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now partially soothed by the first balm of holy resignation； now alone； now accompanied by her friends。 Once； early that morning； the infirm mother was brought into the room to look for the last time on the face of her son； she was carried in a chair and placed by the coffin； then assisted to rise by Miss Agnes and her daughter Kate。 Her tears flowed long； falling on her boy's cold； but still beautiful features； she wiped them away herself； and with an humble phrase of resignation； in the words of Scripture； expressed the thought that ere long she should be laid by his side。 Her's was not the bitter； living grief of Patsey； she felt that she was near the grave herself。 Tears of gentle…hearted women were not the only tears which fell upon Charlie's bier； his uncles； his elder brothers； and more than one true friend were there。 But amid all the strong； contending emotions of those who crowded the humble room； who hung over the coffin； still that youthful form lay rigid in the fearful chill； the awful silence of death； he； whose bright eye； whose pleasant smile had never yet met the look of a friend without the quick glance of intellect； or the glow of kindly feeling。 Patsey felt the change； she felt that the being she loved was not all there； the dearer portion was already beyond her sightand with this reflection came the blessed consolations of Christian hope； for the unfeigned faith and the penitent obedience of the Christian； had been known to Charlie Hubbard from childhood； nor had they ever been forgotten by the young man。
Soon after sun…rise； friends and neighbours began to collect； they came from miles around； all classes and all agesfor the family was much respected； and their sudden bereavement had excited general compassion。 The little door…yard and the humble parlour were filled； with those who justly claimed the name of friends； the highway and an adjoining field were crowded with neighbours。
After a solemn prayer within the house； those who had loved the dead fixed their eyes for the last time on his features； the coffin was closed from the light； the body was carried for the last time over the threshold； it was placed on a carriage； and the living crowd moved away； following the dead； with the slow； heavy movement of sorrow。 The mother； the sisters； and the nearest female friends remained in privacy together at the house of mourning。 As the funeral train moved along the highway towards Longbridge； it gradually increased in length； the different dwellings before which it passed had their windows closed； as a simple token of sympathy； and on approaching the village； one bell after another was heard； tolling sadly。 The hearse paused for a moment before the house of Mr。 Joseph Hubbard； those who had come thus far in carriages alighted； and joined by others collected in the village； they moved from there on foot。 Several brother artists from New York； and other associates of the young man's； bore the cloth which covered his coffin； and immediately after the nearest relatives； the elder brothers； and the uncles； came Hazlehurst and de Vaux； with the whole party of the Petrel； and the crew of the little schooner： and sincerely did they mourn their young friend； it is seldom indeed that the simple feeling of grief and compassion pervades a whole funeral train so generally as that of the young artist。 But our poor Charlie had been much loved by all who knew him； he was carried to the grave among old friends of his family； in his native villageand there were many there capable of admiring his genius and respecting his character。 As the procession entered the enclosure it passed before a new…made grave； that of the negro sailor； who had been decently interred by the directions of de Vaux； on the preceding evening； the party of the Petrel having also attended his funeral。 On reaching the final resting…place of the young artist； among the tombs of his family； by the side of his father the minister； an impressive prayer and a short but touching address were made； the coffin was lowered； the earth thrown on it； and the grave closed over Charlie Hubbard： the story of his life was told。
｛〃entered the enclosure〃 = at Christ Episcopal Church； in Cooperstown； which Susan Fenimore Cooper attended； African…Americans were at this time buried just inside the churchyard entrance； away from the other graves； 〃was told〃 = was ended｝
Harry was the last to leave the spot。 While the funeral train returned with the mourners to the house of Mr。 Joseph Hubbard； he remained standing by the grave of his friend； his mind filled with the recollection of the brilliant hopes so suddenly extinguished； the warm fancies so suddenly chilled； the bright dreams so suddenly blighted by the cold hand of death。 The solemn truth； that the shadow of death had also passed over himself was not forgotten； life in its true character； with all its real value； all its uncertainties； all its responsibilities； rose more clearly revealed to him than it had ever yet done； he turned from Charlie's grave a wiser man； carrying with him； in the recollection of his own unexpected restoration； an impulse for higher and more steadfast exertion in the discharge of duty。
But if Hazlehurst's thoughts； as he retraced his solitary way towards Wyllys…Roof； were partly sad； they were not all gloomy。 Wisdom does not lessen our enjoyment of one real blessing of life； she merely teaches us to distinguish the false from the true； and she even increases our happiness amid the evils and sorrows against which we are warned； by purifying our pleasures； and giving life and strength to every better thought and feeling。 When Harry entered the gate of Wyllys…Roof； his heart beat with joy again； as he saw Elinor； now his betrothed wife； awaiting his return on the piazza； he joined her； and they had a long conversation together in the fullness of confidence and affection。 They were at length interrupted by Miss Agnes； who returned from the Hubbards'。 The young people inquired particularly after Miss Patsey。
〃She is much more calm than she was yesterday； more like herself； more resigned； thinking again of others； attending to Mrs。 Hubbard； she seems already to have found some consoling thoughts。〃
〃It seems； indeed；〃 said Harry； 〃as if Hubbard's memory would furnish consolation to his friends by the very greatness of their loss； his character； his conduct； were always so excellent； the best consolation for Miss Patsey。〃
〃It is touching to see that excellent woman's deep affection for one； so different from herself in many respects；〃 observed Mr。 Wyllys。
〃Fraternal affection is a very strong tie；〃 said Miss Agnes gently。
She might have added that it is one of the most honourable to the human heart； as it is peculiar to our race。 Other natural affections； even the best； may be partially traced among the inferior beings of creation； something of the conjugal； paternal； and filial attachment may be roused for a moment in most living creatures； but fraternal affection is known to man alone； and would seem in its perfect disinterestedness； almost worthy to pass unchanged to a higher sphere。
〃I have often thought；〃 said Mr。 Wyllys； 〃that the affection of an unmarried sister for a