The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-07
a MOTHERS LOVE.
translated FROM sHE DANISH OF HANS CHRIS
TAN ANDERSEN. -..--.---

mother looked still more sadly upon it.
There was knock at the door. and poor old
cloak, which kept him warm, for it was winter.
Snow and ice covered the earth, the wind blew
sharp and cut ones face. -
As the old man was shivering with cold, and the
child seemed to sleep for awhile, the mother went
and placed something to drink near the Ere that
il might be warmed for him. And the old man
was sitting by the cradle and placed his cold hand
upon the heart OF the little child. rfT
"Dost thou not think II will live? ~ said the
mother; God cannot take II from me.n
"God can do everything" said the old man.
and the mother bent down her head aud tears
rolled over her cheeks. Her head was heavy
three days and three nights she had known no
sleep, and now she sept-ope minute only. But
the old man was gone and her child was gone.
He had taken it with him. Now she rose pale,
cold. despairng aud went to the door which
Death had opened and called the neme of her
child. sH0 Nh
Out there in the deep snow sat an old woman
in long. black garments, aud she sais /: I" Death
has been IN Thy house. saw him les:ve il with
Thy little child and he brings never back what he
has taken"
the mother; show ne the way and will find
him.
'Iknow it," said the old woman; "but will not
tell you unless you sing all the songs to me which
you have sung to your little child. | love those
songs, have heard them all. am Night and |
saw your tears while you were singng.rA
81 will sing them all, !" said the mother "but
DO not Keep me now; let me 90 after him and
bring back my child y
But Night had no pity, and the mother wrung
her banes and wept and gave her songs to her.
There were many songs-but still more tears
Then Night said: "Go down TO yonder dark pine
wood, thitber cav Death take Thy cbild.n
Deep IN the woods the way crossed, and she did
not know what direction to take. There, however
stood a thorn bush, which had neither leaves nor
flowers, for it was Winter, and icices hung on its
branches.
'Hsst thou not seen Death come this way with
my little child 20 said the mother I'D
81 have,' said the thornbush, shut l will not
tell you unless You press me TO your warm heart.
for sm freezing TO DEATH"
And she pressed the thornbush to her bosom.
that II might become warm again aud tell her.
The ihorns cut deep into her breast and her blood
nowed IN large drops. But the thornbush pro-
duced leaves and flowers in the cold Winter night
80 warm is The heart of a bereaved motherl
And the thornbush told her the way she should
go.
she came to a wide lake. upon which was no
boat. IL was not frozen enough to be walked
over, nor shallow enough TO be gone through
and yet she had to pass il II she would find her
child. Then she lay down 70 drink it ont for
though she knew this was impossible 70 man. she
believed some miracle would come to her assis-
lance.
NO" said the lake, "that will not do: but let
US see If we agree; love to gather pearls, and
Weep them out into me, and will carry thee over
10 the great house where Death nurses his trees
and Howers, every one of which is a human life.n
"Oh, what would ] not give 10 come TO nv
child T" said the weeping mother, and her eyes
Tell into the lake and were transformed into two
precious pearls. And the lake lifted her mp as IL
70 q swing, and carried her to the opposite shore.
There stood magnificent house, many miles
large: but the mother could not see it-she had
v ept out her eyes.
Where shsll find Death ~ she cried. He
has taken my child. and want I.n
g BE has not yet arrived here" sail an old,
gray woman, who was going around these to keep
watch over the house Of Death; :" how aidst thou
ind Thy way, and who was with thee"
"God was with me, !" replied she. I" BE is mer-
,iiui win you not be 80! Tell me, where is my
know il not.w said the old woman i" aud You
cannot see. Many flowers and trees haze wither.
ed last night and Death win be here TO trans
plant them. Each human being has its tree or
lower of life according to the position IL may oo
cupy upon earth. They look like other plants,
but their hearts beat. fhe hearts of children also
beat. Remember this perhaps thou wonldst be
sble TO recognize thy child by the beating CT its
1eart. But hast thou anything to give meif tell
thee moreg'
mother; I" but will 60 TO the end of the earth for
bee.r
"Ibave no business thers,n answered the old
vomsn; " but give me thy long, black tresses.
Thou has been told enongh-how beautiful they
lre-spd take my white hair 10 turn"
" Is thst all, ?" said the mother, with Joy part
rom them.n She did so.
Now they walked into the house Of Death, where
lowers sDd trees stood arranged in mysterious
'Jder. There were beautiful hyacnths and daisies,
md full blooming roses. There were water plants
u all kinds, serpents were hidden under some, and
lack crabs crept mp the stems. Splendid palm
rees spread out their branches, and oak trees
food firm ss If IL were for centuries, while lilies
fwa -1.Is l.
babe. Every tree and every plant hsa name
n 1t, and each represented human life. All
hese human beings were still livingk some In
,hna, come in Greenland and so all over the
sorld. There were large trees in small pots, so
hat they came near bursting them. and there were
mall and sickly flowers in rich ground, covered
nth moss and well cared for.
The afflicted mother listened all round TO hear
be hesrt of her child, and out of millions Of the
lost tender plants. she recognized IL.
There 1t is ~ cried she, and stretched her hand
yer little crocus-bloom that stood sickly and
hiveripg there.
"Touch il aot," said the old woman, "but stay
here thou art and when Death comes-Iexpect
i'm every minute-do not allow him to take tnis
tile plant. Tell him ttou wilt tear some Of his
,ses into pieces. and be will become frightened,
" be Is responsible to God for every lower"
Suddenly change came. II grew cold In the
all. and the blind mother felt that Death had
)me.
And hast thou found thy way hereyr asked he.
How couldst thou arrive sooner than I?n
81 am mother" was all she replied.
And Death stretched his long arm to take that
tile Aower-she covered il with her hands
cath blew bis cold breath upon them-and they
II powerless beside her.
AGAINST me thou can'st do nothing" said
cath.
"God cap.- ssid she
His will do, answeredlDeath. "Thave TO take
these plants and flowers, one after tho other.
ID carry them into his Paradise -garden-the uu.
lown land, but how they are provided for there
dsre not tell"
''Give me back my child" cried the mother.
lzing two iowers-not seeing which, as she was
ind-"l destroy these am In despair 10
do not" said Death, mildly, "thou art already
HAPPY shall another mother be equally 30 30
Another mother ?" said she, and let 20 the
wers.
"Tbere, take thy eyes" said Death "eyes eet
rer by weeping. as hearts become purer by
burning. 4 took them out of the lake and now
Ok down into the well near thee. / will call
, flowers thou vert about to destroy, and their
stiDy shall be revealed to thee"
Vow the mother looked down into the we'll.
was rejolced to see how the one would be.
ne blessing 10 mankind how much hanni.