The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-05-08
when I stood at his bedside I lost INV

when stood ut his bedside lost m
sslf.command, though I had resolved to /
very brave, and the tears rolled down m,
cheeks. had not been prepared to @
him looking 30 wan and attenuated, .
much like spirit. The soul in his eye
bcamed brighter than ever. but the bodil
life seemed utterly wasted away. Hc wa
dying of exhaustion. 5,..,|,.
The next few hours were full, in th
midst of our strong agony, Of peace AM
trust too sacred for words. rsmembc
their very utterancc, but no third persol
can share them-they must die with me-
We were married, tho next morning, follow
ing. He objected atlfnt. He said HI
would not burden me with his weakness an,
his mfsring-that should not take hi
hand to 90 down with him into the night
Then showed him my heart, and he know
that all my life was in his love-thst 1
| would bc best for us both. We were mar
I'red, and took my husband homd. Th'
doctor said the change could not hurt him
and had great hopes that native air ant
the tender care Of one who loved him %
would give back the strength to his failing
limbs. .... rra. ."a.n..a
He vas % weak and helpless that no de-
pended On me like little child. He had
never even asked where would take him
We were Eve days making the journey, in
an old fashioned chaiss, which I had hired
for the purpose. The afternoon Of the 6ftf
day we wound round slowly up tho hill to-
ward tho little cottage. Harry's head lay
upon my breast.
"Loot up" ! said, rou,iug him, "herc II
homo. That little house is yours and mine
lOve-I earned il In those last four years fol
Us to live in" ..'." ..
"He said nothing, but he lifted up hi
head and looked at It eargerly, with the col
CT coming and going very fast in his war
cheek. Then hc sank back again, closer
coscr against my heart, and drew my bant
silently over his wet eyes. It needed NJ
words to tell me how fully my HUSBAND
BLESSED me in that moment. though word'
wero not wanting afterwards, Of wonder n
my self denial and perseverance, Of prais,
and passionate love.
81 supported him from the gate up to th'
house door. led him in and mado hin
rest on the lounge in the comfortable parlor
and, seeing him there despite sickness ant
sorrow, l was happy.
"That was the golden summer ofmy life
Harry did not suffer much pain. He va
not very sick, only weak. He loved to 81
as had fancied no would, at the open win
dow, drinking in the sights and sounds o
tho beautiful nature outside. was Away
near him at my sewing. The neighbor
were very kind. They gavo me oil tho worl
I could do. so that We wanted for nothing
which could help to make Harry comforta
bio. ! felt sure, all tho while, that h
would recover. He was 80 cheerful, enter
ing into all my plans, and never saying any
thing that could dishearten me. He wa
my idol, but did not think God woult
take him from me.
The summer passed away at last. Th'
apples grew ripe upon the trees, and th'
grape vines hung heavy with their purpl'
clusters. But the bracing winds brough
no strength to my patient sufferer, ant
when the leaves fell from the trees the ligh
of his life went out. Oh, l cannot tall
about it. lloved him too we'll to tell yot
calmly, how he died. Ny arms wcro rount
him. His last kiss, his last prayer, his las
blessing were for his 'truo wife-Margcry ;
his last breath can,o family against my pas
sonately clinging lips. oh, I had no
thought no could have died and the life
blood still coursing through my veins-I
who loved him so-who was one flesh viii
him. But he has slept forty years, COM
next 2Sth of October, in the village church
yard, and | am bore still.
Il have lived in this house ever since.
could not 60 out again into the world.
had work enough broush brought hero Il
keep cold and hunger away from my dwell
ling, l asked nothing moro. He was gone
and with him earthly hope died, and all 0
life was memory. Perhaps, I cannot say
il l had loved him less, God would not bav
taken him from me. But the long grief !
over now. You said once that was alone
but that word, which seemed so terrible t
you, has no stings for me. Other love coul'
never bo to mein place Of the dead, and
thank God, calmly, at every days sunset
that am ono day nearer the still.aowinl
river, On whose other shore Harry PiersoI
Is waiting to dwell with mo forever, in
mansion not mado with hands-eternal II
che heavens
lwent away sorrowfully and in silence
for l recognized in my own love no coun
tcrpart to the long enduring devotion, which
time and poverty could not chill, and death
had only power to mako immortal.
Mother Margery is dead long ago.
heard tho bell toll for her seventy two year
Of life, but 1t sounded to mo like marriage
chimes, for knew that sho was old ant
grey no longer. in heaven, and in tho spring
time Of her immortal youth, she was ono
more standing beside tho lover Of her girl
hood. ....|. ..
A stately mansion rises now on the hil
which the little brown cottage crowned il
years gone by, but no flowers in It's well
kept garden arc half 30 sweet ~ mothe
Margcry's roses, and all that art and woalti
can do for its establishment fades into in
significance before the simple tale Of tina