The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-12-05
LANCASTER G.. H., S. c., DEC, 5, 1867.


pleasures Of study l. ofttimes lose thought
Of my sorrow, but when alone the pent up
feelings Of my yearning heart burst forth.
pause-but oh, the past year has been
one Of deep afflc,iou. My father became
suddenly acquainted with a lady OF
reputed worth, and, needing some person
to take charge Of bis eslec,ed household,
offered bis hand in marriage TO Mrs.
Beverly, She was = widow, and has but
one child--a little girl Of Ave summers.-
Upon Ida is ceu,ered every affection Of
her heart. -Four months ago, for the
first time since their marriage, visited my
early home. Without, it wore the same
appearance asiu former dsys,-Abut within
how changed! A strangers hand had
arranged my mothers apartments so
widely different that scarcely felt I was
at bone. was at first cordially received
by my slep ;uo,her, but in few days she
ceased to notice the at all, and, was left
to my own will. One morning | stepped
into the parlor to look once more at my
mothers piano. 1t was birthday gift
from father one year after marriage. |
bad never opened it since her death, and
it seemed that it would be relief to my
feelings once more 10 awaken i,s well
known tones seated psEssIt >an4
accompanied it's soft 'ss~esk3usic Win my
voice in familiar melody, but scarcely
had finished when, looking vp,, 7
Pere%< fSMsteS mother xss, NY hide,
wrath kind&S inNeveiS S&turs, ,efa,sf
face. She stood moment, and exclaimed,
"Miss Montgomery, request that This
may never be repeated. This piano is
not to be used until Ida is n young lady.
design it expressly Ter her, and would
be obliged to you il you would consider
that this is now my house, and these
parlors are not designed ss a morning
resort for school'miss. If you cannot
adhere to my request you can 60 where
you are more welcome" I shrank from
repeating tEis to my father, foi vel!
knew it would grieve him and call up
again the memory Of "the loved and lost"
In silence | retained my heart bursting
anguish and returned shortly after to my
beloved teacher and school mates, for in
their kindness I find balm for my
stficted heart" As Lizzie concluded er
affecting narrative she took from a casket
small gold locket-snshrined within
was the image Of her mother. There,
Nellie" raid she, "is all have left to
care for now" | wonder not that she
carefully cherished .Ahe memory Of go
beautiful a being.
About midnight I was aroused by
Lizzie calling for water. I Immediately
arose and fourd her very i'll. A physician
va, summoned, but he gave us no hope,
and when the morning dawned our Lizzie
WAS in Heaven. Pure spirit. I look
| back to that death bed scene and the tear
starts
-'No nv dim sunkcn eve
For thoughts OF the bright past can never die d"
! recall her look as she turned to me
and, taxing from her finger diamond
ring-a gift from her mother-bsde me
keep II md remember Lizzie" She !,
at rest by her mothers side. She was
too pure for earth. aud the angels came
aud waited her s.irit to their own brigh,
land. was present when they laid her
down in the silent grave. 1T was one Of
Natures most beautiful days. The sof,
wind and singing birds seemed chanting
sad requiem to the memory Of the
departed. Years have passed since then ;
have wandered through the world
have mingled in festive tbrongs where
bright eyes shoue aud roerry laughter
rang-but never amid earlh's gaysst
scene can | forge, my early friend.
! She has gone to the land OF the blest,
| The land whore the weary reposo,
| Safe moorcd in that harbor OF rest,
| No longer aflliction she knows.
! ANusISn FxPRRNRSr.-Iets some OF
| our younu roadars trv tha Eoiio,,;,. ....