The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-02-20
For the Jcffsr soninn nemocras.
A Leaf From NV Diary.

WRlonghby, Eb 2d-WeIli here am,
sitting again in the same school.room which,
eight weeks ago, left. on account of an
epidemic, from which both my pupils AM
myself have suffered. have spent YER Y
pleasant day With my young friends, fro IN
whom had beeu so long separated. and
have observed with delight their willingness
to leave the playground for the school.
room. and their persevering application to
| their studies while hero. But, amid my
happiness, strains Of sadness will sweep o'e,
my heart-etrings; for, amidst the happy
group playing so morrilv 10 the yard. and
from, amongst the throng of childish face,
| that, few minutes ago, we're here, now
bending thoughtfully over the books before
| them. now upward raised, showing eyes al
heamipg With intelligence and good humor
miss tho pleasant music of four child
voices. and tho sight Of four loved. familia,
faces. which can never more be restored tc
US on earth.
The 8rst on whom Death laid bis icy hand,
wac little girl of eight summers, q beauti-
fui, fragile flower, which I always thought
too pure and tender blossom for our rough
soil. used to look at tho littlc, frail crea-
ture, that seemed so ethereal and spiritual
10 her loveliness, and tho dread fear ,eoalc
pass over mo that she was not long foi
earth. Sweet little darling! know thu,
sho Is happy now; far happier than sh,
could have been here; for hers was too sen
sitive nature to bear Tho trials and crosses
of this lower world. But obi IL Is bard tc
give her up; hard even for me. who bad
known her only for few days; and I won
der mot that her poor mothers grief is dcor
and lasting.
Tho next was lovely little fairy with
laughing eyes and witching smiles. that al.
ways carried life and giadness wherever shc
went; one of those beings that we sometimes
think are semitic Garth for the very purpose
Of cheering our toilsome journey through
life's labyrinth. Il will be long, very long
before can look calmly at her vacant scat,
or think without emotion OF tie little bird
like voice that used to lisp her lessons ovei
so sweetly. But II would be selfish to wist
her back; for know tina. shc has gone nov
where everything is brigh. and beautiful
| like her.
She was quickly followed by another. ,
merry. blue.eyed boy, but very ,houghtful
wish oil bis merriment. can see him now
with my mental vision. his bright eye rolling
out IN wonder npd amsEement, as some new
gleam' Of knowledge wac revealed 10 his liz
| tie mind. he was COCO boy, too, that nj
ways would do what he thought was right,
and had great many questions to ask about
that far-of world to which bis freed spirit
| has since winged its fight.
Then another was called one little older
one whose kindness and persovoring strdi.
BUSINESS. could not fail to win the love and
esteem of both teacher and pupils. l miss
his good attention and rendy answers in hit
classes, and fnd 1t bard to becoine reconciied
to the loss, oven though know that bin
mind, untrammeied by any earthly hin
drances, is now unfolding and expanding in
the light of an Omniscient !Jehoysh.
But do wrong to mourn for these depart
ed ones, for "our loss IL their gain" They
have been taken from q thousand snares anG
temptations. and need 20 longer the care
Of any earthly person. while many more ar,
left us TO love and labor for just as goot
and gifted as those whom death has take
from us. l must ceasc to weep for the saf,
and happy ones, and try to do nv eutv 4
the living And may God. In His infnit,
wisdom and goodness, help me TO deal just
~ and truly with the young minds commit
ted to my care, to bo fitted for liie's rougi
voyage A. O. L.