The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-11-13

Of one who has rs vet known only pros
pcritv and success, to whom no misclance
has vet shown the fail basis on which
human hopes are built. Her foot had as
vet trod only the high places OF life, but
she walked there with, natural grace
and nobleness that made every one fee
that she was made for them and thcyfoI
her. ..l .rF .'i.a' 'a
Around the parents were gathered at
this moment charming group Of chill
dren, who with much merriment were
proceeding to undo bundle the father
had Just brought from the city. ..
"Hcre, Rose" said little Amy, blue
eyed, flaxcn.haired pet. who seemed to
be privileged character, "lct me come
don't be all night with your orderly ways
lot me cut that string A sharp flash OF
the scissors, quick report of the burst
ing string, and the package lay opened to
the little marauder. Rose drew back,
smiled, and gave an indulgent look at her
eager Younger sister and the two little
ones who Immediately gathered around.
She was one Of those calm, thoughtful,
womanly young girls, that seem born for
pattern elder sisters, and for the stay and
support of mothers hearts. She watch
ed with gentle, quiet curiosity the quick
and eager fingers that soon were busy in
exposing the mysteries Of the parcel.
"There's dress for Rose" said Amy,
triumphantly drawing out delicate mus
lin: .'I can always tell what's for her.,
"Howl" put in the father, who stood
regarding the proceeding with that air Of
amused superiority with which the wear
crs of broadcloth look down on the mys-
teries of muslin and barege.
"Howg" said Amy, "why, because they
lock Just ike her. II | were TO see that
lilac muslin in China, ! should say it was
meant for Rose. Now this is mine, !
know,-this sbrightpink isn't it,mamma!
No half shades about INT" !"
mo, indeed" said her mother; "tlat
is your greatest fault, Amy"
oh, well, mamma, Rose has enough for
both; you must rub us together, rs they
do liz It red aud Prussian blue, to make
neutral tint. But oh, what ribbon !!
oh, mother, what love OF ribbon -
Rose Rose. look at this ribbon! And
oh, those buttons! Fred, do believe
they arc for Your new coat! Oh, and
those studs, father, where's idyouget them!
What's in that box! a bracelet for Rose,
know, oh, how beautiful Perfectly ex-
quisite. And hcre-oh"
Here something happened to check the
volubility of the little speaker; for as
she hastily, and with the license Of n pet
ted child, pulled the articles from the
parcel, she was startled to find clyhg
among the numerous colored things a
black Grape veil. Sombre, dark, and ili-
omcncd enough it~looked there, with
pink, and lilac, and blue, and glittering
jijoRtere around it
Amy dropped it with instinctirs re-
pugnancc, and thore was q general ex-
clamation, mamma, what's this how
came it hcrc' what did you get this for I"
"Strangc" said Olivia; "ii is u mourn
iaq reii. OF course / did not order it.
How came il in here nobody knows; It
must have been n mistake Of the clerk"
"Certainly it is mistake" said Amy {;
1--WE have nothing to do with mourning,
have we" .....I
NO. to be sure; what should we mourn
for!" chimcd in little Fred and Mary.
"What dark, ugly thing it is" said
ANY, unfolding and throwing it over her
head; show dismal it must be to see the
world through such veil as this"
.And yet till one has seen the world
through a veil like that, one has never
truly lived" said another voice, joining
in the conversation. -.
"Ah. Father Payson, are YOU there Z
said two or three voices at once.
Father Payson was the minister of the
village, and their nearest ncighbor; and
not only their nearest neighbor, but their
nearest friend. In the afternoon Of his
wears, life's day with him now stood at
that hour when, though the shadows
fall eastward, yet the songs Of the birds
sweetcr, than even in its jubiant morn
ing. -r .'.
God sometimes gives to good men a
guileless and holy second childhood, in
which the soul becomes childlike, not
childish, and the faculties in full fruit and
ripcness are mellow without sign ofdecay.
This is that song full landof Beulah. where
they who have travelled manlully the
! Christian way abide awhile to show the
world perfected manhood. Life with
its battles and its SORROWS, lies far behind
them; the soul has thrown off its armor,
and sits in an evening undrcss Of calm
and holy leisure. Thrice blessed the
family or neighborhood that numbers
among itonc ofthcsc not asccndcd saints
Gentle arc they and tolerant, apt to play
with little children, easy to be pleased
with simple pleasures, aud with pitying
wisdom guiding those who err. New
England has been blessed in numbering
many such among her country pastors
aud spontaneous, instructive Difference
honors them with the title Of Father.
I Father Pavson was the welcome inmate
Of every family in the village, the chosen
friend even of the young and thoughtless.
He had stories for children, jokes for the
young. and wisdom for all. He 1talked
good" as tho phrase goes,-not because
he was the minister, but because, being
good, he could not help it; yet his words,
unconsciously to himself, were often par.
ablcs, because life to him had become all
spiritualizcd. and he saw sacred meanings
under worldly things. M
The children seizcl him lovingly by
either hand and seated him in the arbor.
"ls'nt it strange" said Amy, "to see thi:
ugly black thing among all these bright
colors! such strange mistake in the
clerk .f,. f.r .
'Ifone were rcinclincd to besupestitious,
said Albert, "hc might call this an omen
. ~