Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-07-09
Srlrrt MiareIlnnq
A MYSTERY SOLVED.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

so DEAR % sighed lady friend, a
coffin containing all that was morta
of a young mother, cut off in the ver.
prime of womanlrood, was borne fron
the door of the opposite dwelling, " thi
does seem hard; cannot understand
it. Look at those three fair youn:
children their faces pressed agains
the chamber windows. All, how littl,
do they comprehend the meaning o
the word motherless! \ shadow is OF
their dwelling soon, very soon, will il
1all coldly and gloomily upon theil
hearts. When just at the age most tt
need a mother S care, why is the mother
removed? 1t is a mystery, deep, dark
mystery. l wonder not that the heart
crushed and bleeding under the weight
of such an affliction, should question
the wisdom and bencfcience of so fear
fIl dispcnsation."
. There is no mystery here" we an
sWefed g nothing but just relation be-
tween cause and effect.
q / call it a strange providence, said
the lady, speaking with something of
imPatience in her tone. Why was she
not spared to her children few years
longer? With God are the issues of
life. The Angel of Dissolution chills
no life current with his icy fingers, ex-
ccpt at the bidding of the All-Seeing
and Omnipot2nt.
Without Him, not sparrow falleth
to the ground"
- And ono human life is of more
value than many sparrows," said we,
impressiyely, hoping to suggest to her
1,lo, ~
it entertained for the time being.
d.. q True. true; and yet the arrows of
death are thrown with sort of blind
energy that makes one thing of ma
hgnant spirit, rather than a merciful
God ~
The lady's warm check, half indig-
nant tone, and almost flashing eyes,
eVinced the strength of her feelings.
T''''Gently, gently" We said, laying
hand upon hers. "There is no mys-
terious providence here. 1t was the
mothers own act that removed her from
her children"
"Whatl you do not mean self de-
struction." -
r Not -meditated sclf-destruction.
Yet, had she observed the laws of health,
her children would not, this day, be
motherless."
"She was fragile flower, I know,
and as beautiful as she was delicate
:. "Open the windows, let in the frosty
air upon one of your hot-house plants,
and note the consequence"
It will droop, and wither and die. !"
> g As Mrs. Melbourne did. In either
case the effect depends upon clearly
apparent cause. There is nothing of
mystery involved"
al did not know her intimately. |
only met her once or twice; but l have |
always admired her-always heard her |
spoken of with affection by her friends.
She was beautiful in person. / have
often looked at her as she sat by the |
windows opposite, with one of her fairy
like children in her arms, and thought |
it the most beautiful sight my eyes ever
rested upon. o, it is so sad to think that
her loving arms will never again encir-
Gle them, nor her bosom pillow their
heads. Her husband, it is said, almost
her. Poor man what a !
he has to bear"
/" Ten years ago." said we, after our
fair friends excitement of mind had
little subsided, ga young, beautiful, and
sylph-like creature, dressed in full cos
tune, came down from her room about
nine O'Clock in the evening, and a light
silk scarf thrown across her arm. She
was met at the parlor door by pale
oman, whose shrunken face, large
bright eyes, and huskey voice, told but
TOO plainly that the days which remain
ID to her upon earth were very few.
e So you will go tonight, dear AIDE
aide P she said, in a voice of tender
solicitude. /;
q" Why not, mother ?" was answered.
. promised George I would accompany /:
him, and he has called for me-" II