Washington telegraph., 1858-08-25
IWish You Were Dead.

thoughtless words, uttered in a thought
less manner; but no sooner spoken thai
regretted. \ bright-eyed child OF ST,
summers, whose countenance was the eln
blem of innocence and beauty, had beer
pleading In low, soft tone for the mothe
to remain at home. 1t was weary ane
sick, and longca -aradled in the arm
cf- -l-szs|i - - .7.s-..- .-lA-aT
woman Of fashiois,i " tf5aJed in her silker
robes, and with jewels glittering on hei
arms aud neck, and impatient to display
the same, had only brushed it aside with
"Such torment You plague me tc
death ~ and those never-to-be forgotten
words:
81 wish you were dead!"
The little eyes, which n moment before
had been kindled with hope, dropped and
fell. No cry was heard but when again
they raised, with a sad, despairing glance
at the form Of the departing mother, the
pearly drops were glistening beneath
the tender lashcs, and triekling down the
pallid checks. And while she who had
pronounced those unintentional harsh
words, and who already experienced the
keenest self-reproaches for the course she
had pursued, was being rapidly whirled
away to scene of unriyalled splendor,
the little sufferer had allowed itself ID be
undressed and placed upon the lonely
couch, where it lay down to fulfil its
mothers unmcant wish-to die
1t was late, very late that night, when
the giddy devotee of the folly aud show Of
life returned to her princely home rs
the carriage drove up to the door, she per-
cciyed lights passing to and fro before the
windows. With terrible forebodings, and
without stopping to bid adieu to :he
friends who Iad been her companions of
the evening, sprang out Of the coach on
the walk, and hastily ascendcd the marble
steps, few by the servants she dared not
question, and soon entered the room
where lay what was, after all her darling
Eddie.
Her husband and the physician stood
beside the bed. The former glanced rc-
at her as, with a frantic move
ment, she came up beside him and leaned
over. But she saw him not. Her eyes
were bent gpon ihe little form stretched
upon the little couch, which, in its uncon-
scious delirium exclaimed
s.No, no ma, you don't mean that, Az
YOU You don't want Eddie to die.'
a. No, darling, no oh, God, forbid :"
she cried, in bitter anguish, as, throwing
off her gilded trappings, she knelt down
and pressed her lips to those Of the little
sufferer.
'.Nust | die, ma 4? Must 20 aud leave
YOU Z" pursued the child in agony.
''No, dear, dear Eddie" she could not
desist saying. Il should be mad If You
left me. Oh in PITY" she cried, turning
to the man Of science, ''tcll ms is he dan
gerous."
\ gloomy shake of the head was the
only reply. The fever had fastened on
the very vitals.
"Oh heaven, have mercy" she groan-
ed in terrible anguish, as to her conscious
stricken mind came back those fearful
words she had uttered 50 lightly awhile
before, and felt that they were about to be
realized-''I wish you we're dead"
''lou dou't want me to be laid in the
cold, damp ground, and never see you
again, do you ina p continued the deliri-
Gus child, after n slight pause, during
which potion of medicine, just admins
tered, had been struggling to take effect
-''and never look at the green grass or
bright sunshine any more you don't want
to take these from me, dd'you una p
"No. no. Oh, Eddie dear Eddie -
almost shriekcd the unhappy mother,
"look up do you not know me, Eddie N
she asked, in as calm and soothing n tone
as she could assume.
For a moment the eyes, with their wild,
appealing glance, opened, and turned upon
the parent whose cruel vords-so cruel
to the loving ehild-now so tortured its
disordered thoughts; then. with sign Of
recognition, closed again murmuriDg-
ooh, ma! | am. so tired and sick
Don't go away; want to lay down IN
your lap and rest" Then, again, that
heart-rending appeal. "You do not want
Eddie to die-do you map
"Oh, my child! cried the agonizcd
mother; "my heart will break. Eddie,
Eddie g' she repeated frantically.
Again those little orbs opened, and this
time a smile played around his sweet lips.
"Mo,her," was faintly murmured; the
little hands tried to move; there slight
struggle gasp-then all was still. The
spirit of little Eddie had passed away.
Over the scene that followed, We droT
the veil. The sanctity of grief precludcs
description. Suffice it to say, that in long
after years that mother never forgot that
terrible lesson she had learned. She be
came changed woman, and when tempt
ed to resume the hcartless course she haC
forsaken, to neglect her children, OF repeat
harsh expressions, her thoughts invariably
wandered to the little form which slep
beneath the yew trees shade, and she wa,
saved.