Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1868-02-28
Mis- 6CEII4Ia A gNY
Death of Little Nell.

She was dead No sloep so beautiful and
calm, SO free from trace of pain, SO fair to look
upon She seemed a creature fresh from tho
hand Of God, and waiting for, the breath Of
life: not ono who had lived and suffered
death. Her couch was dressed with here an6
there some wintcr-bcrrics and green leaves,
gathered in a spotshe had been used to favor.
"Whtn l. die, put near me something that
has loved the light, and had tho sky above it
always" These were her words.
She was dead, Deal, gentle, patient no
BILE Nell was dead Her little bird-a poor,
slight thing the pressure Of a finger. would
have crushed was stirring nimbly in its
cage; and tho strong heart of its child-mis
trcss was mutc and motioncss forever. r.--
Where wcrc tho traces Of her early cares, her
sufcrings, and fatigucs /? 4 All gono. Sorrow
was dead, indeed, in her but peace and per-
feet happiness were born, ,-imagcd- her
tranquil beauty and profound rcposc. ,ot
And still her former self there, unalterod
in this change. Yes. The old frcsido had
smiled upoh that samc sweet face it. had
passed like dream, through haunts of MISC
ry and care; at tho door of tho poor school
master on the summer evening, before the fur
nace'firc upon tho cold, wet night, at tho still
bedside of tho dying boy, there had been the
samc mild and lovely look So shall we know
the angels in their majesty, after death ,,,, .1i
Tho old man held one languid arm in his,
and tho small, tight hand folded to his BREAST
fnrp poV + 5o, ~, l.. i I.
ed out to him with her last smile-tlle hand
that had led him on through all their wander
ipgs. Ever and anon he pressed it to his
lips thcn huggcd it to his breast again, muur-
muriing that it was warmer now and, as he
said it, hc looked in agony to those who stood
around, as if imploring them help hcr o
She was dead, and past all help, or need Of
help. The ancient rooms sho had seemed to
fill with life, even while her own was waning,
fast-the garden she had tended tho eyes
sheihad gladdcnci-the noiscloss hadnts' of
MANY athoughtess hour the paths she had
troddcn, asitwcre, but yesterday could know
her no moro. & .
Hlt is not" said the sohoolmaster, as ha
bent down to kiss Aer on the check, and gave
his tears free vent, G it is not in this world
that Heavens justice ends, Think what
earth is, compared with the world to which
her young spirit has winged its early flight,
and say, if ono deliberate wish, expressed; in
solemn tones above this bed, could call her
back to life, which Of us would ptterit!"
She had been dead two days They were
all about her at the time, knowing that the
end was drawing on. she died soon after
daybrcak. They had read and talked to,jher
in the earlier portion Of ,tho night but sthe
hours prep, 81 %, she sank to sleep. They
could tell, by7what she family uttered in her
dreams, that they we're Of her journeyipgs
WITH tho Old man they wero of no. painful
soehes,f'but Of those who had helped thom
and used them kindly; for sho Often Said
q" God bless you'll" with great feryor,@ @}3aj' ~
f Walking, she never wandercd1ip ihor mind
but once, and that was at beautiful ihnsio,
which l,sslh she saidS was in the air. God knows,
1tmay have been q Opening her eyes at'last,
from very quiet slocp, sho begged that thoy
would kiss her onco5 agaiu That douc, 'sho
turned to the old man, with lovely smiloup-
on!herfacc such, thoy said, as they had new
eF socn, and mover could forget-and cluhg,
with both ,horarms, about his neck. She
had never murmurcd or complained but,
with a quiet mind, and manner quite unaltcr-
cd dsavo that .sho. every day booamc moro
earnest and more grateful to them 2fadcd
like the light upon the summers's evening.