Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER XXVIII.

  Ah! now again all my sensations move to see a parent, and I sigh once more to meet the kind caresses of a father--and weeks seem ages in this separation.

  The feelings of Alida were those of boundless joy to meet again herparents, after an absence from them which appeared long to her.

  She was grieved to find her father had suffered much from indispositionduring her absence. She endeavoured in vain, by every soothingattention, to recall him again to health and happiness. His maladyincreased daily, and he became a prey to infirmities, which at lengthconfined him to his room.

  The gladsome sensations of Albert were changed soon to those ofmelancholy, when he saw that his father was affected with a seriousillness, and dejection supplied the place of more happy and animatedfeelings.

  Alida, for several weeks, scarce left the apartment. One morning sheperceived that he had altered very materially for the worse. It was onlyat intervals he could converse with her, and then his conversation wascalculated to give her fortitude and resignation, and prepare her mindfor an approaching melancholy event, which, whenever she received theleast hint of, her grief was inexpressible.

  Her father observed her emotion. "Alida, my dear child," said he, "donot be alarmed, as I appear much worse than I am in reality at present;"but she had drawn these words from the physician that morning, that hismalady had increased greatly since the day before. Perceiving a visiblechange in his appearance, she scarcely left the room of her father tilla late hour, when he, perceiving her almost fainting with fatigue,requested her to retire to rest. Albert supplied the place of hissister, and remained with his father, while the affectionate care of hisonly surviving son was grateful to the bosom of a fond parent.

  The slumbers of Alida were broken, and fearing to leave her father toolong, she arose very early next morning to attend him. He was evidentlymuch worse next day, which was Sunday, and intimated that he wished allthe family sent for. He then requested Alida to read some passages inthe bible, as was his daily custom.

  "'Leave thy fatherless children to me and I will be their father,' whatwords of consolation are these," said he, "what transport do they conveyto the heart of a parent, burthened with anxiety. Yes, divine Disposer,"he exclaimed, "I will, with grateful joy, commit my children to thy kindcare and protection."

  When the physician made his morning visit, as he was going to takeleave, Alida asked his opinion. He shook his head, and seemed to give nohopes of recovery.

  Her father requested her to be seated by the bedside. "My child," saidhe, "I wish to discourse a little with you. And could I again seeTheodore, how gladly would I now receive him. I have deeply injuredhim," said he, "and my child too; and have inflicted a wound stilldeeper in my own bosom. I have often considered his piety and worth. Hismoral character was all that it should be. Superfluous wealth is notnecessary to ensure earthly felicity, but a competency and contentmenttherewith, is all that is necessary to happiness."

  "Do not renew your sorrows, dear father," said Alida, "what is past isbeyond recall. Let us confide in a just over-ruling Providence, thatdisposes all material events for the wisest purposes." Her tears flowedin abundance, as her looks rested upon the visage of her father, anddeep distress was depicted in her countenance.

  "My dear child," said her father, "weep not for me, think that rest mustnow be acceptable to the weary traveller, whose hopes are centred in theRedeemer, (as the only name under Heaven, whereby we can be saved,) andcan leave the world in the joyful anticipation of receiving thoseinestimable blessings, in a life to come, which the Gospel promises toevery true believer."

  He had scarcely uttered these words, when he sunk almost senseless uponhis pillow. The greater part of the family now assembled round him. Thephysician came and gave no hopes of recovery. He faithfully watched overhim the whole evening and a part of the night, and about twelve o'clockhis family had the sorrow and misfortune to witness the distressful andtrying scene. Their father was no more.

  The distress, fatigue and agitation of Alida, could no longer be bornewith, and for many weeks she was confined to her room. The loss of herparent and the terminating scene, had left her in deep affliction: allrepose seemed fled forever, and bitter anguish had succeeded, and takenup its residence in her bosom. Reflections rose in her mind continually,that her situation had been heretofore comparatively happy, to what itat present afforded. An illness of short duration had suddenly deprivedher of a very dear father, and she now felt herself a lonely, dejectedorphan.