Washington sentinel., 1854-01-08


willing to loose so good an opportunity for
teaching her practical charity
| And now, while Mrs. Warton and the chill
dren are filling the large basket, and James,
the hired man, is loading the sled, and Mary
and John are muffiing themselves for the ride,
we will go to the other fireside n
Far out IN the suburbs, on an open field,
where the wind has full sweep this dismal
stormy night, stands an old brown house,
which families, who cannot afford to pay rent,
have one after another deserted which would
be tenantless now, but Mrs. Robinson can find
no other shelter. Within that house, a little
boy is laying the last stick upon the Fireplace,
and tear is trickling down his cheek, which
he quickly wipes away in the corner of the
room is low bedstead, the covering Of which
once was good, but though clean, is ragged
and worn now There lay the sick girl and
her mother, kneeling at the bedside, was hold
ing in one hand those of her daughter, and
with the other was pressing her forehead.
| The wind roared without, and as it swept by,
the drifting snow beat against the rafting win
dows, and the fickering flame from the hearth
was the only light in that dwelling~~
| "She's dying, my darling is dying" sobbed
| the mother. And the boy ran to the bedside.
He had tried to restrain his tears before, for
fear of grieving his mother; but he wept bit
terly now
Sarah, my child, my darling" She almost
shrieked, "must you die now, and here in this
cold, cold spot, and your father never see you
again? 0, Heavenly Father let this cup pass
from me /; but not my WILL but thine be done7"
| A cold sweat was on the brow of the little
sufferer, but still her eyes were bright, and fixed
upon her parent, her lips moved, and she said
| "mother"
i -, n Il I'LL. IL.
door.
Somebody is coming !" said Charley, as he
ran to the window.
is it papa ~ asked the dying girl.
No, mol don't say it, my child" said the
mother, you are dying and will meet papa in
heaven"
The door opened, and DR.. Warton entered
with Mary and John, and the good pastor Mr.
Wexford, all loaded with clothes and provisions
"Bless you! God bless youl' exclaimed Mrs.
Robinson, bless you for coming at this hour,
my sweet girl is dying"
The doctor walked up to the bedside and,
taking her hand in his, sal: :
II am afraid she is.'
II knew It'll knew itr' said the mother, and
she threw herself upon the bed by her child.
20, if it could but be so If your father
could but be living now, and come to close
your eyes, my darling Pray for us, pray for
US, Mr.. Wexford, for my Sarah is dying now"
And the group all weeping kneeled down,
while the rector offered fervent prayer to Him
who doth not afflict willingly the children Of
men. AS the amen was responded, q loud
knock was heard at the door,
1t is James with the wood" said the doe
! tor; and Johnny ran to open the door.
Softly, softly said John, as James began
to stamp the snow from his boots.
There is a gentleman here,' said James,
"who got me to show him the way to Mrs. Rob-
inson's."
A stranger entered, and looking for an in
stant round the room, said, a.
Is this your home while am rich ?'
1t was but moment, and husband and wife
were clasped in each others arms The shock
was too great Mrs. Robinson swooned; and
for while serious fears were entertained lest,
under the circumstances of her protracted suf-
fering her mental anguish, and the suddenness
of her husbands return, she might be overcome
beyond the means of restoration. But no
sooner had she begun to revive, than the doctor
called the attention of the parents to the condi-
tion of their child.
1T is your father! my dear, dying child,'
shrieked Mrs. Robinson, and the father clasped
the little girl to his heart. She attempted to
throw her arms about his neck, and family said,
"Papa!" and above the howling winds without,
were heard the sobs of the father He raised
his head to look into the face of his child, but
she was still; her eyes were fixed; her breath
had gone; her fathers tears were on her cheek,
and Papa !" was the last word that fell from
the lips of little Sarah.