The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-04-20

eliAfCSSu AHOtAeE Dub viii 60 TO
the end of the earth for thee"
81 have no business there" said
the old woman; but give me thy
long black tresses. Thou hast
been told enough how beautiful
they are, and take my white hair in
turn"
@Is that allY' said the mother.
with joy I part from themr'
Now they walked into the house
Of Death, where flowers and trees
stood arranged in mysterious order.
There were beautiful hyacinths and
daises, and full blooming Roses
There were water plants Of all kinds
-serpents were hidden under some,
and black crabs crept up the stems.
Splendid palm trees spread out
their branches, and oak trees stood
firm as if for centuries, while lilies
and fragrant thyme were sheltered
by their shade. Every tree and ev-
cry plant had a name on it, and
each represented a human life. All
these human beings were still liv-
ing, some in China, some in Green
land, and so all over the world
There were large trees in small pots,
that they came near bursting them,
and there were small and sickly
flowers in rich ground, covered
with moss and well cared for.
The afflicted mother listened all
around to hear the heart Of her
child, and out Of millions of the
most tender plants she recognized
it.
"There it isp' cried she, and she
stretched her hand over a little Gro
Gus bloom that stood sickly and
withering there.
"Touch it not" said the old wo-
man, ''but stay where thou art, and
when Death cOmes-I expect him
every minute-do not allow him to
take this little plant. Tell him thou
wilt tear some of his roses to pieces
and he will become frightened, for
he is responsible to God for every
flower"
Suddenly a change came. It
grew cold in the hall and the blind
mother felt that death had come.
s'How hast thou found thy way
hereg' asked lie. allow couldst
thou arrive sooner than I?''
81 am mother" was all she re-
piled.
And Death stretched his long arm
to take that little fower-she Gov
cred it with her hands-Death blew
his cold breath upon them, and they
fell powerless beside her.
Against me thou canst do moth
ing" said Death.
"God can," said she.
aIIis will 1 do" answered Death,
"I have to take all these plants and
flowers, one after the other, and car
ry them into his Paradise garden
the unknown land, but how they are
provided for there I dare not tell.
"Give me back my childr' cried
the mother, seizing the flowers
not seeing which, as she was blind
-"Tn destroy these! I am in de-
spairr'
"Do not" said Death, mildly,
"thou art already unhappy-shall
another mother be equally sop
"Another mother?' said she, and
let go the flowers.
"There, take the eyes," Death
said, "eyes get fairer by weeping,
as hearts become purer by mourn
ing. 1 took them out of the lake;
and now look down into the well
near thee. viii call the two flow
ers thou vert about to destroy, and
their destiny shall be related to
thee"
Now the mother looked down into
the well, and was rejoiced to see
how the one would become a bless
ing to mankind; how much happi-
ness it would give and gather
around it. But she looked upon
the future life ofthe other, and that
was trouble and sorrow, and shame
and misery.
"All thou seest here is only Gods
will, said Death.
"Which one is the flower of sOF
rowY' asked she; "and which the
blessed oneT'
81 shall not tell; but one thing
thou mayest know: One Of thos'
flowers was thine own child; thoJ
hast seen the destiny Of thy child
aThen," cried the mother, louC
with terror, ''which one is my child
Tell me that! Save the unhappy
child! save 1t from all that misery
Take it hence! take, oh, take it in
to the Paradise of God! FOrgiv,
my tears; forgive what 1 have sai'
and doner'
81 do not understand thee" sai'
Death. sShan I give back tn
child, or shall I take it to the un
known landY'
But the mother could not speal
| now-folding her hands upon he
breast she prayed, "Hear me not
hear me not, if pray against tn
will.n
The head sank down upon he