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"Why am I made to possess months of vanity, while wea-risome nights are appointed unto me! "

But "there is an end to all earthly things," it is said, and I here add my testimony that there is also an end to some unearthly things."

CHAPTER XLVIII.
Mrs. Olsen's Eighth Ward Experiences.

"According to previous arrangements of Mrs. McFarland and Lizzy Bonner, it was now officially announced in the hall, that the latter was to take about fourteen of her patients up to the Eighth ward in a few days.

This of course created a great sensation, and the query be-came general:

"Who is going? Is it I?"

So, while yet unable to sit up all day, I joyfully emerged with the rest, and in due ceremony, we were conducted to the very highest part of the building.

Our ascent to the Eighth ward occurred in the morning. When the dinner hour arrived, and I again saw the tranquil beaming face of my beloved friend, Mrs. Packard, I longed to throw myself into her arms, and weep with joy upon her bosom.

She was affected in the same way as were many others re-specting the abusive treatment to which the patients were subjected. Yet she did not see the worst forms of this cruelty. The attendants dared not in her presence perpetrate these.

She honestly expressed her feelings both to them and to the officers on this subject. When her eloquent, yet intensely gen-tle and tender voice was raised in the defence of the suffering ones around her, every other voice was hushed.

We all knew she "was a host" in herself, and many of the "insane" possessed yet sufficient sanity to recognize in her their future deliverer.

The hand of this, our dear friend, was ever ready to admin-ister acts of beneficence, so far as her restricted privilege would permit -- her voice to soothe, to cheer, and to sustain-to encourage the desponding and indolent to energetic activity and self-respect, and to intellectual and moral elevation. the sick delighted to grasp her hand, when she was permitted to visit them, and deep were the murmurings when this privilege was not allowed.

Such an ardent lover of truth, so heroic a defender of principles -- dear as her own life -- I never saw outside these walls. The boldness with which she reproved tyranny and the thrilling eloquence with which she defended the cause of suffering humanity, were truly "a terror to evil doers!"

No one was so popular in the whole institution. Without ever being intrusive, she drew all eyes, all ears, in every circle.

At balls the most serial dancer; in labor, the most indus-trious, in all public gatherings or private circles, "the ob-served of all observers." The wonderful power she possessed over the minds of others drew all to her ample heart, with an irresistible magnetism. When she came into our hall, every hand, eye and heart, were open to receive her.

I never saw one, who took the least notice of anything, who After having seen her once, did not wish to see her again. When we suffered any unusual abuse, it was very often said:

"I'll tell Mrs. Packard of this."

We knew our rights would find an able advocate in our firm and gentle friend.

Doctor and Mrs. McFarland were much annoyed by these demonstrations of the fact that Mrs. Packard was so much more popular than themselves; and this annoyance was un-doubtedly the reason, that shortly after the accession of the patients from the lowest prison, to her ward, the privileges of Mrs. Packard were materially abridged.

The restrictions to which she was condemned, were very severe -- sufficient to exasperate the gentlest mind. Yet they could not ruffle her undaunted spirit, or change to a frown the sublime tranquility of that heaven-sustained soul.

To my astonishment and joy, at dinner, the day we en-tered the Eighth ward, Lizzie Bonner said to me:

"Mrs. Olsen, you can have your seat at the table next to Mrs. Packard."

I did not dare even to thank Miss Bonner, or to show any de-monstration of my joy when this most delightful decree was announced, but quietly took my seat.

Here, for a few weeks, I had the privilege of eating without fear that my brains would be knocked out, or that any other episode from dinner, such as some one's upsetting my plate, or laying her hair into it, or crowding or sneezing, or anything of the kind.

Mrs. Packard and myself conversed in very low tones, so as not to disturb any one, and not to permit our attendant to suspect that we were particularly happy. Our meal hours were the most pleasant hours I enjoyed, for with my sweet friend by my side, I forgot that the potatoes were always cold, the meat often tainted, and butter no longer visible.

Mrs. McFarland now avoided Mrs. Packard as much as pos-sible; not only declining to show her the least sympathy, but utterly refusing to speak to her.

Though the latter could never be accused of ever breaking any of the thousand and one rules of our key-holders, and yielded, no less than myself, implicit obedience to all their commands, yet, she was accused by the matron and one of the most obsequious of the attendants, of being "very trouble-some!"