Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-05-19

tather IaySon loohcd uO"u' Aeosc
was looking into his face. There was a
bright, eager, yet subdued expression in
her eyes that struck him; it had often
struck him in the village church. 1t was
as if his words had a wakened an inter-
nal angel, that looked lluttering out be
hind them. Rose had been inchildhood,
one of those thoughtful, listening chill
dren, with whom one seems TO com
munc without words. We spend hours
talking with them, and fancy they have
said many things to US, which, on rehec-
ton, we find have been said only with
their silent ANSWERING eyes. Those who
silently and lhough,fully listen. And SO
it came to pass, that, on account of this
quietly absorbent nature. Rose had
grown 10 her parents hearts with pc
culiar nearness. Eighteen summers had
perfected her beauty. The miracle of
the growth and perfection of a human
body and soul never wakes old; parents
marvel at it in every household, as if a
child had never grown before; and SO
Olivia and Albert looked on their fair
Rose daily with restful and trusting
pride.
At this moment she had laid her hand
on Father Payson's knee. and said earn
Eestly; Ought we 10 pray for sorrow.
then?"
ooh. no, no, mol" interrupted Olivia,
with an instructive shudder.-such a
shudder as a warm. earnest, prosperous
heart always gives as the shadow OF The
grave falls across it,-'don'l say yes!'
81 Go not say we should pray for it,
said Father Payson; "yel the Master
says, Blessed are they that noun. not
Blessed are they that prosper so hea.
ven and earth differ i'll their jpd,nents.
"Ah. maj" said Olivia. 81 am afraid
L have not courage 10 be among ihe
bles; ed''
well. p" said Albert. whom the gray-
iiy of the discussion somewhat disturb
cd, ''let US not borrow trouble time
enough to think of it VIII n il baPpens.-
Come. the dew is falling, let us go in
want TO show father Payson some
peaches that will tempt his Christian
graces to envy. Come, Rose gather up
| here
Rose, in few moments. gathered The
parcels together, and quietly fitted be-
fore them into lhe house.
Now" said Albert, you'll see that
girl will have every thing quierly tackled
away just in the right place. Not
word said. She is born housewife; it's
ia her. as much as i; is in pointer TO
show, game
Rose is my right hand, 4" said Olivia;
81 should be lost without her.
Whenc. comes it, that, jus! on the
verge of the great crisis and affiiciion Of
lie, words are often spoken, thai, TO af-
ter view, seem 10 have had prophetic
meaning? So often do we hear people
saying, "Ah, the very day before l
heard of this or that, We were saying SO
and SOL" Il would seem sometimes as
if the soul felt itself being drawn within
the dark sphere off coming evil, Of which
as yet nothing outward tells. The
thoughts and conversations flow in an
almost prophetic channel, which COM
ing future too well iDterprets.
The evening passed cheerfully with
our friends, notwithstanding the grave
conversation in the arbor. The mourn
ing veil was laid away in a drawer along
with many of lis brilliant companions,
and with it the thoughts it had suggest
ed; and the merry laugh ringing from
the half open psrlor door showed that
Father Payson was no despiser OF the
command to rejoice with them that do
rejoice.
Rose played and sung, the children
danced. and the mirIh was prolonged
ill late hour in the evening
Olivia and Albert were lingering in
the parlor after the departure Of the FAM
ily, busy in shutting windows. setting
back chairs, and attending to all Ihe last
duties Of orderly householders.
A sudden shrek startled Ihem such
shrek as. once heard. is never forgot
ten. With an answering cry of horror,
they rushed up the stairs. The hall
lamp had been ex-inguished, bat The
passage aud staircase were red with
broad glare fcn he open door Of the
nursery.
A moment mere showed them the dra-
perry of the bed in which their youngest
child was sleeping all in flames then
they saw light form tearing down the
blazing curtains.
.'Oh, Rose! Rose ! take care, for
Gods sake! your dress F! yoa'll kin
yourself! oh, Gcd help US -
There were a few moments-awful
moments of struggle-when none knew
or remembered what they did mo-
ment more and Rose lay painting in her
father arms, enveloPed in thick blan-
ket which be ha6 thrown around her
burning night dress. The fire was ex-
tinguished, the babe lay unwakened,
and only the dark flakes Of tinder scat