The Van Buren press., 1876-03-07
NO. ~

purlng your long ABSENCE, navln4 e01oy-
ed each Others society only by letter, We
so fondIy anticipated the timc when Va
could mingle our voices together In &C.
cents warm from affections dictation, q
We should breathe the baImy Dir, o Il u
waited from the refreshing bowers. but,
my dearest. am better; my God has
ten my recovery that L may not fear to
talk too long, or you fear that I may b
wearied by bearing" Asif. IN nce.l of
of rest, she calmly closed her eyes ssf
watching BY her side as she passed into
quiet sleep. She breathed we'll, and I
thought it was rest to her. After somS
hours she awokc, and expressed herself
as being much refreshed. The phyaician
came that night, and said Indications
we're favorable; but that IL was = low
grade Of disease, very subject to relapse.
He said the disease was caused BY hnea4
thing the poisonous exhalations from the
body Of poor woman, who had died
with nm open cancer, upon whom Swan.
nena had bestowed much care for good
while before her death.
Swannena gradually improved from
day to day. Hope began. to brighten the
faces Of the parents. The servants now
looked cheerful. as IL aome bounty vas
about to reach them. enjoyed the luz
ury Of looking on her daily. But little
more than week after my arrival, left
her doing we'll to all appearances. Her
cheerful looks, and caressing words, babe
me be comforted. left her, that sfter.
noon, full of hope that We should be IA.
king excursions where we could pluck
from natures bowers food for cnnobiinR
thought. l had cherished many Al idea,
in my absence from her, that had hoped
to have the pleasure Of laying before her
for her Investigation, on our meeting
again. So, now, ideas Of future pleasure
came thronging home as | passed from
the sick chamber. I almost felt that
was realizing my fond anticipations.
Toward midnight runner came to
summon me to hasten to her side When
arrived, found the physician there,
who informed me that she had relapsed
suddenly, and that the powers Of life
were almost compromised.
As entered the door Of her room, she
glanced her eyes toward me wildly, and
made motion to draw the cover over her
face, AS IL frightened; but as ! approach
ed nearer, Sue let the cover fall back. -
she smiled and said: ut is my darling,
am not afraid OF him" When reach.
ed her bedside, saw indications Of fatal
prostration. She afcctionately took my
hand, though she appeared to have no
power to express her feelings. Her pa.
rents, and the whole household, we're
overwhelmed with anguish at the pros.
pcct that the life and pride OF their home,
conferred In this only child, Was 70 b
snatched from their fond care By relent.
less death. As the tide OF LIE ebbed
away, she became calmer; she said:
II perceive that my time with you aad
other loved.ones. is drawing to span.
As we cannot have 1t otherwise, however
it may thwart our fondest hopes, It be.
comes us to submit with dutiful resigna.
ton"
She expressed the hope " that other
scenes and precious objects might afford
me comfort when 1t could no longer be
her delightful privilege to essay to make
me happy" As she finished these words
gently approached her, and pressing ny
lips to hers, prayed with all the fervency
of my soul, that she might be spared 70
life Sne said something OF my remen.
bering her, as she turned her eyes toward
me- o! that she could know that nev.
er can forget her. my soul IN agony
breathed! She said death had no hof-
rors for her; that no gloomy shadows
hung portcntiousIy over her future. That
she is ever subject to Divine ordinance;
no less her guide when life has 6ed." Il
some precious words, she bade me IN
eternal adieu. ! looked ON in helpless
agony, till she had ceased the mortal
struggle, and her body left in the unwa-
king slumber of death! 1t was wreck
OF that beloved home 1t would be use-
less to search for words to express what
sorrow then possessed me! Notwith-
standing the many lessons Of wisdom and
resignation she had impressed upon me.
! could find no sustaining philosophy!
followed her remains to their narrow
home, trying to find repose for my aching
heart
Many years have passed away, and Of
ten have | stood By that precious grave,
where flowers. year after year, have
sprung up and flourshed, and waved, and
sent their fragrance 10 the winds; and
though. with me, these many years have
faded from time and the carcs Of many
days have left their imprint on my Wis
age still, with undiminished affection,
can say there never has been to me anoth-
er Swannena Still, we have the COM
fortng assurance that she Is not lost;
but is safe in the care of Him who has
not left single atom in all creation with
ont guiding law
Gentle reader. while l pen these lines,
my eyes are dmmed with streaming
tears Would to God that il had been
my privilege TO have seen that precious
life prolonged. so, that instead OF these
sorrowful reflections, could have viewed
the beauties as they developed from her
fertile mind. 1t is ever my delight that
knew her, q continual regret that hsd
to part with her. But, alas is there any
happiness, here on earth, that docs not
have its counterpart in grief?
BENARDO SCHUABEiN.
A CmLp's HEAvEN-Children OF deli
cate natures are always fond of birds. A
beautiful child of mine, who died At six