The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-06-29
Selfrt Shry.
Death and Burial Of Little Nell
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

For she was dead.o There, upon her
little bed, she lay at rest. The solemn
stiffness was no marvel now. 81 F5t7-ss
q She was dead. No sleep so beautiful
and calm, so free from trace Of pain, so
fair to look upon She seemed crea-
ture fresh from the hands Of God, and
waiting for the breath of life; not one
who had lived and 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 I die put me near something
that has loved the light, and had the sky
above it always - These were her
words. ~, -,..'i.... .....,.ts,...,1.
She was dead. Dear, gentle, patient,
noble Nell was dead. Her little bird-a
poor slight thing the pressure of finger
would lave crushed-was stirring MIN
bly, in lis cage; and the strong heart of
its child hilld mistress was sm mute and motion notion
less forever s,,o,e.ra=. -. ,,l+t
Where, were the traces Of her early
cares, her sutferings and fatigue.?:s All
gone, Here was theit true, death before
their eyes. Sorrow was dead indeed in
her, but peace and perfect happiness
were born, imaged is her tranquil beauty
and profound repose. - ze;.,7ars go.
And still her former self lay there,un-
altered inthiss cnange. Yes. The old
fireside had smiled upon that same sweet
face; it had passed like a,dresm7 through
iiaunts of misery and care at the door
of the poor schoolmaster on the summer
evening, before the furnace fire upon the
cold, wet night.at the still bedside Of the
dying boy, there hal been the same,
mild, lovely look. So shall we know the
angels in their majesty, after death.
The old man held the ianguid arm in
his, and the smaIl hand tightly folded to
his breast, for warmth. 1t was the hand
she 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 his1ips; then hugged ii
to his breast again, murmuring that il
was warmer now; and Us he said it, he
looked in agony to those who stood
around, as If imploring them to help
her. 'if '-5H1i'l',ll1 =
She was dead, and past all help, OF
need of it. The room she had seemed
to fill with life, even while her own was
waning fast:-the garden she had glad.
dened-the 'noiseless haunts of many s
tthoughtiess 'hour-the paths she had
trodden asthough it were but yesterday
could know her no more. 597 IL
"It is not" said the schoolmaster, as
he bent down to kiss her on the cheek
and gave his tears free vent, s.it is not in
this world where heavens justice ends
Think what it is, compared with ths
world to which her young spirit ha.
winged its fight, and say, if one delibe
rate wish expressed in solemn terms
above this bed could call her back t.
life, which Of as would utter it?" o..
| When morning came, and they coult
speak more calmly on the subject o
their grief, they heard how her life hat
| closed. y ". 5'.A' 9hi ie }iffai
= = She had been dead two days. They
were all about her at the time, KNOWN,
that the end was drawing near She die
soon after daybreak. They could tel, b.
what she family murmured in her dreams
that they were Of her journeyings wit
the old man; they were OF no painfr
scenes, bat OF those who had helped AN
used them kindly, for she often said, go
bless you" with great fervor. Waking
she never wandered in her mind bu
once, and that was at beautiful must
j which she said was in the air, Go
| knhws. 1t may have been. 'fo' 20
Opening her eyes at last, from a yer
quiet sleep, she begged that they woul
: kiss her once again. That done. sh
!. turned to the old man with a lovely smil
on her face-such, they said, as they ha
never seen, and never could forget-sn
clnng with both her arms about his necl