The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-06


, thoughts would ;not soar above the bresl
, ing hoart beside me. Iwanted to comior
|, her-I wanted TO tell her to love me, I
pray for oonsolation-I wanted 70 tell he
how, in my hour Of darkness. had f0un'
lisht-hOw in my writhing agony, I ha
found rest in my Saviour, but I could no.
At last tho door opened, and felt the ligh
from o candle. Il was my mothers voic
I heard saying
"You here, my child?" and I knew tha
her arm was around the mourner. l heart
from Lily's bursting heart the e1claua,
ton
"Oh had he bu. loved mel"
Iheard them talk together Of me, heard
my mother tell fmy long devotions to her
and then the sobs camo quicker and more
softly. Then my mother pointed her to the
light beyond this darkncss-tbe dark cloud
brightly edged. She told of her own agony
in the morning and hsw, in the stiffness
Of her closet. she had been wonderously com.
forted how she had been assured that the
child OF so many prayers could not DO los,
she was comfortcd by the unchanging
God. Every now and then she would hush
the quick sobs, q, If she were dealing with q
little chill.
"Therc now, my own child, my littlo Lily
don't cry any moro! We will meet our
Willie in heaven. We must not murmur q,
our Fathers chastisement. He has taken
our idol, in order to draw onr rebillious
hearts to himself. Not one word Of reproach
was uttercd-nothing which could wound ;
and presently the sobs ceased, and gently
putting her arms around her, my mother
led her from tho room.
Then came the servants bringing candles
the watchers, who were old companions Of
my own. and between their visit and my
reflections the long night passed not unhap-
PLY.
My funeral was to take place the next
day I took the most intense interest in all
that concerned it. I knew the time was
drawing near. heard them set something
down upon the bcd-it was my coffin. l
felt my self lifted and lain in 1t. remember
that my arms had to be pressed close in order
that might lie within its too narrow lin
it's; I remember the painfully cramped
feeling this gave me. / was then carried in
to the parlors. l heard the thick, deep
sobs, through the two rooms. heard the
tremulous hymn, sometimes ceasing from
emotion, and then taken up again. heard
the solemn voice Of the minister say "Man
that is born ofwoman is Of few days and
full of trouble" l heard my own funeral
sermon, and then the solemn, eloquent sup
plication to throne Of grace for tho bcrcav-
ed and tho words, 4" The services will be
concluded at the grave" l felt the shcc,
lifted from my face, and knew that there
were many loving eyes fixed upon me; more
than one kindly tear fell upon my face
I made desperate effort to open my eyer
and, reader, succeeded IL have an
indistinct recollection Of shrieks, and the
mingling ofmany voices, and sunk into u
state of inscnsibility. When l uwoke, ]
was in my own room, and the pale, anxious
faces Off my mother, my father, aud Lily
were bending over me. They looked wear
led and worn, and I knew that they had
suffered. Those weeks spent in bed were
the happicst ofmy life; my gratitude, my
love to God were unboundcd, and felt that
lifetime Of service would but fecbly testify
my change of purpose and feeling. I was
at last able to sit up, and day after day was
my Lily's sweet face BESIDE me. Oh 80
well do remember one day, when alone
with her, called the blush to her chesk by
an allusion to the scene in that very room ;
and asked her If she would indeed be my lit
tie Lily. There was no answer at first, but
soon the little Bible beside her was opened /,
and the shining needle pointed me to what
l read " Whittier thou gocst. Twill 80
and where thou lodssst l will lodge; thy
people shall be my people, and thy God my
God. Where thou diest, will | die, and
there will l be buried the Lord do 80 tc
me, and moro also, taught but death part
thee and me-"
This was our betrothal, our marriage
was soon after; and we have trodden tn,
path Of life side ~ side. Nor is the little
neat looking old lady, with well crlmpet
cap and loving eye, less lovely and beloved
to me than the Lily that bloOmed in youth
full beauty 50 many years.