The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-19

even of the young and thoughtless. He had
stories for the children, Jokes for the Young, and
wisdom for oil. he "talked good" as the
phrase goes-not because he was the minister.
but because, being good, he could not help it
vet his words, unconsciously to himself, were
parallels, because life to him had become all
spiriiusiized, and he saw sacred meanings under
worldly things.
| The children seized him lovingly BY either
hand, aud seated him in the arbor.
"Isn't it strange" said Amy, "to see this
ugly black thing among all these bright colors I?
Such strange mistake in the clerk "
"If one were inclined to be superstitious"
said Albert, he might call this an omen"
What did you mean, SIR" asked Rose,
quietly seating herself q. his feet, "by seeing
life through this veil?"
1T was parable, my daughter" he said,
laying his hand on her head.
81 never have had any deep sorrow" said
Olivia, musingly; we have been favored ones
hitherto. Bot why did you say one must see
the world through such medium as this?r
Sorrow is Gods school," said thu OLD man.
Even Gods owu Son WAS not mace perfsc;
without it; though a son, yet learned he ODE
dience by the things that he suffered. MANY Of
the brightest virtues are like stars there must
be night, or they cannot shine Without suf
fering there could be no fortitude, no patience
no compassion, no sympathy. Take all sorrow
out OF life, and you take away all richness, and
depth, and tenderness. Sorrow is the furnace
that me'ts selfish hearts together in love. Many
are hard and moons derste, not because they
lack capabll,ly OF feeling, but because the vase
that holds the sweet waters has never been
broken"
Is it, then, an imperfection and misfortune
never to have suffered ? " said Olivia
Father Payson looked down. r Sc was look.
ing into his face. There was a bright, eager.
yet subdued expression in her eyes, hat struck
him; it had often struck him before in the vii.
lage church. 1t was as if bis words had AVA
kened an internal angel, thu: ioc ked futtering
out behind them. Rose had been from child
hood one of those thoughtful, listening children,
with whom one seems to commune without
words. We spend hours talking with them, and
fancy they have said many things to us, which
on reflection, we find have been said only with
their silent answering eyes. Those who talk
much often reply 10 you less than those who
silently aud thougbtfully listen. Aud 80 it
came to pass, that on account Of this quietly
absorbent, Rose had grown to her parents
hearts with a peculiar nearness Eighteen
summers had perfected her beauty. The mira
Gle OF the growth and perfection of human
body and soul never wakes old parents mar
vel at 1t in every household, as if child had
never grown before; and so Olivia and Albert
looked on their fair Rose daily with restfu
and trusting pride.
At this moment she laid her hand on Father
Payson's knee, and said, earnestly, Ought we
10 pray for sorrow, thenP"
"Oh, no, no, moi" interrupted Olivia, with
an instructive shudder- such a shudder as a
warm, earnest, prosperous heart always gives.
| n a fal lie 20 -.
say yes!"
- do not cay we should pray for it," said
Father Psyson; "yet the Master says, Blessed
are they that mourn not BLESSED are they
that prosper So heaven and earth differ in
their judgment"
"Ah, mel" said Olivia, &C. am afraid have
not courage to wish to be among the blessed"
Well" said Albert, whom the gravity of
the discussion somewhat disturbed, "let us not
borrow trouble; time enough to think of il
when it happens. Come, the dew is falling,
let US go in. l want to show Father Payson
,some peaches that will tempt his Christian
j graces 10 envy. Come, Rcse, gather up here"
Rose in few moments gathered the parcel 10
gether, and quietly fitted before them into the
house.
"Now," said Albert, "youll see that girl
will have everything quietly tucked away in
just the right place; not a word said She is
born housewife; it's in her, as much as it is in
pointer to show game"
Rose is my right hand" said Olivia; Il
should be lost without her,"
| whence comes 1t, that just an the verge of
the great cr;sea and Affections of life, words are
| often spoken, that to after view seem to have
had prophetic meaning? So often do we
kesr people saying, "Ah, the very day before
heard OF this or that we were saying 30 and
sol" 1t would seem sometimes as is :he soul
felt itself being drawn with:. .he dark sphere
of coming veil; Of which as yet nothing out
ward tells. Then the thoughts and converse.
ton flow in an almost prophetic CHANGE, which
coming future too well iG.ssprets.
The evening passed chserfully with our
trends, notwithstanding the grave conversation
IL the aroor. The mourning veil was laid aside
in drawer, along with many of its brilliant
companions and with it the thoughts it had
suggested and the merry laugh, ringing from
the half open parlor door, showed that Father
Payson was no despiser of the command to re-
joce with them that do rejoice.
Rose played ana Song, the children danced,
and tho Iairth WAS prolonged till late hour in
the evening.
Olivia and Albert were lingering in the par.
lor, after the departure of the family, busy in
shutting windows, setting back chairs and at
tending to all tina lsst dates OF orderly house
holders.
A sudden shrek startled them; such shrek
as, once heard, is never forgotten. With an all
swering cry of horror, they rushed up the stairs
The hail lamp had been extipguished, bat the
passage and staircase were red with broad
glare from the open dQo= Of the nursery.
moment more showed them the drapery
e. tao bed in which their youngest child was
ALI nfHn oil in y, IL.
form, tearing down the blszing curtains.
"Oh, Rose take care, Tor Gods sake your
dress you'll Kill Yourself oh, God help us 4"
There were few moments-awf1l moments
O. struggie-when none knew or remembered
what they did moment more, and Rose Law
painting in her fathers arms, developed in o
thick blanket which he had thrown aroaud her
burning night-dress. The FIRE uas extinsush
ed, the babe lay unsvase aed, and only the
dark hecks If der scattered over the bed.
and tho trampled mass on the ho5r, told what
had been. But Rose had breathed the hot
breath of the fame, deadly to human life, and
no water could quench that inward fire.
A word serves to explain ca. 'rne child's
nurse had carelesslJ set a lamp too near the
curtsics, .na the night breeze had waited them
into the flame. The apartment of Rose opened
into the nursery, and as she stood in her night
dress before her mirrc-. arranging her hair
she saw the flashing of the fame, and, in the
one idea Of saving her little sister, forgot every
other. The act of selfforgetfsluess was her
last earthly act; q few short hours of patien,
suffering wers sll that remained to her. Peace.
fully as she had lived, she died, looking tender.
iy on her parents out of her large blue eyes,
and only intent to soothe their pain.
"Yes, suffer-" she said, "but only a sbo,,
pain. We must all suffer something. Nv
Father thinks very littlp saoueh for me. /