Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-03-09

less robes, and gave me this tall beautiful DO.
dy, which shall never feel corruption. And
this Was the reason dear little orphan--because
loved Him, and many times went hungry
rather than do wrong. And you, if you never
forget to say your little prayers, that / taught
you; If you will keep Gods holy command
ments, and trust IN Him always, 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 brilliant gems, and the
same soft, mysterious light over all.
a strain of holy music fell family en- his en-
raptured senses; it grew louder. and came near
or to the head of his little bed. And voice
oh far sweeter than either of the others
sang s
Ny child. my little earth child; look upon
ee ose sl't Eciesrs Z Z -, -.
/ In momeHt what emotions swellcd the bos
ON of the lonely boy. He thought of her
cherished tenderness to him long years ago. of
her soft arms around her neck. her gentle Inns
pressing his forhead; then came up the crue!-
ty of strangers, who, after she had. been pu,
|
harshness anG severity.
He turned towards her-ol what a glorious
being Her eyes were like stars. hei hair like
the most precious gold; but there was that in
her face that none other might so truly know
He had doubted if the first return was his
brother--if the second was his fathcr-but not
once did he doubt that this beautiful being
was his own dear mother.
| little while he kept down his strong feel
ing but the thought of the past and the pres.
ent overpowered him.
| ooh mother, mother, mother" he cried,
stretching forth his hand, "let me come to you
let me come; there is nobody in this world
like you; no one kisses me now, no one loves
me. Oh i. mother, mother, let me come !" and
the hot tears rained down his checks.
MY orphan child" she said, in low tones,
that thrilled him to the heart, you cannot come
tc me now. but listen to me. am very often
nearyou when you know it not. Every day
am by your side, and when you come to this
lonely room to weep, my wings encirclc you
l behold you suffer, but know that God will
rot give you more sorrow than you can bear.
When yon resist evil. whisper calm and ten.
der thoughts unto your soul; but when vou
give way to anger-when you cherish a spirit
of revenge-you drive your mother from you
Remember that, my little one, your sins drive
your mother from you, and displease the grea.
and holy God
" BE sood-be happy, even amidst all your
trials and lift is consolation, you know thy
immortal mother often communes with thv
soul! And further, thou shat soon be with
me-"
"Oh! mother, mother, mother" murmured
the boy, springing from his bed and striving
to leap towards her. The keen air chilled
him he looked eagerly around there was no
iisht-a solemn stiffness regned. The radl-
ance, the rafters Of gold, the slvery beams,
the music, the angels-.all were gone. And
then he knew he had been dreamng-but oh
what dream! how strengthening-ho cheer
ing; never, never would he forget it,
The next morning when he went down to
his scant breakfast, there was such beautiful
serenity upon his face, sweet gladness in his
eyes, that ali who looked on him forbore to
tauut or chide him
be told his dream; and the hard hearts that
listened were soitened; and the mother, who
held her babe, was choked with her tears
that she could not eat; and the father said in.
wardIy that henccforth he would be kinder
10 the poor child, and so he was. The child |
found his way into her affections, he was so
good; and at the end of twevemonth, when |
the angels did in very deed take him far above
to heaven, the whole family wept around the
iittie coffin, as If he were one of their own |
But they all felt that he was in the bright hea. |
ven with his brother, and his father and his !
dear mother.