Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-08-01
miscellaneous Artiflfs.
For the Standard.
THE VICTIM.

In the silent churchyard yonder, among
he little mounds of earth beneath whose
surfaces lie the moldering remains OF the
ong-since departed, there is one which
shows by its fresh dug earth, its new and
headstone, that but short time
has elapsed since it was prepared for the
reception of the mortal remains of some
one who has left this world for that which
is to come.
Approaching nearer we read the in
scription, and find it to the memory of
female who died as the figures show, in
the morning of life; at that age when the
ardor and gaiety of youth are giving
place to the more sedate and womanly
deportment which comes with middle
age.
A friend tells US the history of her
who lies here beneath the clods. She
was born of wealthy parents in one of
those beautiful villages which are scat
tered over the Green Mountain State
She was an only daughter, and her pa
rents resolved that she should enjoy all
the advantages which tend to produce
happiness in this world. Her education
was early attended to; but owing to a
want of love for study and patience ne
cessary to acquire knowledge, her pro-
gress was slow. Yet her parents fondly
hoped that when her tender age was
passed and the years of understanding
come, that she would appreciate her ad-
vaRtages and apply herself with zeal to
her studies. But with blooming youth
came beauty, both in form and counte-
nance; with these a love for all those
things which please the eye and delight
the ear-the evening party and social
circle, and lastly and most destructive of
all, passion for dancing and the ball
room. She was allowed by her parents
to indulge herself in all these as much as
she liked. She dressed in accordance
with the snowy fashions of the day, and
having no labor to perform but the pre-
pairing and adjusting of her equipments
she had ample time to arrange her dress
in the most tasteful manner. Many time:
in the ball room she had danced unit
quite exhausted, and was obliged to take
wine in order to excite her nerves ant
hold out until the scene of revelry wa
closed. Then emerging from the heated
atmosphere of the hall into the cold nigh
air, her clothing, which though the mos
expensive was wholly inadequate to pro
tect her slender frame. 1t was no
strange that nature after repeated aggres
sions finally gave way and left her upol
a bed of sickness, with that fell destroye
consumption, fastened upon her vita
frame. Nurses and physicians were no1
employed, and every means resorted t.
hoping that she would soon recover fror
what they believed to be only cold or
slight indisposition from some unknown
cause. And when after short time sh
seemed little better and was able t
leave her bed and sit upon the sofa b
the freside, her parents and husband
for she had been married but a short tim
before her enthusiastically hoped tbs
the flush of health would soon return
her faded cheek, and that ere long sh
would again be permitted to enjoy ii
society Of her acquaintance. But thi
awful disease, though sometimes slow,
always sure. Soon her cough began
increase, and in short time almo
wholly prevented the approach of slee
to repose her weary eye-lids. The pr
scriptions of the most skillful physician
were administered in vain. Their effe
was only transitory. The firm hold
the disease could not be shaken, and aft,
lingering through the long winter 81
- died at the dawn of beautiful mornir
is, in the charming month of May, when 8
- nature is reviving to cheer the droopir
OF spirit of man. 1t is her form that no
ds lies before you, where it will rest till Il
q dawn of the resurrection morn.
x Thus perish hundreds who disreca,
OF the laws of nature and bring upon ther
~ selves disease and premature death, wi
Is might have lived to old age had tn.
~ been instructed in the path of rectitud
en- And yet, parents, when their loved OF
Is thus dies will console themselves by 81
ing that they are now glad they indulge
&c their child in her wishes, SO that they c;
&c have the memory of that tenderness IN,
which TO reflect.
~ Derby. FPS
d, ROGER WILLIAMS.