The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-01-24
aflisttllal>eolrs.
From the NJ. Y. Peoples Organ.
"It Is not Hard to Die"
BY MRS. N. A. DENISoN.

"Now, DOCTOR" said a sweet faced girl
looking with confidence into the kind face
that had bent over her often, "tell me il
there is any certainty that shall ever re.
cover! think not; so you see am pre-.
pared for ill tidings, and | am continually
tormenting myself with the question. Will
you not be candid with me, dear Dr. Ellisp
awhile there is life"-commenced the
doctor, but the frail young creature inter.
rupted him. saying:
"No, no, doctor, that won't do; ] must
have your professional opinion; and when l
say that my souls happiness for the rem.
nant of this life, will be affected by your
decision, surely you will grant me the re-
quest"
"But could you bear"
"Anything, doctor, but this suspense. I
am willing to be told the exact state of my
case; for you see, some days feel so really
well, that my hope is unduly excited: and
terrible pains come. death takes an awful
shape, and frightens me ont Of response
But if was certain 'A-she spoke with So
lemnity-"I would teach my mind to dwell
upon it in such way that my foolish fears
would leave me-"
my sweet GIRL" said the doctor, taking
her wasted hand, II will then grant this re-
quest. You cannot certainly recover, un-
less some extraordinary providence occurs.
Your life may be protracted some months
yet, but not over a year at the fartherest, so
itseems to me-"
The pale cheek grew shade paler, but
the smile faded not on the gentle lips.
"Thank you, DOCTOR was her reply,
"thank you for your trust and confidence in
me. You shall see Twill not abuse them. :"
The beautiful consumptve sat alone in
her large easy chair some moments after the
doctor had gone. She gazed about her on
Injuries which wealth unbounded had pro.
cured for her pleasure, and her large, un-
troubled eyes grew dim.
"Then must diev' she said to herself,
sand oh, this fear, not Of an hereafter, but
Of that dread passing through the valley
which shadows my hours Of suffering! Ev-
en- my religion does not dissipate that shrink
Ing, shuddering fear. The impressions of
my childhood will not away. but return with
new force" And as she thus hall lfwhisper-
ed to herself a lovely matron entered, and
burrying to her side, kissed the fair brow.
lyon Y, are better to-day, chld," she said in
tones of forced calmness; "nay don't shake
your head so mournfuly; indeed, If you
knew how much improved you appear and
she drew q low seat towards the young girl,
and sat gazing in her eyes with the holy love
of maternity.
s'Mother." said the consumptive, as she
took the matron's hand in her own, "there
is something Iwant yoa to do for me-"
@What y il. darlingl You know would
lay down my life for you,"
,For an instant the pale lips quiyered; but
.lcommanding herself, the young girl said
gently:
"a want you to talk to me of death--of nay
own death. which is certain soon."
',,sE'' NY Amy!' was all the mother could ar
aticnlatej her voice seemed frozen by hor-
ror. & N
Yesmother, i for listen moment. ID will
make you poor child sill more willing to
leave earth, and find heaven. If you will
sfalkldaily and cheerfully of my passing d.
way, # you will surround the thought with
cheerfNlHess, and make the last struggle
Sseem pleasaAt to me. this strange horror
with which ltregara \ would fade away and
mymind be drawn more wholly to the bet
Ter land. i may be ssacfifcsr 70 yonsmy
mother. but | shall learn to look forward I'd
NY death-bed with calmness which strive