The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-07-12
WHAT A BOY DISCOVERED.
BY MISS c. A. ELY.

BY MISS c. A. ELY.
The boy that I am writing about, a
lad not yet grown, finding himself very
tired at the close Of a day of hard labor,
became somewhat discouraged, for it
seemed that there yaaslikely to be no
end of toll for him in world. He
was generally very cheerful, and proud
and thankful to be able to take care of
his loving mother and himself, but just
now his contentment hid itself behind a
cloud.
He was lying out under tree in their
little garden, while his mother was
making ready their supper in the small
cottage.
"How curious it is" said he tc him
self, "while this world was made for us
to live in and enjoy, everything in it
seems to have an easier and pleasanter
time than the people themselves, who,
at least the most Of them, have to work
hard to the end Of their days. This
comes of having bodies to take care of |
suppose. should like to get OF side Of
mine for little while, to have some
freedom, and 60 about and see things as
spirits do"
And his wish seemed grantel, for
Immediately his spirit appeared to be no
longer couGued to the body, lying as in
deep sleep on the grassy earth, and he
was free to leave it and 90 where he
pleased.
"Good bye," he said to it, 81 presume
shall not be gone very long from you,
and if mother comes to look forme, you
had better not let her know that We
have parted company for little while;
she might be worried for fear that l
would not come back again. Just
keep looking as, though you we're
asleep.
A spirit not covered with body
must be something like great invisi-
BILE eye, for il travels with the swiftness
ola glance, and sees everything, piercing
into the most secret recesses.
This spirit, as though it were an
arrow let loose, cut its way through
space, aud darted FIRST up among the
clouds.
"Now fora visit with you peaceful
white aocks Of the sky" said he
But he saw az exciting state of af-
fairs.
"Why are you all hurryiug so? And
your faces have become gloomy! You
are groan,ng as though in great distress
And now you are weeping, and oh, the
fiery darts cut through your soft
bodies!
We on earth say, "Whata refreshing
shower p And it brings to us purer
cir, a fresher bloom to the earth, and
renewed vigor to all.
The spirit exclaimed again: ~ never
before thought Of what you endured that
we might be refreshed"
Gradually peace came again among
them, and the setting sun smiled SO
comfortably upon the weary clouds that
still remained, that they flushed up
with rosy hope, and like him they went
to rest.
The spirit was beginning to see crea-
tion IN q new and true light. 1t stop
ped on the summit Of high mountain.
One glance from it showed that from the
clouds to the depths Of the earth, all was
in motion and at work.
81 wonder if there is nothing at rest
and at ease" said be.
Some of the clouds as they passed,
were caught by peak Of the mountain.
But they we're not to remain there, for
others which had preceded them had
formed themselves into little stream,
80 clear, that these, too, were ens,ced to
join them, and descend to the valley
where they would assist the river,
which vas Of 90 much ase to the people
living there. What pathway must
this tsuder, white. stream pass over be-
fore it could Hov quietly along in the
rivers course! 0ger sharp rocks and
precipices-its slender form torn almost
to shreds-yet ever gathering Itself to-
geshes sgain, and Surryiug On, for it
| felt that L was needed and could not
tsrry. When plaDgiog from high
steep, and bfsken, on rocks below, the
spisya aud nists Of iss pale anguish, and
Eiis sishs TUNED 70 snusiey we're to the
narrow senses Of human beings, both
fbeautifsl end jeyfal.
sOh dear little brook! used to