Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-03-23

called "Allan, Allan" but received no answer
Thro' many lonely year after this, that mour-
ming father called his wandering son, but he re-
turned to him no more, until the moment of his
departure.
Jessie was left alone, saddest of all that her
selfish brother should so have forgotten her,
And the fire blazed on the hearth through five
winters, and five times the spring flowers bloom
ed on the bank of the stream at the foot of the
garden, and Jessie M'Lean was twenty-one and
beyond description beautiful.
But the hour had come for John MLean to
enter the scenes he had so long spoken of. True
to his life, his death bed was calm and confident
He was somewhat changed by Allan's depart
ure, and Jessie had found him once or twice in
tears. His treatment of her too was kinder in a
measure, but to the world he had been always
the same.
1t was at evening, in the summer, and the
clergyman who had been his pastor more than
thirty years, stood by his side while Jessie knelt
at his feet. His large hand, now pale and thin,
lay across the white Sheet and his hair was care
fully combed back from his forehead over the
pillow He had sent for his children, and they
were coming. One by one they entered his
chamber, and stood around his bed Life SEEM
ed to linger for their steps, and when the last
one came in, it yet fingered with strength rs if
more were to come The twilight gathered a.
round them, and the Elders voice broke the
stiffness. 1t was softer than ever before, and
they said it trembled as he began to speak of
days long passed. He recounted his life telling
them of all its trials and difficulties and doubts,
and spoke of his errors penitently. Then he
charged them for The future, and then prayed
earnestly for his wandering son. His voice grew
fainter and fainter, and more and more broken.
There was a sound of horses feet coming rapidly
up the lane, and light step was heard in the en-
try. The old man knew the step and smiled,
and exclaimed in low voice, "Thank God,
thank God % and as the door opened, and his
son entered ard fell on his knees by his bed
side, he laid his hand on his head and murmur-
ed audibly, "God bless you, Allan," and a
shiver ran through his giant frame, and he was
dead
There was silence in the room for many mo-
ments, and at length Jesse's sob broke the still
ness. She raised her head, but it was dark, and
she felt her way along the bedside and knelt by
Allan and put her arms around his neck and her
cheek against his, and they two wept together,
while the pastor prayed.
The bell tolled sixty-nine in the solemn night
time; by tens six times, stopping at each tenth
stroke, and then slowly and heavily counting up
the weary later years, it added nine, and ceased.
And all the people in the country round knew
by that passing bell that Elder M'Lean had gone
from among them. And old men woke and
turned restlessly, and feared to sleep again, and
rising sat by their windows till the morning
dawned, and watched the clouds drifting over
the stars, and strove to prepare for death. And
children crept from their rooms to their moth
ers' doors and asked who was dead, and hear
ing that it was the gaunt and harsh old man
reoiced rather than otherwise. | believe no
one wept for him but Jessie, and she not very
long.
They buried the Elder by his wife, close to
the doorstep of the church. A week after Allan
and Jessie left the village together. 1t was said
they had some difficulty with their brothers. and
Allan impetuously silenced them and took his
sister away with him. Years passed and none
heard of them, and the village changed and the
church grew old.
One autumn morning, a.hearse followed by a
carriage entered the village. They passed down
the road to the church, and servant left them
to inquire for the sexton. He was easily found
and the church door opened, and with his aid a
coffin was lifted from the hearse and carried up
the aisle, and placed on the floor in front of the
pulpit. Shortly afterward the sexton was seen
digging grave by the side of Elder M'Lean's,
and old Mrs. B. who lived across the green
instantly suspected the truth. Putting on her
shawl and bonnet, she walked across to the
church door and entered. Two men were kneel-
ing with their faces over the open coffin, one on
each side of it, and child exquisitely beautiful
knet at the head. Jessie Mclean was thus
brought back TO her home. Her husband, broth
er and child, were waiting to lay her beside her
parents. Slowly and as usual there, the people
began to fill the church, and the old clergyman
who had been sent for, came up the aisle. The
elder brothers had left the village two years be.
fore, and were not there now. A prayer was Of
fered and there were many tears shed, and eve.
ry one passed by the coffin and looked on the
beautiful sleeper, and then they laid her in the
grave and left her.
"Will you go with me, Robert" said Allan
to the husband of Jessie, who stood by the
grave long after it was filed up, holding the
hand of his child who gazed in silent wonder
ment.
"Wil you go with me, Roberts" Allan re-
peated, but without reply.
"Come Robert, come" said he at length, seiz
ing his arm.
"Alan, promise to bury me here"
al will exchange the promise with you.'
alt shall be So"
Grasping each others hand they strobe rapid
ly toward their carriage and drove away.