The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-07-07
the tears of thankfulness again to claras blue

| eyes.
They moved him to Boston He bore it well
and seemed to gain ground surely though slow
ly. His appetite had become good; and hi
muscular strength came to his aid. He drov,
daily, and little further each day, but hus
banded his strength very carefully for the wed
ding 81 am like David Copperfeld," he said
afraid that shall break nv leg before the
holidays He ventured to receive no visiters
except now and then some one of his poorer
| friends but, as he lay upon his sofa, he looked
| over and over again all the cards with old ia
miliar names upon them, and appeared never
| weary of hearing the messages of kind inquiry
and interest which were left for him, and some
| times scarcely able to control his emotion in
debating his replies to the latter. These tokens
OF remembrance were very many. Death, the
| peace-maker, shelters from prejudice and jeal
ousy those who sit under the shadow of his wings
and pleads for them both with warm enemies
and with cool friends. 1t is we'll when the
tributes of the late remorse brought about by
his mediation, are brought in time TO besiaid
even at the feet of the dying, and not the tomb
of the dead. If we could all but remember, at all
times, that we were dying creatures in dying
world, we should, almost all of us, lead more
forbearing and forgiving lives.
| Herman had set his heart upon seeing all
his friends at his wedding, even if it were only
for few moments. Edward and Clara agreed
with him in this wish. They desired that a
complete reconciliation should take place in
the present high tide of mutual kind feeling be-
tween him and his native city, and that his de-
parture from his country should be dignifed
and becoming one, not looking like flight.
| They decreed him triumph, in their house at
| least.
Thus, in happy, quiet thought and hope, and
sweet domestic intercourse, the wedding-day
drew on 1t came; and Herman had not broken
his leg, nor even lain awake all night On the
contrary, when Clara went into his chamber to
give him his breakfast, he told her that he had
not felt so well before for months; and not even
the news, which Patrick incautiously blurted
out before him, that his favorte old Bay had
been found dead in his stall, could dash his
spirits for an instant.
In order to avoid any unnecessary fatigue,
and perhaps also from little boyish i'm patience,
he dressed for the evening when he first rose,
in the forenoon, and begged leave of his indul-
gent Keepers to go below at once, that he might
see what they were all about. All day long,
while the festive hustle went on through the
house, he lay, still but supremacy happy, as it
was easy to see, on an ottoman in the libra
ry, seeming to find his own thoughts sufficient
company; though Edward, the girls, Sal
~, or the faithful Gummage, looked in upon
him as often as they could, to see that he was
warm enough and wanted nothing. After din
ner, however, he declared that he would not
have all his cake cut by the hired walters, and
made Sally bring in one loaf, and spare time to
slice it before him. with Clara's help in the
good old-fashioned way. In the mean while,
with his own pencil, he directed few boxes of
it to some of his humber friends, and dictated
the names of others to his brother, smiling at
all Ned's jokes, though saying very little him
SELF as if he was still on his guard to reserve
himself for the reception.
At half past seven, the doorbell began to
ring marriage peal, and Patrick-with face
of hearty Irish welcome, and white favor in
his button hole, to ply between it and his black
colleagues at the foot of the stairs and the en-
trance of the trontdrawing room, in which
Clara, in her beautiful bridesmaids costume
having put the last touches to Constance's dress
above-not forgetting the long put off point
lace veil and orange blossoms assisted Edward
to receive their guests.
AT eight, both withdrew. Clara brought the
bride down from her chamber, and Joined her
brothers in the library. Herman rose and stood,
leaning slightly on the arm of Edward, his
groomsman. They took their places silently
side by side. The folding.doors were pushed
back by the attendants little murmur of
sympathy and admiration ran through the com
pany, as they pressed forward and closer to-
gether. Dr. Lovcl advanced, and with all the
feeling which, for the invalid's sake, he dared
not express trembling through his old voice, in
a very few simple and solemn words made Her
man and Constance one.
A chair was then brought for the bride
groom; and he sat, the centre of throng,
while the Young the old, and the middle Gagged,
crowded around him, welcoming him hack, con-
graduating him, praising his bride, or wishing
him happiness, health, and long life to carry
out the upright and patriotic course which he
had begun.
Again his soul ne nierchanged
With friends whose he arts were long esiIanFed e
AS each hand each brow as gay
AS il they parted yesterday;
And doubt dstracis him at the view;
q, were his senses false true ~
And it was no dream, but blessed reality a
reality that Timon might have sneered at, in
deed reality, which, as his own penetration,
taught by hard Experience, showed him, was
insecure, and might be very feeting without
any fault of his; but still reality, which a
generous and forgiving heart like his could
very thoroughly enjoy while it lasted.
Fearing lest he might be INDUCING himself
in it too long for prudence, however, he man
aged to slip out of door behind him in the
his account been ordered very early and had
himself carried in chair, as usual to his own
ROOM Missing him, the girls became anxious !;
and Clara followed him as soon as she could.
He Immediately remanded her to the merry
making, saying that he was resting delightfully."- !;
she might send old Sally to him, if that would
be any relief to her mind but he was doing
very well in fact, he felt quite strangely well
and comfortable.
The company soon dispersed. Constance
found Herman on the sofa before his fire,
basking, as it were, in the light of the broad
faced hunters moon, which, hanging on the
window-sill, shone all over him. He put out
his hand to her fondy, and drew her down to
give him her first kiss, saying, Thank you,
love, for the happiest day Of all my life. Thank
God / have been thinking, as l have been
lying here that scarcely ever formed wish
worth having, which He has not granted me,
sooner or later, and you to crown all-the best
for the last !"
"Dear Herman" said she, I" the moon is
shining directly into your eyes, Does not it
dazzle them ? Shall not | draw down that
shade, and light your lamp?'
"Not on my account. You don't dislike it,
do your"
"N-no-no; except that it makes you look so
pale
"Screen me yourself, then; take your harp,
will you not and sit in the window, so that l
can see the outline of your features, and your
yelled head against it, and sing me to sleep;
sing one of Schubert's songs"
Without consideration, she began the first
air that she remembered, one which had been
a great favorite with him in the FIRST months of
their acquaintance. AS she played the low,
weeping prelude, faint and broken as sobs
bod fbo 40 has
They struck her as ominous, but, unwilling to
disa nnnint him she instin cti unlu and mechan-