Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-06-30
MOTHER Is DYING.
BX LENA LORs.


but darkness-impenelrable darkness
clouGed the earth The wind howIed
aud shrieked; tie rain fell in torrents
around and upon oar little cabin. We
had ali retired TO rest "a, a lale hour-ai
save those who were necessary 10 watch
aroIud the sick.bed cf my mother. For
long iimel could not sleep; they had
told me my mother would soon die, and
in vain did Try to drive away the cruel
lnough',& & bld my heart hope on. My tears
! flowed freely; my sobs cou'd not hush.
At last slept, | dreamed-of what, |
knew not, but my SORROWS were forgotten
when that fearful alarm fell upon my ears.
| A0iher is dying! sounded from room to
room, was echoed from mouth to mouth,
( in such hurried and despairipg tones, that
a sjckening sensalion.-a shudder, almost
oyerpo over me, ss now
recall these words. Years have passed
since that event(ul night; still, young as
was al that time, each object, and every
circumstance, remain as fresh upon my
memory as though they occurred but yes
,erday. 1t was my first real sorrow; and
| | now look back 10 that period of my life,
and date from it all my childhood suffer
inss. Ny mother had, for q very long
time. been aninvslid. Her pale face fee
bic voice. aud sunken eyes, were but a
true index to the fatal disease which had
preyed upon her system. After years
Of slow, but sure, decay, she became, al
last. confined 10 her room. Every care,
every attention, which loving hearts and
hands could bestow, failed 10 bring back
that hue Of health, or restore Joy or glad
ness 10 our home. For a long time
walchnd her confinement with anxious
teyes, and each day sought 10 persuade
my childish heart that my mother was re-
gaining her health. But, alas for all
my hopes; they were soon to be crushed
and blasted forever.
One day (aller listening TO my repeated
questions, if she would soon be well, feel
better, e;c..) she called me close 10 her
bedside, and told me she must soon die
and leave me; and that she could never
hope to be any better, until death ended
her sun,erings and gave her new home
with God in Heaven. The very thought
OF separation from her most loved sem
terror Ia my heart, and still more learinIly
sounded these words from The lips that
never spoke 10 me uTHuly, and had
learned 10 reverence as pure, holy, and
divine. Ii was long time before could
check nv sobs 10 listen TO her words; and
| | now remember each look, each word,as
she gently, yet earnestly, besuught me TO
| become reconciled 10 ibis dispensanon ol
God. Even her genilo voice failed to
soothe my wounded heart; | could no. be-
| come reconciled for one moment. son
| il is cruel, bitter LOT 10 bear = thought !
and now confess felt angry and re-
sen,fuI against God. for this afilcnon.
We were now daily and hourly expecting
the "Messenger Of Death;" but, when
the blow came, we felt ourselves but poor
Ily prepared 10 receive II.
That "death-bed scene who can de-
scribe it. My pen fails 10 give any sde-
qro,e description. Again see that lam
ily called hastily around that dylns-bed;
again do listen to those suppressed sobs
and sgonizing sighs, as each gazed upon
the lace of the dying. The IataI hour
had, indeed. come-no longer could 1t be
deferred. The King Of Terrors' was
al hand. Those farewell psri'ngs-as
each child received silent, but expires
sive adieu; that look of calm. happy re'
sisnation upon the face of the dying as
the last hand " as clssped, the last look
given, and she sank quietly and Peace'niiy
into The arms Of death. No longer were
our sobs checked; no longer could We ois.
lnrb tia, angel form. Oar tears howed
in copious drops over the lnanlmaIe form
Of a noble, loving. and much-loved moth
er. All was over with her. The s'rGg-
gle of lie had passed; the troubles, cares
and miseries Of this life, she had left for
ever, and gone to better wosld-to an
immortal home prepared for her above.
Yes, well may you weep, mo'herless
children, over the lifeless form OF devo-
,ed mother. That loved voice is hushed
in death; that responsive heart beats no
more: those ewes, which ever beamed
with love and sympathy for you' are clos
ed forever; and that face of aDgel goodness
and heavenly beauty is now cold as clay.
No sound of earth can disturb her slum.
ber; no affectiona,e endearmen. bring her
hack 20 life. Her spiri, has flown 10 her
Maker, in worlds of infinite bliss. "eh
may YOU mourn, for yours is loss that
earth cannot 6ll--a gtief that time cannot
heal; but ever.,hrougb. life. will that moth,
er's place be vacant in your homes ano
in your hearts.
Never give way TO melancholy. Jnsl
SO Snre as Won do y M releass ynnr hOlu