The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-02-20
THE CHILD IN THE GRAVE
sY HANS cHs,sTlss ASDERsoN.

There was sorrow in :he honse--there
was sorrow in the heart for the youngest
child, a little boy of Tour years of age, the
only son, his parents present JOY and iu-
,ure hope, was dead. Two daughters they
had. indeed, older than their boy-the old
es. was almost old enough 10 be confirmed
- amiabie sweet girls they both were; but
the lost child is always the dearest, and he
was the youngest, and son. II was a
heavy trial The sisters sorrowed as young
hearts sorrow. and were much afflicted by
their parents grief; the father was weigh
ed down by the afiiction, but the mother
was quite overwhelmed by the terrible
blow By night and By day had she devoi-
ed herself 10 her sick child, watched him,
lifted him up, carried him about done ev-
cry thing for him herself. She had felt as
If he we're part OF herself. She could not
bring herself TO believe that he was dead
that he should De laid in a coffin and con-
cealed in the grave God would not take
the child from her. o no! And when he
was taken, and she could nc longer refuse
10 believe the truth, she exclaimed, in her
wild grief :-"God has not ordained this -
He has heartless agents here on earth
They do what they Iist-they hearken not
TO mothers prayers f'
She dared, in her woe, TO arraign the
Most High; and then came dark thoughts,
the thoughts of jeath-everlasting-
human beings returned as earth 10 earth,
and then all was over. Amidst thoughts
morbid and impious as these, there could
be nothing to console her.and she sank into
the deepest depths of despair.
In these hours Of deepst distress she
conld not weep. She thought not of the
young daughters who were there left; her
husbands tears fell on their brow, but che
did nsi Iook up At fiim-her thoughts were
with her dead child, her whole heart and
soul were wrapped up in recalling every
seminiscence of the lost one, every syIla-
hIe OF his infantile praitle.
The day of the funeral came. She had
not slept the night before, but, toward
morning, she was overcome by fatigue, and
sank for short time into repose. During
that time the coffin was removed into an
other apartment, and the cover was screwed
down with as little noise as possible.
When she avoke she arose and wished
10 see her child. Then her husband, with
tears in his eyes, told her, "We have clos
ed the coffin; il had to be donep'
aWhsn the Almighty is so hard on me, p
che exclaimed, axshy should human beings
be kinder Ga and sbe burst into tears.
The coffin was carried to the grave. The
inconsoIable mother asat with her young
daughters. She looked at them, but did
not see them; her tthoughts had nothing
more to DO with .Shome she gave herself
up 70 wrsicheds6ess. and il tossed her about
as the sea- xiosses the ship which bad lost its
hslufsman and its ruddsr. Thus passed
the day Of the funeral, and several days
followed amidsl the same uniform, heavy
grief With fearful eyes and melancholy
looks her afflicted family gazed al her.-
She did not cars for what comforied them.
What could they say 10 change ths current
Of her monrnfnl thnuahts
i seemed as If sleep had fed from her
forsrsr; Il s:ons would be her best friend,
strengthen her frame knd recall peace to
her mind Her family persuaded her to
kssp her bed, and she lay there IS still as
il buried IN sleep. 0ns night her husband
had listened @ her breathing, and bs|iex;