The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-06-22
THE TWO PICTURES.

There had whispered a voice, twas the voice OF
love thee love thee pass under he rod.
Come, Willie. let man g,na put on your pretty
new dress. And stand still like darling,
while | curl your hair there, now you are
ready to have Your likeness taken aLd what
pretty picture mamma pet VIII make 80
thoughts yonng mother, while she gjt2ed with
a parents prde on her little boy, As he stood
before her in all the radancy of infant beauty,
his cheeks dyed with the joyous light Of child
hood
Willie's mother was about leaving her ma
tive land, TO seek a home with the stranger,
a she thougkt how pleased her dear old
mother would be 10 have a likeness of her
grandson, SO that she could look upon his
peet face whenever her heart wearled tor
HIM so there was pretty little scarlet dress
made for the occasion, and new hat bought;
and now mamma has put them on, and l.
going TO take him TO sit for his likeness.
Bat, another picture was taken OF mothers
little darling and oh could she have raised
the veil from IT, as il hung, shrouded by tbs
dark mists of the future, how her heart
would have shrunk within her to have wit
messed the change that had passed over the
face of her boy.
There, in tiny coffin, mid the folds of the
scarlet dress, lay little Willie : but the warm
pulses Of life had ceased TO beat, and the
roses had faded from the w;Axen face, while
the long sllken iringes had fallen softly over
the blue eyes, hiding their Joyous light for
ever Il few flowers were sped within the
him, sweet emblems of the beautiful form
that lay there 50 very still.
The shades of evening are falling softly
around the joyous songs of the sweet birds
are hushed; they have folded their Wearied
wings and gone TO rest; little Wllie's merry
laugh is no longer heard his feet have ceased
10 dance about the floor ; he, too, has gone TO
sleep. and the happy mother softly murmurs
lullaby at the side of his couch.
Night now has thrown its dark mantle over
the sleeping earth, the mother has laid down
On the couch by her child, and deep though
her SAUNDERS are, something more than
wonted disturbs them. Can il be that dark
forebodings of evil are shading the light of
her dreams See, how her lips culver, while
she murmurs the name of her little son now
she clasps her hands wildly and springs from
the bed.
The moon has arisen in all her beauty, and
her beams are falling over the face of little
Willie but oh, God the agony their light
reveals 10 the heart of the poor mother, rs
they rest on the pinched fea lures of the child
The eyes are half open and fixed large drops
have gathered on the brow, half shaded by
The fiaNen curls, while from the half COM
pressed lips comes IA smOthered gurgiing
sound, then mournfol wail-the parting
adieu Of the mouTntul spirit.
The doctor arrives, but he shakes his head
and turns from the agonizlng glance of the
mother, AZ he eXclaimS "too late -
He has no hope TO offer, for well does he
know that the work of death is nearly I'm
ished.
The morning opened in splendor, shedding
its golden light over the beautiful flowers,
while their blossoms expanded beneath the
warmth OF its glorious rays. The little birds
awcke, and from the boughs of the trees filled
the air with swee, melody; and the pet bird
that lay trembling and conS ulsed in the arms
OF it's mother, during the night, awoke from
the sleep OF death, and unfolding its little
wings, sang one of the songs of Paradise as
il scared above to nestle on the breast of
Jehovah.
The mother sits all alone in her chamber
her heart is desolate for the couch is empty
by the side OF her bed and vacant little
chair stands in the corner. Sad thoughts
arise Us she gazes mournfuliy on the picture
before her, airing the impress of the beauty
reflected there only one day previous. The
features seem full of life in the mimic face,
the bright eye, the glow OF health, and the
playful smile of innocence, vain delusIons OF
lnortaiitv-all are there! Then she turns to a
little collin that lies on a table near by
The lid j. moved aside, and Il waxen figure,
bearing a true reseIn bl;tCCe to the likeness in
her hand, meets her eve but & light beams
over the face reflected not on the other;
an angai when he bore the spirit away,
stamped with the seal of Heaven
Young mother many heart sympa thizes
with you o-day, ana fervent are the plead
Ings that ascend 10 the throne on high, in
your behalf Yes pleading that the NaZa-
rene may pass by, and while he gives You
streDet IN for your day, he may say 10 the dark
waves that Surround you, peace, be stun"