The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1858-11-11

| h'Sht' SIG sHdFcu my i"ooi@ @''So's"tio'
or my rest by day.
Before she was four years old, she
read with perfect iluency and ease,
and the sweetest music | have ever
heard was the warbling of that tune.
full voice. Whatever she heard, she
sung at once, without an effort. 1t
seemed as if the essence of her being
was melody and harmony. | used to
shut my eyes and fancy twas a SER
aph's voice.
Such was my companion, my treas
ure, for a few brief years, in rides and
walks, and wanderings on wave and
shore. Her mother seldom ever car.
ed TO accompany US, but Madeleine
and |, we loved the woods, the hills,
the streams, the lake, the clouds and
azure sky, and we sometimes spent
whole days in exploring the beautiful
scenery with which the region aboun-
ded. Sometimes book, or two, fa-
vorlte authors, accompanied US, and
in our light carriage, or under the for
est trees, or upon the wavc-washed
shore Of the shcivy lake, she would
read some little tale suited to her ten
der years, and if it were of sorrow, or
suffering, how soon would the SYM
pathizing voice choke with emotion
and the plying tears gush over that
sweet face, and while clasped the
lovely child to my breast and kissed
away the flowing tears, inwardIy re-
joiced in my sensitive and demonstra-
tive child.
We had been to the fairy grotto, one
bright summer day, u place UNDER
meath the jut>inG rock, where the Wa
tcrs of the lake made a sort of eddy,
and where were found the lovelicst.
little shells and rarcst pebbles of any
where along the coast. Snc had read
me a tale or two, in her most winning
manner. and sung her prctticst songs,
had kissed "papa' again ard again,
with those ever-we'come lips, apply
iny to him, as she did so, her most en-
denring epithots. till wearied with
wandering from one spot to another
had seated myself. at last, upon arock
to rest, and sh2, as was her custom ut
such times, placed herself on my knee
and with one arm over my shoulder
soon fell asleep upon my bosom With
her thus Graded against my heart, |
went down to the boat and making her
bed of an old sail in the shade of an
awning till she should awake, return
ed and sat down near at hand, under
some over, hanging rocks, drew a book
from my pocket and read till | was
tired. Sill she did not wake. 1t was
towards night and stepped into the
boat to 60 home. She lay there, as |
had left her, her soft check framed in
setting Of sunny curIs and resting
on the round white arm, but noticed
that it was tingcd with "a deeper flush
than was usual for its delicate peach
like bloom. bent over her to SEE il
was deceived. Her breathing was
quick and labored, and felt hot as it
famed my bowed face. | could moi
endure the agony of suspense.
"Madcleine' | called, once, twice.
the third time, she weariIy opened hel
eyes and languidly cnqured.'
"What; Papa" and then tried to
raise herself to a sitting posture.
'Oi.I am 50 sick, Papa.'
Whcre, darling" said ], gently tax.
ing her into my arms and laying her
fair head against my heart.
; MY head and stomach, Papa" was
all she could utter.
How got home with her | scarcely
know, but | remember her look OF
grateful affection as quietly laid her
on the cool, white bed in her mother
room. The doctor came just at night
and examined her long and attentive
". followed him as he went out
lie did not wait for my interrogatory
"Poor little lamb' said he" he will
soon be folded in the arms Of the Great
Shepherd
iler disease was malignant scarlet
fever. They had it in the village a
mile distant, but we had no commune
cation with the place, and conse-
quently, ] had no fears Of the iniec-
tion.
The third sunset after, shed its glo.
ries on my darling's grave. o. how
,, much Christening have needed, bow
much severe discipline, to bring me to
my Masters feet.
, My old fits of abstraction and gloom
! returned upon me. Iseemed depreiv-
ed again of all energy and volition
and would sit for hours in the same
! posture, neither hearing or needing