Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-12
From the -Scalpei."
LIFE LIGHTS AND SHADOWS.
BIZ b. ". <


The bright frost-sparks were on the trees II
the forest, and when the moon, with her milo
torch, lighted them up, they glittered like Sc
many fairy diamonds; they glowed with ligh
and lustre, changing from sparks of light tc
blue and green gems; and all the air fickered
with these specks of frost, painted into dia-
dems by the rich, soft moonlight. There is
nothing so beautiful in all nature as one OF
these evenings; the air is so still that if the
soul listens, ii cannot shut out the angels
whispers that come to us mixed up with music
that cannot be printed. Angels never speak
when the sun shines, Hor when the white robe
of winter has folded all nature into its pure
mantle; no, they only come when the moon
shines in late autumn, when the nights are
clear and the air keen, and the frost sparkles
with cold. Then all earnest souls can hear
them. They do not address the ear; they
speak to the spirit, and fill it with love and har-
mony. with mercy and blessings.
Spring, with its flowers and birds, had come,
and scattered its smiling glanees on all the
works of God. Summer had succeeded. and
ripened the fruit, and dressed up the year with
a full-lapped bounty; and then had come one
of the frost-nights, misgled with moon fire
the nights on which the mercy-angeIs are
Abroad on errands of goodness
had sat q long time in my window, watch
ing tho white, fieecy clouds that foated over
the deep-bue sky. They were brilliant with
reflected light, and as gaudy as the royal dia-
nond- -spsngled robe of some eastern queen.
I went to the window, and returned to my IL
brary, and then went again, with uncovered
head, into the boundlcss sea of mystic cold and
light, and listened to the seraph voices, Il lis
ten with my spirit,) and tlcn returned again to
my warm room, to enjoy the delightful con-
trast between bathing my body in dead heat,
and plunging my living spirit into the fatIlom-
lsss sea of gIittering light.
Why could rot sleep, know not but
could not. j was too happy; felt serenity
that spoke of mercy, of some good to be done;
some suffering spirit, that needed the hush of
last blessing, was speaking to me, and SEEM
Cd to say '.Can YOU not watch one short hour.
when have not slept for two long nights, and
shall never sleep again till | awake into ever
lasting life' Know you not that love darts
her message into the human heart through
when sorrow pleads for mercy, the spirit hears
it's hears it just rs merciful God hears our
prayers and listens to our wants2''
Ny soul was so full OF thought and blessings
that / was in sea of thankfulness and joy
vixen was roused by the pattcr Of two little
feet on the door-stone. l knew ii was child'S
step. it was so soft, and yet so confident;
oh eff has no faar in tl,a
have no fear. The little rap fell on the door;
il soft rap, for her little hand was cover
ed wi:h mitten to keep the frost-diamonds
from biting it. The frost has feeling for
little hands; it only loves to shine and spar
klo, and sparkle and shine, before the
sun shall come and spoil its beauty and power
to harm. opened the door, and in stepped
little Julia, mufled in shawl. and mittens,
and hood ; and her little shoes wepc stiff with
face WAS all covered with love, and looked very
bright, and the still tear stood in her eye, and
she could not speak.
s'Oh, Julia!'' said /, 'sare You not Geld,
childa and why is my darling cut alone7'
'.It is so light, sir, that could come easily
without being lost.''
81 know it is light, but it is very cold you
came alone, did you not?''
go yes, sir, Mr.. Doctor, came alone. but l
was not afraid, nor cold any, and her bright
red lip trembled, and she could not speak;
and on her check the frost had painted full,
red flush, and the skin was white as the snow
flake. She looked very beautiful, and her
heart was full, too full to tell me more.
ssAnd you were not afraid, you said, and Won
are only nine years old, | think, and have
come three miles, in the night, too, all alone
did you como to see me, Miss Julia!'
ayes, Mr.. Doctor; my mother is very sick,
and came TO get you to cure her, and she said
God protected all good children, and then she
seemed to be with me all the way, and was
not afraid - and here the dear child burst into
tears.
Twas very busy warming the child, for was
enchanted and bewildered by the fidelity and
confidence Of the charming little girl, for
haa often seen her light form tripping along