Year: 1859

llJJle EDWARD was IN inc case, Jnougn ne
would stand rubbing his spectacles quar-
ter of an hour longer than common, when
Aunt Betsey was detailing his witticisms
and clever doings. But in progress of time
our hero encompassed his third year and
arrived at the dignity Of going to school.
He went illustriously through the spelling
book, attacked the catechism, went from
''mans chief end" to the commandment"
in fortnight, and at last came home inor-
dinarlly merry, to tell his father he had got
to "Amen." After this he made a regular
business of saying over the whole every
Sunday evening, standing with his hands
folded in front, and his checked apron
smoothed down, occasionally giving glance
over his shoulder to sec if papa was attend
ing Being of very benevolent turn of
mind, be made several efforts 10 teach Rose
the catechism, in which he succeeded as
well as could be expected. In short, with
out further detail, Master Edward bade fair
to become a literary wonder. But alas for
poor little Edward, his merry dance was
soon over. A day came when he sckened.
Aunt Betsey tried her whole herbarium,
but in vain; he grew rapidly worse and
verse. His father sickened in heart, but
said nothing; be staid by his bedside day
and night, trying all means to save with af-
fectiug pertinacity. "Can't you think of any
thing more, doctorw said he to the physic-
ian, when everything had been tried in vain.


Nothing" answered the physician. A
slight convulsion passed over my uncles
face. "Then the Lords will be done :" said
he. Just at that moment ray of the set
ting sur pierced tho checkered curtains, and
cleaned like an angels smile across the face
of the little sufferer. He awoke from
disturbed sleep. "Oh, dear, oh, l am so
sick y he gasped feebly. His father raised
him in his arms; he breathed easier and
looked up with a grateful smile.


Just then, his old playmate, the cat,
crossed the floor. 'There goes pussy" said
he, "Oh, dear, never shall play with pussy
any MORE" At that moment a. deadly
change passed over his face, he looked up
to his father with an imploring expression
and put out his hands. There was one mo-
ment of agony, and the sweet features set
tied with a smile of peace, and mortality
'was swallowed up in life My uncle laid


him down, and looked ope moment at his
beautiful FACET was too much for his
pride, and he lifted up his voice and wept.


The next morning was the Sabbath, the
funeral day, and it rose with breath all in
cense, and with check all bloom. Uncle
Abel was calm and collected as ever; but
in his face there was sorrow-stricked ex-
preston that could not be mistaken. | re-
member him at family prayers, bending over
the great Bible, and beginning the psalm,
"Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in
all generations" Apparently he was
touched by the melancholy and spendor of
the poetry; for after reading few verses
he stopped There was dead silence, in
terrupted only by the tick of the clock
He cleared his voice repeatedly to go on
but in vain. He closed the book and knelt
in prayer. The energy of sorrow broke
through his formal reverence, and his Ian
guage flowed forth with deep and sorrow
ful pathos, which have never forgotten. The
God so much reverenced, so much feared,
seemed to draw near to him as friend and
comforter, to be his refuge and strength,
very present hel p in time of trouble"-
Ny uncle arose-I saw him walk towards
the room of the departed one-I followed
and stood with him over the dead. He un-
covered his face. 1t was set with the seal
of death, but oh, how surprisingly lovely
was the impression The briliancy of life
was gone: but the face was touched with the
mysterious, triumphant brightness which
seems like the dawnng Of heaven. My
uncle looked long and steadily. He felt
the beauty of what he gazed on; his heart
was softened, but he had no words for his
feelings. He left the room unconsciously,
and stood at the front door, The bells
were ringing for church; the morning was
bright, and birds were singing merrily, and
the little pet squirrel of little Edward was
frolicking about the door.


Ny uncle watched him as he ran, firstup
one tree, then another, then over the fence,
whisking his brush and chattering as if
nothing was the matter. With deep
sigh Uncle Abel broke forth, "How happy
that creature is well, the Lords will be
DONE" That day the dust was committed
to the dust amid the lamentations of all
who had known little Edward. Years have
passed since then and my uncle has long
been gathered to his fathers, but his Just
and upright spirit has entered the liberty of
the sons of God. Yes, the good man may
have opinions which the philosophical scorn,
weaknesses at which the thoughtless smile,
but death shall change him into all that is
enlightened, wise and refined. "He shall
shine as the brightness of the armament
and as the stars forever and ever"


A New Source of WeaIth-,The Oil Trade.


We SEQ by the Pittsburg papers, that
there is considerable excitement in that re-
gion of country, respecting a subterranean
reservoir Of oil which has been recently dis
covered. Companies are engaged in dig
ging wells to obtain the oil. When pro
cured in its crude state it sells for 60 cents
per gallon. 1t does not cost more to pump
it up than cent per gallon and cents
more per galoa will pay for barrels and
transportation to Pittsburg, New York, or
Philadelphia. The refined oil is sold at a
much higher figure. This oil is petroleum,
a bituminous substance which is found float
ing on the water of springs. The excite
ment does not appear to be altogetherspec-
ulative, though possibly that may have
something TO do with the published ac-
counts Ono einnlnlar foot is p,ant;onod -