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the Scripture? "Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou
knowest not what a day may bring forth;" and the holy man who
admonishes to "rejoice with trembling," well knew the slender
foundation on which all earthly bliss is based.
The day broke bright and cheerful; the morning prayers, never
forgotten in this truly Christian household, were over, and the gifts and
greetings exchanged; the village bell rang out clear on the frosty air,
and sounded rejoicingly as it called the humble community to give
thanks in the little old-fashioned church, as the custom was on
Christmas-day. In the Raymond cottage the good dinner was eaten, and
when the sun had gone down behind the mountains, the Christmas-tree
was once more lighted up; and although not quite as well laden or as
brilliant as on the evening before, it nevertheless illumined the cottage,
and continued very attractive. It had been a happy day, and as they sat
beside their evening fire, thinking over the many enjoyments and
blessings that had marked its course, New Year's-day was the next
point of expectation, and many were the pleasures to be enjoyed on that
day, as well as many new prospects planned to be executed within the
year. Ah! they saw not how the dark wing of the angel of Death was
sweeping over them, nor could they forebode that from this night their
path was to be a stern and rugged one.
In the evening of the day after Christmas, when Raymond returned
from his work, he complained of feeling unwell, and his sickness
increasing hourly, his earthly course was terminated in a few days; and
instead of the promised pleasure on New Year's-day, his corpse

occupied the lowly room. It was a mournful New Year's-day in the
home of the widow and the fatherless. Margaret, passive in her
affliction, for she was stunned by its suddenness, sat gazing with
tearless eyes upon the corner where the dim outline of a human form
was seen under its white covering; and little William, turning his eyes
alternately from his pale mother to the corpse of his father, was too
much awe-stricken by the presence of the dread destroyer to utter a
word.
It was not until after the remains of poor Raymond had been laid in the
grave, and the widow had returned to her desolate cottage, that she
experienced the full weight of her heavy burden. Even when death
comes slowly, when sickness, pain, and long suspense have made the
issue certain, it is hard for the bereaved to realize the dread event; but
when the scythe of the destroyer has passed so quickly over, when the
home is made so speedily desolate, and the place vacant, is it wonderful
that to the stricken mourner all seems dark, discerning no light behind
the overshadowing cloud? But none, dear reader, are afflicted more
than they can bear; the words of worldly wisdom would fall upon the
ear unheard, but the sacred balm poured out upon the bruised heart by
the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter promised by
our Saviour, soothes the soul into submission, and whispers, "Be still,
and know that I am God; I will not forsake the widow, nor shall the
orphan be forgotten."
It was not long until the pious Margaret recognised the hand by which
she had been smitten; and the first stunning effect of her grief being
past, with the same patient, humble, and calm spirit that had always
characterized her in her prosperous days, she prepared to make
arrangements for a more frugal course of life than that they had hitherto
maintained, although the housekeeping had always been of the most
simple order. She could not afford to keep the cottage in which they
had lived so happily; the vines her husband's hand had trained, the
flowers she had planted, the little garden which they both had delighted
to keep in order, must pass into the hands of strangers; and the thought
of leaving a place so dear by association gave an additional pang to the
grief already so great. She looked upon her child, her last, her only

treasure, and blessing God that this comfort was still spared, she
resolved to exert every energy in the endeavour to bring him up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord. Great was her adversity, but He
who watches over the sparrow and feeds the raven had raised up friends
for her time of need.
The cottage in the suburbs was speedily let to another tenant; but their
landlord, Nicholas Herman, the baker, found a room, an attic indeed,
but comfortable, in a house adjoining his own; and from the time in
which she took possession both himself and his good wife showed her
every kindness within their