The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-08-17
Sun1nq Rrnhiuq,
The Land Beyond the Mountains.

Ae OSy VIM IllC mountains.
The little child was dying. His weary
limbs were racked by pain no more. Th.
flush WAS fading from his thin cheeks,
and the fever that had been for weeks
drying up his blood, was now COOLING
rapidly under the touch of the lev hand
that WAS upon him.
There were sounds and tokens Of Bit
ter but suppressed grief in that dim
chamber, for the dying boy was one very
dear to many hearts.
1ney knew that he was departing, and
the thought was hard to bear but they
tired to command their feelings that they
might not disturb the last moments Of
their darling.
The father and mother, and the kind
physician stood beside dear Eddv's bed,
and watched his heavy breathing. He
had been silent for some time. and ap
Peared to sleep. They thought it might
be thus that he would pass away but
suddenly bis blue eyes opened wide and
clear. and a beautiful smile broke over
his features. lie looked upward and for
ward first, then turning his eyes unon his
mothers face-said in a sweet voice -
Mother, what is the name Of the beauli
ful country that see beyond the noun
tains-the high mountains =
L cat see nothing, my child,' said the
mother, there are no mountains in SIGHT
Of our house.
Look there, dear mo,hcr,' said the
child, pointing upwards, yondcr are the
mountains. Can you see them now 2 he
asked in tones of the greatest astoni,h
ment, as his mother shook her head.
They are near me now-sO LARGE and
high, and behind them the country looks
so beautiful, and the people are so happv
there are no sick chj'dren there. Papa.
can you no, see beyond The mountains !
Tell me the name Of that land
The parents glanced ut each other, and
with united voices rrpl,ed, The land YOU
see is heaven, is it not my child y
Yes. it is hea, though, that must
be It's name. O, let me eo-but how
shall | cross those mountains Father,
will yop not carry me? O, take me in
your arms and carry me, for they call
me from the other side, and muSt 90
There was not dry eye in that cham
Der, and upon every heart there fell a
solemn awe, As if the curtain which con.
! "~'',~N - -';.~' =. ...-"~ oI.~... a. L .
Withdrawn.
MY son. said the father, will YOU sta,
with us little while longer? You shal
cross the mountains soon, but in slroKpe,
arms than mine. Wait-stay with YOU
mother little longer; see how she weep.
a, rh" thought of loosing YOU
90, mo;her--O. father,>do not crv, bu
come with me, and cross the mountains
. come " And thus he entreateG with =
strength and earnestness which as,onish
ed all.
The chamber was filed with wonder
ing and awe stricken friends. At length
he turned to his mother, with face
beaming with rapturous delight, aud
stretching out his little arms for a las
embrace, he cried, Good by, mother,
am going but don't YOU be afraid-th,
strong man has come to carry me owe
the mountains
These were his parting words upor
his mothers breast he breathed his last
and tney laid the fair baby down agair
upon the pillows, and closed The lids owe
the beautiful blue eyes, over which th,
mists of death had gathered heavily, anC
bowing by the bedside, they prayed will
submissive, but bleeding hearts, and said
The Lord gave, ard the Lord taketl
away blessed be the name Of the Lord