Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-12-19
KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.


ess windows of the little village
school and small curley heads droop
ed like delicate ilowers in the languid
air. Among them all, little katie'i
sunny ringlets fell the lowest /; and !
you had lifted the golden vail. yor
would have seen that the weary eyes
had forgotten to con the line Of long
hard words in the worn spelling-book
and that the silken fringes Of tht
dropping lids were pillowed lovingly
upon the sweetest little cheeks in the
world. Yes. in the heated mir, sooth'
ed by the lazy drone OF the hungry
ilies. aad by the restless hum Of young
student voices, Katie had fallen asleep
She was dreaming. too. She was
dreaming Of a little brother. darling
Charley, who. in the bright spring
time. when the violets were just open
ing their sweet blue eyes after their
long sleep. had .strayed away from
earth, and passed through those gates
of glory always open for the entering
Of little feet. And she dreamed that
she clasped him to her lonely heart.
and begged him never to leave hen
again. And amid the greatness ol
her Joy she sobbed aloud, and started
to fined Bellies soft arm around her,
and to hear her whisper, "What i,
the matter, darling?"
Before poor Katie could well collect
her thoughts 10 answer, the school
was dismissed. and she heard the
teacher excIaim, ''TTurry home, chill
dren. or yon will be caught in the
shower"
But Katie could not hurry, and as
she walked slowly out Of tho door.
again little Bellies sweet voice cried.
"Poor Katie, are yon sick p
Then Katie poured into the sympa-
thizing ear Of her little friend all her
trouble, and finished by saying. 81
could not bear to find il only a dream;
l feel as il i must see Charley once
more" a
Where do you think he is p ask
ed Belle.
In heaven, ! know replied Katie;
and mother says he cannot come back
TO US, bat We can 90 to him somc
time;' and her sobs broke out afresh,
why don't you so to him now ?
cried Belle.
i don't know the way said Katie.
i was very sick when they took him
away in the little coffin. and don'i
know where they went
'Are you sure they went TO heay-
en- 2 said Belle, eagerly.
%. l know IT, said Katie.
Then said impnlsiye little Belle,
then / can show you the way.
saw where they put your little broth
err The glad light in Katie's tear
ful eyes was beautiful to behold.
will you. will you show me, Belle,
now. this very afternoon p
Yes, indeed, 'cried Belle; and will
clasped hands, unmindful of tho gath.
cring gloom, these little pilgrims sc
forth on their journey to heaven.
Once on the way, a doubt oppres-
sed Belle. Are you sure, Katie, tha
you can get in 2
'Ah.' said Katie, with sweet assu
rance, how Charley will run to open
the door !" and her cheek flushed
with anticipation.
p do you suppose Charley is very
happy?' urged Belle.
Very said Katie, emphatically.
And what does he do all the
time 2
plays with the angels with such
lovely wings cried Katie. with great
animation. And they pick up stars
that lie all over the floor OF heaven,
and. and play with them. And the
rainbows, suppose they keep then
all the summer; and how Charley
used to love rainbows He cried
once because--
Dear me- said Belle, interruptino
her in great dismay, 1T rains. aud We
are so far from home what shall We
do p
"But we are almost to heaven. arm
we ? Let US hurry. and go In there.
Yes said Belle: i see the door,
Where /? where p cried Katie
breathlessly.
There, responded little Belle
pointing to the rising ground and iror
door Of the little village vault.
co. exclaimed Katie. with intens,
disappointment. lis that heaven : o
Belle, IL is like q great grave, snt
her little lip quivered sadly.
= Why, said Belle, that 10 where
they took your brother, the very place
and you said he had gone to heaven
Besides continued she, Frightening
'when we get through the little darl
door. Il may be all very bright an,
beautiful on the other side
Perhaps il is said Katie, NOR
hopefully.
But now the large drops began L
fall very fast. and thunder storm. i
all its sublimity, burst upon the it'll
travellers. The burdened west CLEAN
ed like an ocean OF 4 ao. and tn
floor. Of heaven rnseul ed 10 th
solemn tread Of the nj. Aty thunder
Still the little children, with claspc'
hands and pale lips. pressed on, an'
their angels who do always .behol
the face OF our Father watched owe
them lovingly, and they walked Sc
cure in the heavenly company.
| At last the busy. pai.ering feet
reached the gloomy entrance. an
Ka.ie's sweet. hopeful lips were pres.
ed Gloss to the cold door.
KNOCK. cried Belle; and with a
her strength Kate did knock. and
hollow echo was all her reply, Will
the dead within Needed not the ca
from fresh, young, hopeful lips, an
the little brother. with folded eye
andpale clasped hands. heard not ii
sweet, imploring cry.
Charley. dear Charley. ii Is yot
sister: vour own Sister Katie: won