Withered Leaves from Memory's Garland by Abigail Stanley Hanna
page 100 of 371 (26%)
page 100 of 371 (26%)
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It was a mild, peaceful Sabbath day when they bore her to the tomb. The mother placed a robe of white flannel upon her, imprinting as she did so, many kisses on the lily arms she had kissed so many times in all their warmth of living loveliness, when, with a smile upon her lips, and gladness in her eye, she raised them to her mother's lips to receive the proffered tokens of affection. And so they placed her in her coffin, with a tiny rosebud in either hand (for she would ever hold flowers longer than any thing else), to wither in their beauty with her, the pale perishing one. And the holy man read from the word of God the impressive lesson, "Behold thou hast made my days as a hand's breadth, and my age is as nothing before thee;" and offered up fervent prayer in behalf of the afflicted mourners, and little Mary was borne to the silent tomb. O, who that listened to that gentle autumn breeze that so softly sighed among the trees, and fanned the flower that bent slightly before it, but must feel that there is a God that orders the winds and the sea, and rules over the destinies of men. Sad were the hearts of the stricken parents as they returned to their little cottage, where everything reminded them of their dear lost child. Emma stood beside the vacant cradle, and asked many questions about the departed cousin. "Why did they take her from her cradle and put her in that little box?" But was ever comforted by calling her her angel cousin. |
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