Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-08-11
Fr,m the n H. Independent Democrat
4 LEAF FROM MY SUNDAY JOURNAL.
BY AUGUSTA COOPER KIxB4LL.
CONCLUDED.

N1ftlaAAee-
expressed much hope that Mrs. Bigelow
would realize her wishes relating to the con
version of her family, and begged her to excuse
me for the remaining part Of the nOon-time, for
there was Mrs. Blake sitting alone at the farther
end of the church. and her benevolent face was
Turing me away like sunbeam 1 thought l
never saw her looking 50 well as she did that
Sabbath, in her plain habit, with such cheer
funess on her face; and when she rose to
greet me, the light in her intelligent eyes
would have made me happy if she had not
spoken a word.
Il am glad you have come" she said in her
usual hearty way. Il should have called to
see you last evening if had not been engaged
with poor Mr. Hall family"
+" Had anything unusual occurred to call you
there :" asked
Little Gabrielle is gone" she replied, the
light in her eyes fading out in moment. The
elder sister came after me at sunset yesterday,
and said she was dying. / went down at once
across the field, and all the way l noticed the
patches Of violets that Gabrielle had hedged
about with little sticks, and built play houses Of
white stone and bits OF crOekery close by them.
The latest violets bloom there, but they were
nearly all whitening and dying, except fresh
handful which found on the last plant, and
which gathered in great haste, thinking per-
haps she would smile TO see them, if l was not
already too late. But perhaps you would pre-
fer not to hear this now," said Mr. Blake,
stopping suddenly and brushing tear from her
eye.
"Oh 90 on, 90 on, replied, and folded
nv hands 70 listen and reflect, for whenever l
heard her talk, always felt like a child leaning
beautiful lessons. So she went on in a sweet
tone with her description.
Gabrielle was alive. when / reached the
bedside, but could not speak. The child knew
me, and smiled family at the violets, when
put them on her breast. She had been talking
shOt time before, about Jesus and the angels,
and had sung that plaintive simple hymn that
her teacher had learned her, commencing with
Dear Savior, if these lambs should stray
When it was finished she reached out her small
hands to Ter father and mother, and said: don't
cry for your little Gabrielle; am going to be
80 happy Sister Nellie and Anna will put
rose-tfee by my grave and few violets at my
head and feet and you'll bury me in the maple
grove by the brook Then you'll walk down
there where | am lying every pleasant Sabbath,
and remember your little girl Is singing and
flying in keayenp Here she elasped her arms
around the neck Of each and whispered good
night as smiingly as she ever did when she
went to rest in her own little crib by her moth
er's bedside. She died in a short time after
entered, with the few blossoms l had pulled
grasped tightly in her hand and lying over her
bosom"
when will the funeral take plaeel' 1 asked
after a pause.
"Next Tuesday, at ten o'clock" she re.
piled.
:. Can be Of any service TO the family or to
you before that time T. / inquired.
YES" she answered quickly, her face put
ting on sunny, generous look again. " You
know Mr. Hall is very poor, and we certainly
ought all to lend a willing hand when they are
in such trouble. l had been saving little pieces
of silver for time past, thinking | should pur-
chase a new bonnet; for believe this is get
ting somewhat ancient she said laughingly,
and pointed to the faded article on her head
had not noticed before that her bonnet was
getting worn OF out of style How could / OBJ
serve so trivial n thing when w-s looking at
her eyes all the time and reading her good heart
through them. ''Wel," she continued II have
decided not TO get the new bonnet this season,
and have purchased pretty piece of muslin
instead, for Gabrielles r0be. Mrs Hall would
not consent to let me do it, until / told her
great many times how much happier should
be for such privilege. And then she kissed
my hand, and wept on my shoulder cOnvulsiye-
", that hardly knew what / said to comfort
her Now / wish you to come over to our
house tomorrow afternoon and we will make
the little white dress up tastsfully, and Tuesday
morning we will braid wreath Of the flowers
she loved best, and put 1t in her hair and she
shall be laid out as beautifully in her coffin as
a child of the wealthieSt."
have glad consent TO her arrangements,
and believe .if had heart as sordid as a mi
sers, it would always feel glow Of generosity
when in Mrs. Blake's presence.
81 want you TO practice and sing The dying
child with the choir" she said, at will be so
appropriate at the funeral; and Mrs Hall beg
ged me to ask you to compose piece Of poetry
upon the death Ofthe child, and send it to the
Journal"
assured her it would make me happy to grant
the request, and if there was any other way in
which / could be Of aHy assistance / should be
glad 10 render service.
After a short silence / inquired after Mrs.
Biake's children; and learned that Fanny the
eldest had become a school teacher, and loved
her new occupation so much that she had en-
gagged for two terms III advance. Jane, the
younger sister, was growing quite expert with
the needle and very useful In assisting her
mother George, the only son tended the gar
den and cOnned his lessons daily with much in
terest / thought as listened that surely hap
piness alone IS found in the paths Of useful
ness
''Oh had nearly forgotten" said my com
psniOn, drawing a piece Of paper from her
pocket, ''tO ask you TO join our sewing circle
We are getting one up for few weeks for
new purpose. You remember poor family by
the name Of BOothe, who live nearly a mile
distant from the village" 7"
nodded assent
fThere are seven children the Oldest is but
twelve, and the youngest a babe of three
months. Mrs. Boothe is very feeble, and the
wages Of her husband are not sufficient to af-
ford them the comforts and scarcely the ne
cessaries OF life. The profits of our circle will
be spent in getting and making some clothes
for the family, and in procuring a few comforts
for Mrs. BOOthe. / heard she was sick, so
walked out TO see her; and / was surprised
and gTieved b see how destitute and sad they
were. / came back again. determined to do
something for them ifPossible. went through
the village with this piece Of paper and told
the story of their want You can see how well
! have succeeded, for have the names Of near
/ ly all the ladies, on my list"
~ do not see Mrs. BigelOw's name" said,
| glancing over the paper. Mrs. Blake only
smiled, and replied, "MTs. BigelOw has peculiar
notions of her own; and We all have l sup
pose" she added
when is your first meetingl"
"Next Thursday at my house; don't fail to
come How happy I shall be to see Mrs.
/ Boothe smile again as she used to when we