The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-02-13
THE SCENES OF NIGHT,
BY ANNIE E. LERAED.

]
following the example OF more brilliant
day king, has sank 10 her peaceful rest be-
hind the western horizon leaving the stars,
those bright gltlerine lamps of Heaven, 10
keep the lonely night-vigis o'er the earth.
For a brief period of time there is a busy
hum of voices, aud the tramp of many feet
Fastening from the scene of the day toll 10
the grateful quietude of home, and then
silence reigns supreme, until the hour of
eight is tolled forth by the deep toned town
clock
AS the last loud not vibrates upon the
still air, man and women, a young and
happy bridal pair, kneels within a brilliant
y lighted church, before the sacred altar,
and in the presence of ''Heaven's embas-
sador 10 earth" there TO breath the marriage
vows and, while the minister, in clear
calm tones, reads TO those youthful ones
the solemn ritual by which they are to be
bound to each other in Joy or care, in veal
or woe, through life unto the misty veil of
death, down from the courts of heaven, an
angel bends listening 10 catch the response
re-echoed in these manufacturing hearts,
and then TO bear those sacred vows up TO
the great High Priest, there 10 be recorded
in times that can never be affaced.
And now the ceremony is ended, The
hope o! years is realized, and they are hus-
band and wife. Oh, how sweet the thought
never TO be separated again until the cold
hand and the dark shadows of death sewers
the lie that binds them. Oh, they are very
happy now. in the first realization of their
long anticipated JOY But VIII it always
be thus! Will the bright-winged angel,
Joy take up his abode with them and for-
ever dwell within their household? Nay,
surely not, for sorrow ever brcods over
the earth, and no trail earthly mortal can
escape from his cruel oppression /: there
fore, they, happy as they now are, must
ere long bow their heads TO the waves of
chilling grief and affliction
But bark while we are thus nusing the
hour of nine rings out upon lhe air, and an =
other scene rises TO our view Within a
darkened chamber a fair young mother
lays, while out upon the hushed air fee
bic wall is borne-an infants cry All
and it seems well that this wall should 60
forth from this pure, sinless one, whose ex-
istence has lust began, for alas like al!
mortals, il is born TO lot of care and sor-
row, Of grief and woe, OF pain and misery
and, al last, 10 death A death, whether of
| honor, and long lamented, or of dishonor,
and soon forgotten, remains for the future
/ to uaiold aud with This thought we turn
fair, irail child like one, who seems almost
4 too delicate TO tread life rough and thorny
/ path Is she capaciiated TO rear that now
I sinless chiid for a respected lie and an
1 honored death Can she teach it how to
! shun the shoals and quicksands of life
/ how to overcome the temptations and bow
4 meekly TO the trials that await il in after
I years how to live that after death il may
/ be fl to dwell in the presence OF angels
/ ani archangels. OF cherubims, and sera-
phims, in the presence OF the Most Holy
Father himself? All what a fearful re.
/ sponsibility Is yours, frail trembling moth.
er. God give you strength for the trials
1 that await you, and enable you to fit the
/ soul OF this, your first born, for the never.
! ending Joys OF Heaven.
Ah .loudly now peals forth the hour o.
I ten Within another home behold a sol.
emn scene; upon a downy couch recline:
a man lately in the full prime, but now
! graphing with the dread King Of Terrors-
unrelenling Death-whose fatal arrow has
already pierced the slowly beating heart
Dear friends are gathered around, gazing
mournfully into the loved ones face, which
is only revealed by the dim light OF a single
/ taper How sadly the loved aud loving
ones gaze upon the counteuance now fas
changing 10 death Some, with not scald
ing tears coursing down their cheeks, ant
/ and others pale, mute and motionless, bu
each and all with almost bursting hearts.
How awfully still. Within that chamber
aud abored breathing of the dying one
ard with him struggle is almost over, be
| hold, the once flashing eyes are glazing
| with the film of death the once warm anC
active limbs are growing cold and rigid
aud on the once fondly loving heart il
now cold and still All the soul has gone
] into the presence OF lis Creator, for all ere
ated things proclaim that existence adds no
I with The grave; yea, surely there is lane
beyond the tomb.
Again the faithful town clock notes the
rapid flight of time, and loudly tolls th'
hour of eleven. With pale haggard coun
tenance, and wild, unearthly looks yonn:
but wretched being wanders without
home, and, alas destitute of friends. All
life TO her is a burden now, and the worlC
a dreary waste. But it was not always thus
Once she had pleasant home once sh