The Delaware Gazette

Miscellanr.
From the Raleigh Star.

DUELLING.
A FRAGMENT.

A stream of light issued from the window; several persons were seen passing within, and the moanings of sorrow could not be mistaken. I approached nearer.

On a bed lay a female apparently in the agonies of death, and on the right side kneeled a little girl of about 11 years of age, whose grief was loud. On the other side stood a boy of about 15—he was engaged in prayer; and the emotions of grief, despair and hope were alternately and strikingly exemplified.

An old woman, who from her appearance had seen many moons, was preparing some medicine at a table, while a male child, just able to talk, stood prattling near the pillow. "I will go to bed with mama," said the child. "Your mama, my dear is very ill," sobbed the son.—The child would not be restrained. "O! mama, why dont you speak? it is your little Frank. How I will scold the doctor man, he has made my mama sick—let me kiss my mama; when she was well she used to smile and call me her good little boy—now she looks so sad and so white—she dont smile now," added he mournfully. At this simple but heart touching effusion, those present burst into tears. It was not the obstreperous gust of thoughtless despair which evaporates in sound, but that tender indefinable sensation produced by a sudden impulse of heart too great for silence, and is refined by tears. It seemed to re-light the vital taper which burned tremulously in the expiring parent; she opened her eyes. "My child," said she—an awful silence prevailed—"my children your mother leaves you in a few moments; all before me is dark, nor can I presume to foretell my future destiny. The hope I have in the First Cause gladdens my dying moments; to Him alone I resign whatever part of me may survive this wreck of matter: He will do with that part whatever he designed when he formed it; nor can the supplications of a worm alter the Eternal will! I could therefore depart without a sigh, without a fear; but ye helpless, friendless orphans, where will ye find another parent? In the great wilderness of the world you will be lost, or savage man will devour you. This good woman, who has shared my better days, will not desert my children when I am no more." She ceased. The silver cord was about to snap—the invisible fire was about extinct, and nature's finest production was about to become a mass of inert matter!! The youngest boy, who with a brimful eye had been attentively contemplating the pallid visage of his expiring parent, exclaimed, "mama, give your little Francis one more kiss—" 'twas too late——she cast a look of maternal tenderness on the child, sank on her pillow, and expired.

This fine woman, beautiful even when encircled in the chilly arms of the omnivorous tyrant, married early in life the man she loved. They were not wealthy; but had enough. In a state of uncommon serenity they passed several years, till fate snatched away the husband, who was slain in a Duel. This melancholy event hastened her dissolution, and she died of a broken heart!!! Thou fiend in human shape, thou advocate for duelling, approach yon silent bed; gaze on that lovely form, whom indirectly thy blood stained arm has laid low. See the fair flower thy pestiferous breath has blasted—mark the weeping orphans whom thou hast abandoned to the mercy of a rude stream; then ask thy heart if this be charity.

Where yon willow hangs its mournful head, and courts the melancholy tombstone, lies the victim of thy deadly passions. The father of a family, their only stay upon earth, is cut off. Thou hast sapped the trunk, & the withered branches bestrew the plain. What compensation canst thou make for the evils thou hast committed. Like a ruthless demon carnage and desolation have marked thy progress, but thy peace has received a wound which time cannot heal.