r stout
assaults. That early, and most trying, unaccountable sorrow of his
life, the loss of his beloved Clinton, still chastened his joy, and
returned at times in all the freshness of its agony: and it was
rendered more poignant and lasting by the painful mystery which
concealed his fate, and fed suspense, and excited solicitous thoughts
and cares.

But faith had a power so to lift and sustain the troubled spirit, and
draw it away from communion with its griefs, he enjoyed a preponderance
of elevated bliss. He had loved his parents with an affection which
could endure the loss of their society only with the hope of having
them restored to him hereafter; and many of his pleasures had been
sobered, and life itself became more serious, and at times more
desolate, since they both had been gathered to the grave. But there
was a serene and unsubduable joy of the spirit abiding all the assaults
of sorrow, that shone forth like gold from the fire of the refiner, and
glowed like cheerful sunshine through the dusky wings of a storm.

His home had still remaining much solid happiness, for Julia lived to
participate his fortune, to share his affliction, and strengthen his
hopes; and the genial ardors of her youth, with love of Nature, and
delight in rural fellowships, though calmed and refined by suffering,
were yet her being's light and joy. Her simple home, and its peaceful
scenes, and lovely enjoyments, were symbols to her mind, not
unprophetic of the home of the soul on high.

It was a simple home, for their new frame house was not then commenced,
except in the piles of boards and shingles that were gathering around
the barn; but what if there was no embroidered muslin, or garish damask
at the windows, and they looked through little narrow panes of blue and
blistered glass? Did not their eyes find a recompense in the twinkling
wings and warbling songs that flitted and floated in the air around?
and in glorious landscapes of fields, and waters, and woods, that a
glance could catch and hold through the smallest light! Did not the
curtains of verdure beneath and about, and the infinite canopy of
splendid sky above, make the bravest of all ambitious ornaments hung by
man or woman's hands, look little and coarse as a rag of baize?

One only sorrow remained for Julia to conquer; and how could the
triumph be won? She sorrowed still for the loss of her lovely
first-born. She could not doubt but God permitted it in love. P