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The child sat down, in this old, silent place, among the stark figures
on the tombs - they made it more quiet there, than elsewhere, to her
fancy - and gazing round with a feeling of awe, tempered with a calm
delight, felt that now she was happy, and at rest. She took a Bible
from the shelf, and read; then, laying it down, thought of the summer
days and the bright springtime that would come - of the rays of sun
that would fall in aslant, upon the sleeping forms - of the leaves that
would flutter at the window, and play in glistening shadows on the
pavement - of the songs of birds, and growth of buds and blossoms
out of doors - of the sweet air, that would steal in, and gently wave the
tattered banners overhead. What if the spot awakened thoughts of
death! Die who would, it would still remain the same; these sights and
sounds would still go on, as happily as ever. It would be no pain to
sleep amidst them.
She left the chapel - very slowly and often turning back to gaze again -
and coming to a low door, which plainly led into the tower, opened it,
and climbed the winding stair in darkness; save where she looked
down, through narrow loopholes, on the place she had left, or caught
a glimmering vision of the dusty bells. At length she gained the end of
the ascent and stood upon the turret top.
Oh! the glory of the sudden burst of light; the freshness of the fields
and woods, stretching away on every side, and meeting the bright blue
sky; the cattle grazing in the pasturage; the smoke, that, coming from
among the trees, seemed to rise upward from the green earth; the
children yet at their gambols down below - all, everything, so beautiful
and happy! It was like passing from death to life; it was drawing
nearer Heaven.
The children were gone, when she emerged into the porch, and locked
the door. As she passed the school-house she could hear the busy
hum of voices. Her friend had begun his labours only on that day. The
noise grew louder, and, looking back, she saw the boys come trooping
out and disperse themselves with merry shouts and play. 'It's a good
thing,' thought the child, 'I am very glad they pass the church.' And
then she stopped, to fancy how the noise would sound inside, and
how gently it would seem to die away upon the ear.
Again that day, yes, twice again, she stole back to the old chapel, and
in her former seat read from the same book, or indulged the same
quiet train of thought. Even when it had grown dusk, and the
shadows of coming night made it more solemn still, the child
remained, like one rooted to the spot, and had no fear or thought of
stirring.
They found her there, at last, and took her home. She looked pale but
very happy, until they separated for the night; and then, as the poor
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