True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-13


l say that my souls happiness, for The
remnant of this life, will be affected by
your decision, surely you will grant me
the request
But could you bear
Anything, doctor, but this suspense
l am willing TO be told the exact state of
my case /; fol you see, some days | feel
SO really well, that my hope is unduly
excited, and again, VIII en- the sleepless
hours and terrible pains come, death takes
an awful shape, and frighlens me out of
repose. But ifI was cer,ain'-she spoke
with solemnity-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, i will then grant This
request. You cannot certainly recover,
unless some extraordinary providence oc-
ours. Your life may be protracted some
months yet, but not over year at the
farthest, 80 it seems to me-
The pale cheek grew shade paler,
but the smile failed not on the gentle
lips.
Thank you, doctor, was her reply,
thank you for your trust and confidence
in me. You shall see l will not abuse
them
The beautiful consumplive sat alone in
her large easy chair some moments after
the doctor had gone. She gazed about
her on luxuries which wealth unbounded
had procured for her pleasure, and the
large untroubled eyes grew dim.
Then must de- she said TO herself,
'and oh, this fear, not Of an hereafter, but
of that dread passing through that valley
which shadows my hours Of suffering q
Even my religion does not dissipate that
shrinking, shuddering fear. The impress
sions of my childhood will not pass away,
but return with new force And as she
thus half whispered to herself, lovely
malron entered, and hurrying to her side,
kissed the fair brow.
You are better today, child,' she said
in tones Of forced calmness may, don't
shake your head SO mournlully; indeed,
if you knew how mueh improved you
appear, and she drew low seat towards
the young girl and sat gazing in her eyes
with the holy love of maternity.
'Molher,' said the consump'ive, as she
took the matron's hand in her own,
there is something | want you to do for
me-
What is it, darlingl You know l
would lay down my life for you
For an instant the pale lip quivered /;
but commanding herself, the young girl
gently said:
j wan. you to talk TO me Of death-ol
my own death, which is certain soon.'
MY Amy! was all the mother could
arliculate her voice seemed frozen by
horror.
Yes, mother for, listen a moment, i,
will make your poor sick child more vii.
ling 10 leave earth, and find heaven. Il
you will talk daily and cheeriully Of my
passing away: if you will surround the
! thought with cheerfullness, aad make the
last struggle seem pleasant to me, thi:
strange horror with which / regard i
would fade away, aud my mind be drawr
more wholly to the better land. Il may
be sacrifice to you, my mother, but
shall learn to look forward to my death
bed with calmness, which l strive in vail
: to do now. Will youtry to do this moth
> eri Will you talk of it ofienl VIII
you repeat The sweet words that dyinI
: saints have spoken . Will you speak o
the smiles that reposed upon their faces
until can think cheer(ully, and talk with
ou, reserve Of that change, even as
would lie down, and putmy garments by
ready 10 attire myself when | shout
awake in the fair morningl viii yo
tell those who come 10 see me never :
shrink from speaking to me Of death =
. Will you do this my moiherl'
/, The matron promised, and retired I
). her chamber to shed the tears Of angus
born Of this request. She too, had lon
/ felt that her child must die, but had pu
: afar of the evil day. And in The strengt
Of God she performed her duty.
Q Seven months had passed, and still ger
: lie Amy lived. The fatal crimson burr
its death FIRE ialo her cheek, and her eye
It cleaned with The 6tiul aash Of disease
n but abod, her sweet lips hoyered col