The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-08-14
The Little One.

The Little Cne.
There is Il dalllenetl chamber in the
house Over tAo windows OF that room
tie thick curtains Swcepdownwmd heavi-
y, and the Sunshine and the daylight arc
excluded Soft voices -lningle in gentle
candenccs there, and sotterf ot-i;:lls across
the covered floor. There are no loud
tones. 10 harsh sound y hush and halo
rest there, ike the sof dropping of :,n an
gels wing. Close pressed to 4 heart
awakened to q new iount Of JOY it never
knew or dreamed Of before, lies Il little
babe. Only tic young mother feels tic
blessing and the responsibility Of :hc pre-
cious boon; and in the sl4ndowy room she
lies and thinks of the littIe Gol-@iit on
hci' bosom Of the world untricd, lie path
tintrod, which lie before thc ported Of life
it has just crossed. Tears OF love and
feeling rain down UPON the litile brow, ais
she thinks in what va i, the world 10
try this pure young spirit, and whose
hand will safest guidci( over tl:at u!i;rod-
den way. The twilight comes, and the
stars shine out, and Il hcnetliction and
prayer sway like heavenly pinions over
the gently piliowcd head OF the new born;
while through the ho,isc new light
shiucs, and manhoOd's brow grows bright
er, and woman's eye grows softer, and
under the rooftrce Of home they rejoice
with exceeding great joy" for 4 little one
is there.
Spring has come, and Tie babe, q bright
and pretty prattlcr now, is out among thc
flowers. ,7be eye Of affection watches
him anxiously, for the lily disputes posses
sion with the rose on that fair check, and
the blue eyes, soft as dcw-laden violet,
is lifted often TO the flr-otf skies, as if it
know its homo was there. Slightly The
little feet patter upon the stairs, swcctly
the little voice sings through the house,
AID the mothers heart mclts with fearful
delight in listening TO it. Out on the turf
the t;ithor lies down in the shade of the
summer sunset, and like child himself
plays with his babe, and clasping his trca-
sure to his manly breast, feels his eye
grow moist with the dew Of affection, and
thanbdulness to God for his glorious gift.
= =
Again there is tall;cncd chamber in
the house. The windows arc more deep
ly shaded the foothills arc soft the voices
arc subducd and sad. The little one is i'll.
Quietly upon his little couch he lies and
suffers. The sweet lips utter no moan;
the gentle features cvincc no pain; and it
seems as though angels soothed him into
silence. Again the twilight comes; again
the stars shine out; hut t!..sssc is no JOY
now in the house, aud the prayers Of
tRTllllsG are tufned TO surplications
for mercy, to pleading at the throne Of
grace to spare TIC loved one yet little
Willie.
Morning dawns, and there is L coffin in
the house. y little narrow box, not two
feet long. Robcd in white, with flowers
among his golden hair, and waxen hands
folded over the heart that is still forever,
lies tho dead babe. How they tell Of
earthly love and the frailty Of earthly
things How they tell Of hollow human
hopes and the mocl>cry Of mortal trust!
In the very room where he was born, they
close the coffin lid and yield him back,
dust to dust .2carth 10 earth, ashes to ashes.
Days and months roll away. Time, the
consoler, l.as laid healing hand upon the
broken hearts Of those who loved the
child, and they have learned The great
lesson The babe was sent to teach. The
tendrils Of the young vine, though faded,
still retain their clinyiny hold upon their
memory and their love; but out i'll the
green graveyard stands q pure White
monument, never forgotten, and never
passed by without L tear, which points It's
pale finger to the blue skies, and whispers,
@Lay up for yourselves treasures in
Heaven"