The new era., 1860-03-29
Little Chloe.
: From an open p. letter | read !.

FROM AN open ietter reao -
njuoc" Aunt HI Is dead .'sap esi'e7 {
-" "myvoeai response. with aesigh Of relief, is
1ssGons home, nj last, 10 her deafiittle ChIoei'
Forty years had they been parted
along time, and yet how brief! For
ty years since she sat on that dreadfu
night, in the long, gloomy kitchen before
the huge Fireplace, that sent out its rec
light upon her stricken family group
In one corner, by the fire, his face shad-
ed from the flame, sat her husband, no!
her irst love- eyrocking gently the cradle
that held Little Chioe--the first born of
their four little daughters, now in hcr
seventh year-ste, the mother, sat nea:
by, lulling to slumber, Rosa, the baby.
an infant of few months. Agkind
neighbor stood by the bed watching
the fitfnl tossings tola and fro, of Mar;
and Addy, the one in her fifth. the other
in her third year. Three days ago,
these little ones were in perfect health.
An epidemic appeared suddenly in the
vicinity. and sickness, for the first time,
laidits cruelhand upon the little children
Of Aunt Fl .---- ol .eogn. 1@s seaaa 4
Little Chloe, who had been first at
tackled, was now the seyerest sufferer
She had been promising and singular
child. She bore the name Of her grand
mother, and seemed to inherit her
womanly, thoughtful ways, along with
her fathers vivacity and sprigh;liness
She was the pet Of the household she
was the idol of her mothers worshiping
heart. And now, from rosy, joyous
health, after paroxysms Of cruel suffer-
ing, she lie PROSTATE and almost insensi-
bic at the very gate Of death ! The
other little darlings were mourned over,
but it was for Ch oe, the first-born, that
the fathers tears flowed silently, and
the mothers heart knelt constantly, il
agonizing prayer.
The doctor had left at dark. To the
mothers inquiry, "What do you think
of Chloe ," he replied, 80, she will be
better in the morning" and went out
wondering how that mother could be SO
calm, when to his eye, it was so plain
that the little ones life Journey was al
most finished. Therefore had he an
swered, "she will be better in the morn
ing"--and to himself had added, " for
is not the angel-life better than the
earth-life :" He had thought that
mother calm, but those who have seen
the life of a beloved child fade out into
the mystery Of Death, will recognize in
that strange calmness, the approach Of
that stupor Of grief that for loug time
yields little to outward manifestations
The high, old-fashioned clock in the
corner counted away the weary mo-
ments-the sighs and the means Of the
two upon the bed were overcome with
slumber--the freight cast spectra
shadows upon the wall. and each sad
dened watcher was fearing. hoping
praying. Suddenly little Chloe. who
had not spoken for hours. out-fung hel
pallid arms, and said. "Papa, il ! die
you won't bury me up in the ground
will you 7"
"No, darling. no."
The mother few to her child.
"Chloe. dear little Chloe. do yor
know me 20 .-s
At first the child looked up wonder
ingly, and then said, " Mamma shall
they bury up little Chloe in the ground''
Little Chloe must iivc-she mus
not die and leave poor mamma" said ths
mother, still calm and fearless, and des
perately hoping. imnag .e13ga aaI
Again there was silence, and Chloe
seemed to sleep--a brief space only
Arousing, she requested her father te
hold her in his arms. and sing to her a,
had been often his custom. This he did
and after listening to one Of his " pret.
ty hymns as she termed it. she said
'tnow kiss little Chloe--and dea
mamma remember. you will not let then
bury me up in the ground n-now la,
me in the cradle again and 0 papa
do not let them take me out Of it,"
The father and mother q received
momsntary hopes-surely their chil'
was brighter. better. Alas. but mo
mentary,! Again came that Plaintiy'
crysfrom the cradle. more feebly. still
earnestly, 80 do net let them bury M
in the ground. - 7saiaem aa'
Thesa ware her last words A hel