The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-17
Mltstellancous.
The Open Window.
"Little Charlie is dead :"
Cages finger

repeated the words very sadly, and tho
no audible voice from the tree-top above me
had spoken them. ! glanced upward to the
windows, which for fourteen days had been
wholly darkened shutters and curtains were
withdrawn at last, and the fre-h breeze and
golden light drif,ed freely in.
knew that on the couch where Charlie
had tossed and moaned, parched with fever,
and smittcn with gricvous pain, there lay
only nm altered, stificnins shape which we
had loved and pi,icd as sour Charlie;" but
the real being whose gay young lilc made
beauty all around it, was not there. One
wiser and more plying than ourselves had
called the li.tlo boy, and in the night he had
arisen. saying. "'rhy servant heareth," and
gone outward to walk with the Lord
1t was an exquisite morning in early au-
tumn. Not a cloud vailed the intense blue
of tho sky, luminous with depths OF sun.
shine; and beneath every tree scarlet and
purple shadows played, while tho nd,sway.
ins thoir branches, seemed to call up tender
memories irom each warm, sturdy heart
"Deal!" echoed the word as, lingering
by the hali-opcn gate, ! hesitated to enter
it. In thus glad day oyeraOwing with bril-
liancy, what room was there for so dark a
syllable?
Charlie was the child Of q neighbor, u
beautiful and winning little spirit as ever 50.
journed in bumanc clay. Full Of restless pre-.
cocious lie, the light links OF existence were
irettod away by tho ccaseless strain and jar
of the imprisoned soul. We knew that he
must leave us, but forgetiul Of previous warn.
ing the death of my iavortc came to me with
the sharp pang Of an unheralded woe. Re
gaining with an efforta degree Of composure.
entered the house Of mourning. The hush
which severe sickness imposes, the shddop OF
mystery yet to be revealed, which envelop
dwelling so consecrated. were exchanged
for the dread certainty of helpless grief
Charlie was dead
How many times during the past fortnight
had entered that room, whose represscd
sights and sound, were sadly familiar? With
what painful foreboding had ! fingered in It's
gloom, which typifed too well the cherished
hopes that here perished? AS crossed Its
threshold I had half expected to hear tho
stiled moan OF the sick and weary child /;
but he breathed an air which no sickness poi
sous, and the body was at rest forever
Wha, change had fow hours wrought in
this apartment! The soft, rich mir Of the
Indian summer stole through windows no
longer guarded, and tho sunshine stretched
its golden beams upon the floor and walls
further. it slanted across the pure linen that
was folded above the sleeper, and to the deli
cate features and sunny hair gave somewha,
Of the glad vitality Of life. Every leaf aut
tering, every bird.noto, every whisper Of the
WIDE world without, spoke of rejoicing. al
shall 20 to him." said my heart responsively
and could almost weep tears Of ghdnes'
that the gift Of immortal youth was 50 early
granted TO Charlie.
A new train Of thought passed my mind
as, standing by the dead boy, | watched the
play Of light and shade around the small
conch Oh long vailed in darkness.
While yet there remained ths uncertainty
of life poised in the scales OF Eternity, the
turbid waters of affection were stirred to
blackest agitation with every dreaded posi-
bility. through this oppressive atmosphere
every shining hope which centered in Char
lies existence had cleaned forth in sudden.
singing relne,nbronce-all the JOY that had
becn; the faith outlooking years OF de-
veloped manhood. Now coldly and drcarily
rose instead the vision Of scenes that were to
be-the dying agony; the slow. cruel for
mali,y OF the funeral rites; the desolate
home. "All is Of God :" but the struggle
between natural affection and the obedience
which yields calmly to his decree. is often Of
great severity.
Trembling bOpc and fear were alike subsi.
ded now. and in their stead rose the pale cy.
press blossom Of peace.
Yes, the open window, the signal OF soresi
loss, was also the avenue Of richest gain =
the healing breath Of heaven, and its baptis-
mal light, were they not messages to the
spirit Of the deepencd experience attained
only through tears? We clasp the hands
whose grasp i' loosening with rcdoubled ear
nestness. Our love cries out madly n its
idols fade; bur when finally removed beyond
the reach of human yearning. we remember
Who Il was that said, Thy brother shall
rise again"