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

he suffered. Many ofihc brightest vir
tues are like stars there must be nigh
or they cannot shine. Without suffering
there could be no fortitude, no patience
no compassion, no sympathy. Take al
sorrow ont oflife, and you take away al
richness and depth and tenderness. Sor
row is the furnace that mclts selfish heart
together in love- Many arc hard and in
considerate, not because they lack capa
bility Of feeling, but because the vase thai
holds the sweet waters has never been
broken" Is ..'..' '' ''.. - D.
"Is il, then, an imperfection and mis-.
fortune never to have suffered q said
Olivia. ...... ...., .n ryni ..gr.l.,
Father Payson looked down. Rose
was looking into his face. There was a
bright, eager, vet subdued expression in
her eyes that struck him; it had often
struck him before in the village church
It was ms il his words had awakened an
internal angel, that looked futtering out
behind them. Rose had been from child.
hood one Of those thoughtful, listening
children with whom one seems to com.
mnnc without words. We spend hours
talking with them, and fancy they have
said many things to us, which, on reaec-
ton, we find have been said only with
their silent answering eyes. Those who
talk much often reply to you less than
those who silently and thoughtfully listen,
And so It came to pass, that, on account
Of this quietly absorbent nature, Rose had
grown to her parents hearts with q pc
culiar nearness. Eighteen summers had
perfected her beauty. The miracle OF
the growth and perfection of human
body and soul never wakes old; parents
marvel at it in every household as il a
child had never grown before; and so
Olivia and Albert looked on their fair Rose
daily with restfll and trusting pride.
At this moment she laid her hand on
Father Payson's knee, and said earnestly,
-sOught We to pray for sorrow, thenf'
"Oll, 10, no, no" interrupted Olivia,
with an instructive shuddcr, such a
shudder as a warm, earnest, prosperous
heart always gives as the shadow of the
grave falls across it,--'tlon't say yes"
: ~ do not say we should pray for it."
said Father Payson; "yetthc Master says,
blessed are they that MOURN not Bless
cd arr they that prosper SO heaven
and earth differ in their Judgements"
"Ah, me-" said Olivia, "I am afraid ]
have not courage to wish TO be among
the blessed" r... rt........... ...
"Well," said Albert, whom the gravity
of the discussion somewhat disturbed, "lct
us no. borrow trouble; time enough TO
think of it when it happens. Come, the
dew is falling, let us go in. ! want 10
show Father Payson some peaches that
will tempt his Christian graces TO envy.
Come, Rose, gather up here
Rose, in few moments, gathered the
parcel together, and quietly fitted before
'thcm'iptG the house.
.Now," said Albert, "you'll see that
girl will have everything quietly tucked
away in just the right place; not word
said. She is n born housewife; it's in
her, as much as it Is in pointer to show
game" .1.l...
"Rosc is my right hand" said Olivia
~ should be lost without her." -..1 r.
Whence comes it, that, just on the
verge of the great crises and aflliciions OF
life, words are often spoken, that, to after
view, seem to have hadaprophetic mean
ing. So often do We hear people say
inc, "Ah, the very day before ! heard OF
this or that, We were saying so and so''
II would seem sometimes as if the soul
felt itself being drawn within the dark
sphere of coming evil, Of which as yet
nothing outward tells. Then the tho'ts
and conversation flow in an almost pro-
phctic channel, which coming future
too well interprcts. ...
The evening passed checrfully with our
friends, Notwithstanding the grave con-
yersa,ion in the arbor. The mourning
veil was laid away in n drawer alongwi,h
many of its brilliant companions, and
with it the thoughts it had suggested
and the merry laugh ringing from the
halfopcn parlor-door showed that Father
Pavson was no dcspiser OF the command
to rejoice with them that do rejoice.
Rose played and sung, the children
danced, and the mirth was prolonged till
a late hour in the evening.
Olivia and Albert were lingering in the
parlo- after the departure Of the family,
busy in shutting windows, setting back
chairs, and attending TO all the last duties
of orlerly houscholdcrs. %
a sudden shrek startled them; such
a shrek rs, once heard, is never forgot
ten. With an answering cry Of horror
they rushed up the stairs. The hal
lamp had been extinguished, but the pas.
SAGE and staircase were red with broad
rlarc from the open door the nursery
A moment more showed them the
drapery of the bed in which their young
est child was sleeping all in flames; then
thcy saw light form tearing down the
blazing curtains. .' = :,
aOh, Rose! Rose take care, for Gods
sake! your dress. you'll kill yourself
oh, God help us"
There were few moments-awtu
l.. I,.,,