Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-11-17

now tossing restlessly on her bed, and scarce
ly sensible of the words of endearment whis-
pered around her, or the kisses dropt with
tears, in spite of themselves, on her burning
forehead.
Utter poverty often kills the affections but
a Deep constant, and common feeling of this
worlds hardships, and an equal participation
in all those struggles by which thev NAV be
softened, uLite husband aud wife, parent and
child, brothers and sister, in thoughtful aud
subdued tenderness, making them happy in
deed, while the circle round the fire is unbro.
ken, and yet preparing them every day to
bear the separation, when some one or other
is taken slowly or suddenly away Their
souls are not moved by fits and starts, although
indeed nature will sometimes wrestle with ne
cesSity and there is a wise moderation both
in the JOY and the grief of the intelligent poor,
which keep lasting trouble away from their
arthly lot, and prepares them silently and
unconsciousIy for Heaven.
Do you think the child is dying?" said
Gilbert with a calm voice to the surgeon. who
on his wearied horse, had Just arrived from
another sick-bed, over the misty range of
hills and had been looking steadfastly for
some minutes on the little patient The hu-
name man knew the family well in the midst
of whom he was standing, and replied
" While there is life there is hope but nv
pretty little Margaret is, fear, in the last eX-
tremity' There was no loud lamentat0n at
these words ailhad before known, though they
would not confess it to themselves. wha, they
now were told and though the certainty
that was in the words of the skilful man. made
their hearts beat for while with Sicker throb-
bingS, made their pale faces even paler, and
brought out from some eyes q gush of tears ::
vet death had been before in this house. and
in this case he came, as he always does. in
awe, bat not in terror There were wander
ing, and waYerlng and dreamy delrious phan-
tastes in the brain Of the innocent child but
the few words she indstinctly uttered were
affecting, not reHdring to the heart. for il was
plain that she thought herself herding her
sheep in the green silent pastures and sitting
wrapped in her plaid upon the lawn and
sunny side of the Bigk-knOwe She was too
much exhausted-there was too little lfe-too
little breath in her heart, to frame tune
but some Of her words seemed to be from ia.
yorite old SougS and last her mother wept.
aud tarned aside Ter face, when the child.
whose blue eyes were shut and her lips almost
still brea,hed out these lines of the beautiful
twenty-'hird psalm:
The Lords my shepherd; III not waut,
He make lg~l T. lie
In pastures green he le4deth me
The quiet waters by.
The child was now left with none but the
mother by the bedside, forit was said TO be best
50 and Gilbert and his family sat down round
the kitchen fire, for awhile, ,ins silence In about
o quarter Of au hour they began TO rise calmly
and to go each to his allotted work. One Of
the daughters went forth with the pail to milk
the COW, and another began to sgt out the table
in the middle of the floor for supper. covering
il with a whole cloth Gilbert viewed the
usual household arrangements with a solemn
aud ualroabled eye aud there were almost
the faint light Of grateful smile on his cheek
aS he sad 10 the worthy surgeon, " Gou viii
partakc Of our fare after your days trouble ard
toll Of humanity In a short. silent half hour
the potatoes and Catcakes. butter and milk,
were on the board and Gilbert lifted up bis
toi.harlened, bat manly hand, with slow
motion, Al which the room was as LuSLed IS
If il had been empty, closed his ewes in rever-
ence and asked blessing. There was a lit
:
SIDE. 1t had been put there uawitringY, when
the other seats were at placed IN their usual
order but the golden head that was wont TO
rise al that part of the table, was now wait
ing. There was >leHce-not word was said
their Neal was before them-God had been
thanked, and they began to "a.
While they were at their silent meal, a horse
man came gaIioFp.uc TO the dcor. and, with a
loud voice, called ogt that he had been sent
express with letter to Gilbert Aiasle. al the
same time rndely, and with an oath demand
iHg dram for his trouble The eldest son.
lad Of eighteen, f-gcc.y seized the bride Of his
horse and ,araed bis head away from tie door
The rider. somewhat alarmed at the flushed
face Of the powerful STRIPPING, threw down the
letter and rode OF Gilbert took The letter
from Ms sons hand, casting at the same time
. Aa.!-UpJTa-l.uc look on Us face, that was
returning to is former color Il feared. said
the youth. With tear in bis eye. Il feared
that tHe brute'S voice and the ;rampllug of the
horses feet, would have disturbed her" Gil
bert held the letter heSitat.0E.y 10 his hand.
IS il afraid, at the moment 10 read il az
length be said a.oli to the surgeon. = Won ku0v
that ! am poor man. debt. IL Justly incurred
and punctuaiiy paid when tiue. Is 90 diSaoncrH
BOgh his band aud his voice shook slightly as
lie spoke bat He 0peUed The letter from the
LAWYER and read il 10 silence. At this moment
his wife came from his chi.I'S bedside. and 'olh-
ing anyi0aslv AZ her husband. told Lm rot 10
mad abont the money-Ihat no man Hho knew
him would arrest his goods or put hin into
prison though. dear ne. il i cruel 10 be pm:
10 i thus when Our owu BARN Is GylH-, aud
when, if 50 be the LoEi g.li she should have
. decent burial poor inrOceut. Ike them
went before her Gilbert continued read
ing the letter with face on which no emo
lion loalG be discovered, aAd 5aea. folding il
gp he gave il 10 bis vile told her SIZE might
read i il she chose, and then put it in BIS d=>k
N the room, beside the poor, dear baisn. She