The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-12-20

Edw ard was in the case, though he would
stand rubbing his spectacles half an h ur
longer than common. when Aunt Bctsey
was detailing his witicsms and clever do
ings. But in progress of time our hero
compassod his third year and arrived at
the dignity of Going to schoo'. lie went
illustriously through the spelling book, at
tackled the catcchism, went from "man's
chief end" to the Commandments" in a
fortnight, and at last came home inordina
rily merry, to tell his father he had get to
"Amen." After this he made regular
business of saying over the whole every
Sunday evening, standing with his hands
folded in front, and his check apron
smoothed down, occasionally giving Il
glance over his shoulder to sce if papa was
attending. Being Of Il very bene ocnt
turn of mind, he made several efforts 10
teach Rose the catechism, in which he sue
ceeacd ss well as could be expected In
short, without further detail, Master Ed
ward bado fair to become literary Won
der. Bug alas. for poor iiltIc Edward, his
merrF dance wa soon over. n day ,amo
when he sckencd. Aunt Betsy uicd
all her herbarium, but in vain; he grow
rapidly worse and worse. His father sick.
encd in heart, but said nothing; he staid
by his bedside day and night, trying all
means 70 save with affecting pcrinaci;y.
"C ut YOU think of anything more, doc
tor" said he to the physician, who" eve
ryrhing had been tried in vain. "Noth-
M answered the physician. a slight
conyulsIon passed over my unclcs tace.-.-
Then the Lords will be done" said he.
Just at that moment iay of the. setting
sun pierced the check curtains, and CLEAN
cd like IN angels smile across the face of
the little sufferer. lie awoke from dis
Yrbed sleep. ooh dear, o | am so sick y
be gasped feebly His father raised him
on his arms; he brcathcd easier, and look
ed up with grateful smile.
Just then his old playmate, the cat,
crossed the floor. "There goes pussy"
id he, "Oh dear, shall never play with
pussy any more At that moment
deadly change passed over his face, lie
looked up to his father with an imploring
expression an put out his hands. There
was one moment of agony, and the sweet
features settled with smile Of peace, and
mortality was swallowed up in life. My
uncle land him down, and looked one mo.
mont upon hi- beoutiful facc-it was 100
much for his pride, and he lifted up his
voice and wept.
The next morning was the Sabbath, the
funeral day, and it rose with breath all in
al oil Il
Abel was calm and collected AS ever; but
in his face there WAS n sorrow stricken ex-
preston that could not be mistaken. re
member him at family pray rs, bending
over the family Bile, and begin ING the
psalm, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling
place in all generations" Apparently he
was touched by the melancholy and spen
dor Of the poetry for after reading few
verses he stopped. There was dead 81.
lence, interrupted only by The tick of the
clock. He cleared his voice repeatedly,
aud tried to 60 on, but in vain.
lie closed the book and knelt in prayer
The energy of sorrow broke through lis
formal reverence. and his language Il wed
forth with deep and sorrowiul paIhos,
which have never forgotten. The God
SO much roYer, need, 50 much feared, seen.
cd to draw aegr him IS friend AMI co'n
fUr,cr, 10 his refuge and strength - very
pleasant help IN time Of iroubi..' Nv IN.
Gle arose-I saw him walk towards the
room of the departed ore--L followed and
stood with him over lhc dead lie uncoy
orei his face. Ii WAS set with the seal of
death, but oh, how surprisingly lovely was
the expression The Drilliancy Of life was
cone but the face was touched with the
mysterious, Triumphant brightness which
seems like the dawning Of heaven. Ny
uncle looked long and stead Iy. He felt
the beauty OF what he gaz upon; his
heart was soiened, but he la no words
for hi, feelings. Iis left the room uncon
sciously, and stood at tie front door. The
bells were ringing for church; the morning
was bright and he birds were singing mer.
rily, and the little pet squirrel of httlo Ed
ward was frolicking about the door.
Nv uncle watched him Is he run, first
upon one tree then another, then over the
fence whisklng hs brush and chattering rs
if nothing was The matter, With n deep
sigh uncle Abel broke forth, show happy
that creature is! well, the Lords will be
DONE That day the dust was committtd
to the dust amid the Ian ana.ions who had
known little Edward. Years have passed
since then, and my uncle mas .ons been
gathered to his fathers, but la, Just and
upright spirit has entered he liberty Of the
-,us ,f t,.l fps tha ,s,,l man mac