Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-25
EAToN. RREBLE I9UNTY Q: FEB. h 1858

and trifing acts o af- denial, which to
the more cheerful len, seemed scarce
ly worth noticing 8eee toCiara subjects
of mournful annoy ee.
Three years bad passed, the cloud
which had obsctT his worldly pros
poets had disappeatt and the brothers
were more prospefta than ever.
1t was the bntAaay of the eldest
daughter of Will amden, lovely
gere g,sr 81 aasss ssssSa ;esTst gs4sa
! day.z'.s-.--- - -
| is it not delightful to look at the
children ?" said the fond mother, as
wearied with her e1ertions for the enter
tainment of her young guests, she seat
ed herself by the side of her sister-in-
law, who had been invited to accompany
her own little ones on the occasion.-
''There is so much innocence in their
Joy, it seems to bring it nearer to our
heavenly home when we join them in
their sports. l know no better cure for
the heart ache than to mingle with
group of merry children"
"But do not fears for the future over
disturb your mind while contemplating
their JOY ?" asked Mrs. Henry Camden,
as she stopped to kiss one of the joyful
little ones, who at that moment, ran up
to them for caress.
"True," was the reply, "but who
would instil dread of the future in
their young hearts? Confding in the
love of their heavenly Father, we should
teach them to receive, day by day, their
daily bread rejoicing in the sunshine,
and regarding the storms with humble
gratitude as messengers of their Fathers
love, purifying their souls from earthly
dross. Surely we may rejoice with them,
my dear sister, unchecked by the fear
of evils shrouded in futurity.'
Their conversation was interrupted
by the approach of little Ellen Camden,
Claras youngest daughter, child Of
four years, leading her little cousin,
bright manly little fellow, nearly year
younger.
Look, mamma" exclaimed Ellen,
cousin Henry and 1 have come to sit by
you and aunt Ellen. We are tired now
and want to rest, and have some nice
sugar plums in my pocket and Henry
shall have half"
They seated themselves at their moth
CL IECI, anu dtAo Will
innocent giee, as tl1s.J1 s.J1-s.s<i5sd the'ssSeess
meats, and watched the spots Of the ell
der children.
The two mothers bent over them with
delight; but even then, half defined
fear checked Clara's joy, and she whis-
pered to her sister
''There is one grief that we have new
er yet known dear Ellen. Could we
bear separation from these precious
ones?
'Should our Father call them to him
self, We will endeavor cheerfully to yield
him his own,'' she replied but tear
glistened in her eye she pressed her boy
to her heart, and bestowed an almost
equally .affectionate embrace upon the
little Ellen.
One short week had elapsed since the
birth day party, and the voice of mour-
ming was in the home of Henry Camden.
The loved one, the pet and darling of
the whole house, sweet little Ellen, lay
upon the bed of death.
| Every means had been tried to abate
the raging fever which scorched her life
blood, but it was in vain; no mortal
power could save her. In her delirium
| oLlC SdIlSu upOh pdlCAlS 1OI
comfort and aid, but. alas ! they respond
ed not to the appeal. Overwhelmed
with anguish, even their bodily senses
seemed almost paralysed with grief, and
they appeared incapable of thought or
action.
| It was then that the more exalted
faith and submission of the scarcely less
afflicted aunt shone brightly in the
chamber of death. 1t was her kind
voice which soothed the little sufferer,
her hand which quieted the restlessness
of delirium, upon her bosom the last
sigh was breathed. The little one had
gone home.
Gladly would she have spoken words
of consolation to the bereaved parents.
Gladly would she have led them to turn
from the mournful contemplation of
their own loss, and think of that joyous
little spirit freed from the fetters of
earth and now to be admitted to the
heavenly mansion of light and love-
But she felt that it would be vain. Cla-
ra could but shake her head, AMI relpy
in a voice broken with sobs. "You
know not the feelings of mothers
heart, when the cherished one is taken
from her. May God spare you the af
Fiction! !'
Alas even while she spoke, the trial
came.
A hasty summons from the home of
William Camden called the mother to
the side of her little Henry, who was
violently attacked with symptoms of the
same disorder which had ended the life
of his cousin.
A fear of this had crossed Ellens
mind; for she we'll remembered how To-
vingly the two darlings had sat togeth-
er at their feet, and even then the fear
full disease must have filled the veins of
the little girl.
With a sad heart she took the sweet
boy in her arms, and gazed upon his al
tered countenance but an earnest pray
er for strength was not unanswered.--
Even amid the dark clouds which en-
compassed her, she could see light be-
yond, and her heart was filled with
heavenly peace which earthly Affections
could not take away.