Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-04-23

" Happily for humanity, there are none
like me on earth
90 Y ou frighten me-.
" Pardon, generous stranger YOU know
how unfortunates love to speak Of their in
frmities.'
"Speak, then, speak. You have said your
sister lived here in the garden with you, and
aided you in the support Of your mistor-
tunes.
at was" the hermit replied, 50 the only
connection which bound me to the rest Of
mankind. God was pleased to sever the tie,
and to leave me alone in the midst OF the
world. Her soul was worthy Of the heaven
whittier it had gone, and her example sustained
me in the midst Of Affections which since her
death have at the timenearly ly overpowered me;
We did not live together in the condition oi
pleasant intimacy such asI have conceived OF ;
the character Of our disease prohibited US from
the ENJOYMENT of this consolation. Even when
we came together for prayer to God. we avoid
ed observing each other, lest the sight OF our
troubles would interfere with our medita-
tions, and our supplications did not unite un
til in heaven. After prayer my sister would
commonly retire to her little cell, or to the
arbor which bounds the garden thus we
were almost always apart
" But what imposed upon you this con-
straint? inquired the visitor.
When my sister was attacked by the con-
tagious disease, TO which all our family have
fallen victims, and she came to share my re-
treat, we had never met. Her alright was
extreme on seeing me for the first time. The
fear OF troubling her. and the still greater
fear of augmenting her disease BY approach
ing her forced me to adopt this sad mode Of
life The leprosy had attacked only her
breast. and fostered some hone of seeing her
eventually recover. You perceive the re-
mains of that trell have neglected II well,
it was formely for hopes, whi.h ! cultivated
with much care, and it divided the garden
into TWO sections. on either side ol it had
formed little path. along which We used to
walk and converse, and that without seeing
ur approaching each other They say heaven
is pleased to poison the sad pleasures which
it best0ws upon us
At least | was not all alone. continued
the Leper. The presence of my sister rem
dered this living retreat. In my solitude
could listen to the sound Of her football.
When, at the close of day. resortcd to the
arb0r for PRAYER, the door Of the togcr would
softly open, and the voice Of my sister you'd
mingle insensibly with mine. At evening,
while was watering my garden, She would
sometimes walk in the rays Of thcsettin- sun.
and could see her shadow passing and rc-
passing on the flowers. Now ! no longer
find broken flowers or twigs scattered by her
in the path. am alone. There is u0
movement of life here other than my own.
The path which led 70 her lavorite bower is
now 0yerruu with grass. Without seeming
. to De SO occupied. she was always striving t
afford me some pleasure. On entering my
chamber | have often been surprised % ind
vases Of fresh flower, or fruit which she had
gathered for me | never dared G, render
her similar services. / never cav her cithc.
in or entering my chamber.
"Ah who can estimate the affections of ,
sister, One example alone Will suffice O.
illustrate her love and -1lieiude i.r me
One night was pacing back and forth in mi
room, being tOrmented with excruciatin-
pain. and not fer from midnight, and hayiu.
seated myself to snatch a few moments %
rest, heard a slight rusjliug at the entrance
! approached, listened. how great WAS d.,
astonishment. it was my sister, who va
praying at my doorstep. She Lad heard ~,
complaints, and although she bad iearc
troubling me, yet she lad come to reliey
me in my agony. heard her in low ton
recite the Msrre. gently knee.iog, an
without iuterrupting her. mentally res pond
ed to her words. My ewes were sudu-ed wit
tears Who would not have been moved h'
such marks of love When J Thought he
PRAYER was ended. al.eu. mv sister said
lowly adieg. Won may retire now. ] ieel
little better, and may God bless and rcWar
You for your piety. She departed. aud hsyon
doubt her prayer was answered, for at la-
had several hours ofquiet rest.
II w sad must have been the first day
after the death of So aiieclona.e o sister,
observed the officer.
ITO b. continued NAT Ul..