Litchfield enquirer., 1857-03-26
EDWARD c. GOODWIN, Editor and Publisher.
.Fom Chambers Edinburgh Journal. When the Summer Genes.

l
 years old one of those bright creatures whose fair loveliuess seems almost more of heaven than of earth--eyen it passing glimpse stir ring our hearts, and filling them with purer and
 hol:er thoughts But this, the little Francie,
 was more of a chcrub than an angei--as we
 picture them-with his gladsome hazel eyes,
 his dazzling fairness, his clustering golden hair
 and his almost winged step Such he was, at 1 least, until sickness laid it heavy hand Rpon him then, indeed when after days of burning, wasting fever1heurs of weary restlessress.-the 1 little hand at last lay motionless outside the. scarcely winter coverlet of his tiny bed, the fair still head pressed down upon the pillow, and the pale face gazing with the silent won- der of returning consciousness on the anxious ones around it then, indeed bright, yet pity l ing look would fit across it, or dwell in the anxious tyes-a look such as we ass ign to an- l gels in our dreams, when some fond fancy seems to bring them near to us, weeping for mortal griefs beyond their remedy.
 It was strange sickness for one so young the struggle oftyphus fever with baby frame ; but life and youth obtained the victory and quicker even than hope could venture to ex pect, the pulses rallied, the cheeks grew round and rosy, and the little limbs filled up again. Health was restored-health, but not strength :; we thought this for a while. We did not won der that the weak limbs refused their office, and still we waited on in hope until days, and even weeks passed by then it was found that the complaint had left its bitter sting, and little Francie could not walk step, or even stand. Many and tedious and painful were the rem edes resorted to yet the brave little heart bore stoutly up, with that wonderful fortitude, almost hcroism, which all who have watched by suffering childhood, when the tractable spr it bends to it's early discipline, must, at some time or other, have remarked. Francie's forti- tude might have afforded an example to many !; but a dearcr lesson was given in tho hopeful spirit with which the little fellow himself noted the effect of each distressing remedy, marking each stage of progress, and showing off with eager gladncss each step attained, from the first creeping on the hands and knees, to the tiptoe journey round the room, holding on by chairs and tables then to the clinging of some lov- ing hand and then, at last, the graceful bal ancing of his light body, until he stood quite erect alone, and so moved slowly on.
 It was in Autumn this illness seized on the little one just when the leaves were turning, and the orchard fruits becoming ripe His nurse attributed it all to his sitting on grassy bank | at play on ouc of those uncertain autumn days 1 but he in his childish way, always maintained, It was Francie hmSef-eating red berries in l the holly bower" However this may have been, the season and the time seemed indeiibly i'm pressed upon his mind. In all his long col linenent to the house, his thoughts continually turned to outward objects, to the eternal face of nature and the season's change, aud ever more his little word of hope was this When the Summtr comes."
 He kept it up throughout tho long winter, and the bleak cold spring. A fairy little car riage had been provided for him, in which, we'll wrapped up from the cold, and resting on. soft cushions, he was lightly drawn along by a servant, to his own great delight, and the ad- l miration of many young behoider. But when any one-attempting the better to reconcile him to his postion--expatiated on the beauty or comfort of his new acquisition, his eager look and word would show how far he went beyond it, as quickly interrupting, he would exclaim, "Wait till thc summer comes--then Francie will walk again !"
 During the winter there was fearful storm :; it shook the windows, moaned in the old trees, and howled down the chimneys with most u,enacing voice. Older hearts than Francis's quailed that night, aud he, unable to sleep lay listening to it all--quiet, but asking many a question, as his excited fancy formed simii- tudes to the sounds One time it was poor little children cruelty turned out and wailing :: then something trif'ng, with it's last hosrse l cry then wolves and bears, from far of other lands But all the while Francie knew ne was safe and snug himself; no fears disturbed him whatever the noise may have been Through out the whole of it he carried his one stcadfast hope, and in the morning telling of it all, with all his marvellous thoughts, he finished his re- lation with the never failing word of comfort
 "Ah there shall be no loud wind, no waking nights, when once the summer comes "
 The summer came with its glad birds and flowers, its baImy air and who can paint the exquisite delight of the suffering child that had
 waited for it so long? Living almost contIr-
 ually in the open air, he seemed to expect fresh health and strength from each reviving breath he drew, and every day would deem himself capable of some greater effort, as if to prove that his expectation had not been in vain. 1 Que lovely day he and his little playfeilows were ia group amusing themselves ln part of the garden. when some friends passed through. Francie, longing te show how much he could do, entreated hard to be taken with l them along the walk jusS to tue hoiiy oo"
 er" His request was granted and on he did
 walk quick at first, then slowly, slower but stilpupheld by his strong faith in the sum- ,ner's genial influence. he would not rest in any
 of the offered arms, though the itful color
 went and came, and the spasms grew more and
 more frequent. No, with heavy sigh he ad-
 mitted. "'Tis 8 very long walk no,o but
 trapcie must not be tired sure the summer has come" And so, determined not to admit fatigue in the face of the seasons bright proofs around him, hc succeeded in accomplishing his Little task at last,