for those kind attentions. She insisted that I should lean upon her for
support, as we descended the stairs, and indeed I felt scarcely able to
walk without assistance.

On going below, I found several kind friends, who had remained with
Aunt Patience to render their assistance in any office of friendship we
might require. Mrs. Leighton accompanied me to the room where lay the
lifeless remains of my mother. I folded back the snowy napkin which
covered her face, and gazed long upon those dear features, now stamped
with the seal of death. As I gazed upon her now peaceful countenance, I
felt that to wish her back again would be almost a sin. I also derived
much comfort from the consoling words of Mrs. Leighton. I cannot dwell
longer upon these sorrows. When I stood at my mother's grave, and looked
down upon her coffin, after it had been lowered into the earth, I almost
wished that I too were resting by her side. Since that period I have
experienced other sorrows; but the sharpest pang I have ever felt, was
when I turned away from the graves where rested the remains of both
father and mother.

As I have before mentioned, Aunt Patience had, in the course of her
life, passed through many trying vicissitudes, and, previous to her
death, my mother had considered that we could make no better return for
the debt of gratitude we owed her than by making provision for her old
age. I say, with good reason, that we owed her a debt of gratitude, for,
during her residence with us, she had shown the utmost kindness to both
my mother and myself. And when my mother's health failed her, the care
and attentions of Aunt Patience were unceasing. With a view of making
provision for Aunt Patience, my mother had made arrangements that our
house should be sold, and the money deposited for her future benefit. In
making this arrangement, my mother wished me to accept of a portion of