Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-14

was little handkerchief of Willie's, edged
with particular kind Of lace which she
had put on herself The water was still
and rippleless-saye slight tremor,
which might be caused by the breeze-and
reflected the quiet stars in its dark face.
My father, who was a good swimmer
and stranger to fear, quietly took off his
coat, and in moment was down at the
bottom Of the pool. shall never forget
the expression of anxiety on my mothers
face as she bent forward over the pool
Her large dark eyes had something awful
in the intensity of their gaze her thin
white hands were clasped conyulsively
upon her bosom; her lips were drawn
tightly across her small white teeth and
we could hear her breathe as though she
had been running rapidly.
IL seemed an age before my father re-
appeared but when he did, it was with
| Willie's pale, handsome face, looking more
beautiful than ever, lying on his shoulder,
and his long dark hair, which it always
seemed shame to sut, falling over his
arm I think l hear my mothers wild,
despairing cry now, at the distance of
seventy years. have heard it at night
in my quiet study; | have heard it Oh
board ship, when the storm winds have
thrown us like feather amongst the
frothing waves; | have heard it in old
continental cathedrals, above the voices
of the choir, the music of the organ, and
the ringing and clashing of the bells.
Hush thought l heard it then Ny
father carried Willie home, and old Wal
ter and the other servant assisted my mo-
ther. Willie was instantly got to bed,
aud the ordinary means used for his re-
storation, whilst old Walter was sent off
on the brown mare to the doctors. We
heard the dull, heavy sound of her hoofs
upon the snow, as she went off at swift
pace down the carriage-drive. In short
time she came back, bringing the doctor.
My mother was bending over Willie,
and nervously swaying herself backwards
and forwards, when he came in but she
rose Immediately, and with wide, flashing
eyes, exclaimed
'Oh doctor, save my boyi Oh, Will
lie Willie, darling Speak to me, my
child -
I never read Davids thrilling lament,
{ Oh, Absalom my son, Absalom r. with
ont thinking of my mothers great agony
in Willie's chamber. The doctor was a
remarkably skilful man but it seemed a
hopeless case. How my mothers eager
eyes followed all his movements !
AT last, when we were just despairing,
Willie gently opened his eyes-those mag
ni6cent eyes of his | There was an un-
speakable ecstacy on my mothers face,
the like of which have never seen since,
and never expect to see again. 1t was
coming light when the doctor left us, and
Willie was in a refreshing sleep.
The many-colored rainbow of Hope
now hung over the Viearage, alas soon
to fade away, leaving us but the cold rain
and dark clouds of great sorrow.
After an hour or two of Sleep Willie
awoke, and told my mother how he heard
the shouts and laughter of the children in
the drawing-room, and how the music
seemed to taunt him; and then how he
became afraid, and dared not look where
the shadows lay in the Library; and how,
as he watched the moon rise through the
popIars before the window, he was tempt
ed to climb down by the ivy-stems; and
how he had wandered to the Black Pool,
and been tempted to spring across it to
get bunch of crimson berries that hung
from branch on the other side, thinking
he would give them to her; and how he
had missed his footing and fallen back
ward into the pond Then he told her
how he rose to the surface and how he
was falling into sweet and pleasant
slumber at the bottom, with thoughts of
her passing dream like through his mind,
and how he felt some hand touch him,
and an exquisite sensation of pain as il
he were dying,-and that was all he knew.
How my mother wept and smiled, and
casped him to her bosom and called him
her darling Willie! l need not tell you
now how my poor father kissed him, and
asked-as he, the stern disciplinarian,
asked-pardon of his own child, Willie.
fatigued with his long talk, fell asleep
again; but it was a troubled, broken
slumber His cheeks grew crimson, aud
his breath quick and hot, and he trembled
as though he we're very cold,
The doctor came again, but this time
he shook his head, and said there was no
chance for him. My mother and father
watched him night and day; but he grew
worse and worse. Now he would talk Of
the wild bees nest be had ionnd a few
days ago in a bank in the wood,-then
he would shout as if at play and then
whilst my father covered his face with his
hands and the big tears trickled through
his fingers in an agony of grief, he would
try to repeat his Latin, and failing to do
SO correctly, he would begin again, saying
in beseeching tones, oh papa, forgive
me cannot"
Willie died one morning, jnst as the
old year was dying amidst frost and snow,
repeating his Latin lesson, as my mother
held his head with its splendid dark locks
on her bosom, and his little hand lay in
my father's trembling palm.
SWALLOWING A YARD OF LAND
"Diek, let's have pint of beer, said II
railway "navie" to his mate. May,
| Tocl I can't afford IN drink n suuare