Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-11

hosts and hosts of them bore up to heaven;
and the king Of that glorious place clothed me in
these robes, white and Stainless, and gave me this
tall beautiful body, which shall never feel corrup-
tion And this was the reason, dear orphan; be-
cause | loved Him, and my chief delight was in
nraying to Him, and talking about Him, and al
though was very poor | tried to be honest and
many times went hungry rather than do wrong.
"And, you, if you never forget TO say your lit
tie prayerssthat taught you, if you will keep
Gods holy commandments, and trust in him al
ways, shall soon be with me in my sweet heavenly
home"
Once more the child was left alone, and still the
rafters were golden, the walls pearly, the old floor
studded with brilliants, and the same SOFT mystic
rious light over all.
strain of holy music fell family upon his en-
raptured senses; it grew louder, and came nearer
and nearer to the head of his little bed. And
then voce-oh far sweeter than either of the
others. sang, ''my child my little earthly child
look upon me, / am thy mother
In moment, what emotions sweed the bosom
of the lonely boy. He thought of her cherished
tenderness to him long years ago, of her soft arms
around his neck, the gentle lips pressing his fore
head; then came up the cruelty of strangers, who
after she had been put away in the cold ground,
had treated him with such harshness.
He turned towards her; oh, what glorious be-
ing; her eyes were like stars, her hair like the
most precious gold but there was that in her face
that none others might truly know. He doubted
if the first risen was his brother, if the second
was his father, but not once doubted that this
beautiful being was his own dear mother.
A little while he kept down his strong feeling
but the thought of the present and the past over
powered him.
"Oh mother mother mother" he cried
stretching forth his little hands, 'let me come te
you--let me come. There is nobody on this earth
like vou no one kisses me now, no one loves me
oh mother let me come - and the hot tears rar
down his cheeks
''My orphan child,' she said, in low tones
that thrilled him to the heart ''You cannot come
to me now, but listen to me. am very often
near you when you know it not. Every day am
by your side, and when you come to this lonely
room to weep, my wings encircle you. 1 behold
you suffer, but know that God will not give you
more sorrow than you can bear. When you resis
evil whisper calm and tender thoughts into your
soul; but when you give way to anger, when you
cherish a spirit of revenge, you drive your moth
er from you; remember that, my little one, your
sins drive your mother from you, and displeast
the great and holy God.
Be good, be happy, even amidst all your trials
and if it is consolation, know that thy immorta
mother often communes with thy souL~ And far
ther thou shall soon be with me"
ooh, mother, mother, mother" murmured The
boy, springing from his bed, and striving % Leaf
towards her. The keen air chilled him, he looked
eagerly all around-there was no light, solemn
stiffness reigned the radiance, the raers of gold
the silvery beams, the music, the angels-all wer.
gone. And then he knew that he had beendream
ing; but oh what dream: how strengthening
how cheerful; never, never would he forget it.
The next morning when lie went down to hi
scant breakfast there was such beautiful serenit1
upon his face, sweet gladness in his eyes, that al
who looked upon him forbore to taunt and child
him.
/ He told his dream, and the hearts that listened
were softened, and the mother, whosheld her owl
babe, was so checked with tears that she could no
eat and the father said that henceforth he woul
be kinder to the poor boy, and SO he was. TIL
child found his way into their affections, he wa
so meek, so prayerful, SO good, and at the end G
a twelve-month, when the angels did indeed tax
him far above to heaven, the whole family wep
around the little coffin as if he were one of thei
own. But they all felt that he was in the brigh
heaven, with his brother, and his father, and hi
dear angel mother.