Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-09
THE BIRD CARADRI0N.

THE BlkU CAkAUhlUN.
In a darkened room, by the bedside OF
q dying man, sat \ woman, She had not
counted more than some five and twenty
summers, thougl, o-day she might have
passed for years older, so sad and woe
besone was her aspect. And who could
wonders for the sick man she tended was
her londly -loved husband, and he, alas
was dying.
The Doctor shook his head mournfnlly
whenever she asked, again and again,
"Tell me, oh. tell, will lie liveF
There seemed indeed no hope. The
young creature now sat mute, petreiied
with grief, aud he who erewhile had
been strong and sturdy lay motionless
and still. 1t was scarcely possible to
tell if life yet dwelt in the body His
breathing was so faint it hardly dimmed
the glass they held before his mouth.
'He sleeps" spoke the Doctor, who
had just entered softly. $50 down,
dear child, and rest,' he said, turning
to the watcher.
In very truth he deemed the patient
was about to pass from earthly slumber
to heavenly repose, and wished to save
her the sad sight.
"Then should rest beside him." she
answered, resolutely.
The Doctor did not reply, and quilted
the sick-room with hushed steps.
Still the invalid stirred not, but lay
on in the condition Of neither life nor
death. At last the wife rose from her
seat, and, approaching the darkened
window, lifted corner Of the blind
Within the room all was oppressive
stiffness, gloom. and sorrow; without
there was life, light, and joy. 1t was
spring. The trees wore their greenest
and prettiest earb pale primroses and
white daisies pied the earth; the fruit
trees stood in fullest snowy blossom
Below, in the little garden, on which
the window looked, two children-a little
girl of five years old, with long, flaxen
curls, that shimmered in the sunshine
and her baby brother were at play or
the soft, green sward. The little one was
growing merrily at the elder ones antics
holding out his chubby fair arms al
though he would seize all this pleasure
within them. The nurse stood beside,
looking down with grave, sad face.
Hush! Miss Effie,' she said, as thu
merriment grew too boisterous; hush
or yon will awaken poor papa
Poor papav repeated the child, ant
she was silent for moment. But soo1
the game recommended, only NOR
quietly than before. For what knew
the little ones heart-sorrOw, or sickness
unto deathy The wife surveyed th
scene, and heavey sigh.
"They are glad and happy; they enjo!
the SUNSHINE offspring" she murmured
"meanwhile their father is dying" He
tones were half bitter and reproachful
though full of tenderness.
She let the corner Of the blind dro]
orce more. The sight had done her NJ
GOOD: it had rather torn her wound
afresh. The gloom and darkness of tn
sick chamber better suited her frame o
mind.
So the day passed. The children, tire'
out with play and laughter rested il
their cots. The mother went into tn
nursery and with saddened mein ben
over each little bed to give her wontet
evening kiss. Effie sprung up when sh
saw her approach.
Here is a kiss for poor papa" sh
whispered, as she encircled her mother
neck with her chubby, soft arms. ID
you know, mama, the story he used t.
toll, ms about the bird with the har'
name? can't remember It,"
aWhat bird, my child! asked tn
mother listlessly. Her thoughts wer
wandering, and she hardly took in VIVA
the little girl said.