy. He won't renew the lease,
and says if we are not out before Mon
day night, which you know cNsdla, is
Easter Monday, he viii have the thatch
hmtled down about our ears. But then
don't be after breaking your heart,
sure. It's a wide world, and it'll be
only the little graves beyant, that we'd
be leaving, if we are druv out of the
country said Katie, while she laid her
arm over his shoulder, and looked ten
derly upon his bowed, but stern face.
It's well YOU mentioned them little
graves, Katie darling'-he said at last
Our children came and left us, like
summer birds. One after another they
fitted away from your bosom, wife, in
their innocent beauty to become dwell
lers in the Eternal Glory of the King
dom of Heaven. If they We're not there
If they were here-gathenng about
me this night, with pale famished looks
and the black sorrow in their hearts,
because the morrow would find them
homeless, | should have the mark of
Cain on my forehead before sun rise
Hush, John! For the love of our
Mother of Sorrows be quiet, and God
pardon you for letting such a thought
come between you and heaven'-said
Katie crossing herself. | have had
sorrowful life these many years, John.
When my blue eyed babies were tux
away one after another, and laid in the
mould along with the forgotten sleepers
in the ould Abbey grave yard, dark
ness came torment me and this life, and
| know this night-may God pardon
me-that | never felt right Or satisfied.
| have been rebellious, but now, John,
that this hour is come, I give thanks
to God that He tux them to Himself,
seeing that the thought Of them being
angels forever more, has kept you from
the sin of murder
'1es-we can now feel that they
we're taken from the evil to come
SAID Halleran slowly. Suppose little
fair haired Ally, and laughing Katie,
and the two brave dark eyed boys, and