Frons " Villagr I'aies," 6y Stacy c. Potts.

 THE BURIAL.
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"And where is he ?-not by her side,

 "Whose every want he loved to tend."

 The morning had been cold and wet, but as the meridian approached, the clouds be. gan to disperse, and the sun, gradually breaking through the heavy wreaths ot overshadowing gloom sprinkleda a thousand glories amid the dripping glass blades, and spread splendid rainbow above the drift ing scuds, that filled the western skies, as I ascended the green hill by path that led to the late dwelling of MT. Wilter. The three roads that terminated on the hill top, were lined with persons on foot, on horse- back, and in various vehicles, all plodding on towards the already crowded dwelling, and gave ample evidence ofthe estimation in which the departed one had been held in the ncighborhood.

 pushed my way into the house, that might look once more upon the face of my young friend, before it was hid away forey- CT from mortal vision. But numbers pres- sed towards the lifeless corpse, and the un- dertaker was already come to screw down the coffin lid, and waited only for the rela- tives of the deceased to bid a last adieu to his cold remains, SO that I was unable to accomplish my purpose only heard them say that he looked natural, that he had died in a scorching fever, the last flush of which had hardly worn from his cheek. A short and breathless pause ensued: then a momentary stir, accompanied with a voice, stand backs few low, deep trem- bling sobs succeeded, and the lid closed :. and l heard the screws driven in. The confused tread of many feet followed the crowd gathered round without, and at last the bright polished mahogany coffin bro't out and laid carefully and softly down up- on the bier.

 A deep solemnity rested upon the crowd tor moment; every eye was turned pen- sively and sadly toward that spectacle and the language of many heart seemed :- He is, what shall be 2 The gulph tha, divides eternity from time seemed then So narrow, that almost thought could see beyond it. Death stood before me real. ity, and reminded me of that great change which is hastening to pass upon all men But two days before, the form that was en. closed in that narrow abode, walked up. right before men, and talked and laughed as gaily, and unsuspectingly, as any who nowstood around it. But this was all over. The signet had been set-and the spirit had gone to its last account.

 Wrapt in these concentrations I stood and gazed, until the carriers had lifted uu the bier. and removed some distance to. wards the village church, the glitterin, spire of which blazed now, in bright sun above the green trees at the foot of the hill

 The sable clad mourners slowly de scended from the piazza, and moved witt faulteripg step, towards it. The long pro cession formed in the rear, and the whol, began to wind slowly down the yilag, road.

 The tendency of men to levity in thei proneness to forget every warning tn, faithlessness of friendship, began dread, to appear. The smile of merriment re turned gradually; the affairs of the da, were familiarly discussed and the plans and prospects, and business of commo, life, occupied every tongue around me- The mourners alone appeared to feel tn stroke--alone to remember with sorro, it's effects. And yet he who had fallen i the morning of life. was an associate, companion, and friend of these. Wh was it sol I know the answer that is req dy. 1t is the way ofthe world.

 At last we reached the church yard, an, the cofiin was let down into tho cold. .iay,I grave the loose straw and gravel va thrown ID upon it, and the burial connie ted ID haste which almost betokened i'm