Saint Mary's beacon., 1873-09-18
DEATH AND BURIAL OF LITTLE
NELL.
By CHARLES DICKENS.

For she was dead. There. upon her
little bed she lay at rest. The solemn
stiffness was no marvel now.
She was dead. No sleep so beautiful
and calm, SO free from trace of pain, so
fair to look upon. She seemed a creature
fresh from the hands of God, and waiting
for the breath of life; not one who had
lived aud suffered death.
Her couch was dressed with here and
there some winter berries and green
leaves, gathered in spot where she had
been used to favor.
when die put near me something
that has loved the light, and had the sky
above it always" These were her words.
She was dead. Dear. gentle, patient,
noble Nell was dead. Her little bird-a
poor. slight thing the pressure of finger
would have crushed, was stirring nimbly
in its cage; and the strong heart of its
child mistress was mute and motionless
forever.
Where were the traces of her early
cares, her sufferings and fa.igue1. All
gone. Hers was the true death before
their weeping eyes. Sorrow was dead
indeed in her, but pence and perfect hap
Tp'ness were born; imaged ID her Tranquil
beauty and profound rcpose.
! And still her former self Law there
unaltered in this change. Yes. The old
tiresidc had smiled upon that same sweet
face; it had passed ike dream through
haunts and misery of care; a. the door of
the poor sehoolmaster on the summer even.
ing. before the furnace fire upon the cold !,
wet night, at the still bedside of the dy.
ing boy. there had been the same mild
lovely look. So shall we know the angels
in their majesty, after death.
The old man held one languid arm in
his, and the small hand tightly folded 10
i,is breast. for warmth 1t was the hand
size had stretched out to him with her last
smile-the hand that led him on through
his wanderings. Ever and anon he
pressed it to his lips; then hugged it to
his breast again; murmuring that it was
warmer now; and as he said it, he looked
in agony to those who stood around, as If
lmploring them TO help her.
She was dead and past all help, or need
OF 1t. The ancient rooms she had seemed
to ill with life, even while her own was
waning tast-the garden she had tended
the eyes she had gladdened-the noise
less house of many a thoughtful hour
the paths she had troidcn as il were bat
yesterday-could know her no more.
"lt is not" said the schoolmaster. rs
he bent down to kiss her on the cheek.
and gave his tears free vent, cit is not
in this world that Heavens justice ends.
Think what 1t is, compared with the world
to which her young spirit has winged its
fight, and say. if one deliberate wish
expressed in solemn terms above this bed
could call her back to life, which of US
would utter it p
When morning came and they could
speak more calmly on the subject Of their
grief. they heard how her life had closed.
She had been dead two days. They
were all abour her at the time, knowing
that the eod was drawing on. She died
soon after daybrcak. They had read and
talked to her in the earlier portion Of the
night. bu: as sac hours creps on, she sunk
to sleep. They could tell. By what she
faintly murmured in her dreams, that
they were of her jourueyines with the old
man; they were Of no painful scenes, but
Of those who had helped and used them
kindly. for she often said, "God bless
yoa!" with great fervor. Waxing, she
never wandered in her mind but once,
aud that was at beautiful music which she
said was in the air. God knows. Ii may
have been.
Opening her eyes at last, from o very
quiet sleep. she begged that they would
kiss her orce again. That done she
turned to the old man with lovely smile
upon her face--snch. they said. rs they
bad nerer seen. and never corlS forget
sud clung with both her arms about his
neck. They did no, know that she was
dead. ~ first.
.
And now the bell-the bell she bad %
often heard by nigh, aud day. and listened
TO With solemn pleasure almost ~ living
voice-ruug Its remorseless toll for her,
50 youns. 20 beautiful. 50 good. Deere
pid age, aud vigorous life, and blooming
youth. and helpless infancy, poured fourth
--on erutches. in the pride Of strength
and health, ip the fr.l blush of promise.