Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-10-22
THE LITTLE ONE.

LII LII L LIZ O4NGs
There is a darkened chamber in the
house. Over the windows of that room
the thick curtains sweep downward heav-
lily and the sunshine and the daylight are
excluded. Soft voices mingle in gentle
cadences there, and softer footballs across
the covered floor. There are no loud tones,
no harsh sound. A hush and halo rest
there like the soft dropping of an angels
wing. Close pressed to heart awak-
ened to a new fount of Joy it never knew
or dreamed of before, lies little babe.
Only the mother feels the blessing and
the responsibility of the precious boon ;;
in the shadowy room she lies and thinks
of the little God-git on her bosom : of
the world untried, the path untrod,
which lies before the portal of life it has
just crossed. Tears of love and feeling
rain down upon the little brow, She thinks
in what way is the world to try this pure
young spirit, and whose hand will safest
guide it over the untrodden way J The
twilight comes, and the stars shine out,
and benediction and prayer sway like
heavenly pinions over the gently pillowed
head of the new born while through the
house a new light shines, and manhood's
brow grows brighter, and woman's eye
grows softer, and under the roof-tree of
home they rejoice with exceeding great
Joy, for little one is there.
Spring has come, and the babe, a bright
and pretty prattler now, is out among the
many flowers. The eye of affection
watches him anxiously, for the lily dis
putes possession with the rose on the fair
cheek, and the blue eye, soft as dew
laden violet, is lifted often to the far-of
skies, as if il knew its home was there
; Slightly the little feet patter upon the
stairs, sweetly the little voice sings thro
the house, and the mothers heart melt;
in fearful delight in listening to it. Gu
on the turf the father lies down in the
shade of the summer sunset, and like {
child himself plays with his babe, anC
clasping his treasure to his manly breast
feels his eye grow dim with the dew 0
( affection and thankfulness to God for hi
! glorious gift.
Again there is a darkened chamber il
the house. The windows are more deep
ly shaded: the foot falls are soft th
voices are subdued. The little one is il
Quietly upon his little couch he lies an
) suffers. The sweet lips utter no moan
the gentle features evinee no pain an
it seems as though angels soothed him il
to silence. Again the twilight comes
again the stars shine out ; but there is n
Joy now in the house, and the prayers {
: thanksgiving are turned to supplicatior
=. for mercy, to pleading at the throne
- grace to spare the loved one yet a lit
while.
20 Morning dawns, and there is a cofi
49, in the house. A little narrow box, n
n two feet long Robed in white, wit
ID blooming flowers among his golden hal
~ and waxen hands folded over the hea
a that is still forever, lies the dead bab
"A o, the hot tears that fall down upon Il
,is flowers and golden hairi How they tell
ts earthly things How they tell of hollc
IL human hopes and the mockery of mort
10 trust. In the room where he was boz
is they closed the cofin-lid and yield hi
he back, dust to dust, earth TO earth, ash
d to ashes.
las Days and months rolled away. Til
ng the consoler, has laid a healing hand I
ed on the broken hearts of those who low
he the child, and they have learned
,ad great lesson the babe was sent to teat
rn- The tendrils of the young vine, thou
inc faded, still retain their clinging hold up
Mt their love but in the green graveya
rm stands pure white monument, ne'
W forgotten, and never passed by with'
y
er- a tear, which points its pale finger to
rms blue skies, and whispers Lay up
=. yourselves treasures in Heaven