The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-12-30

1 walked in that same, old forest two
years ago, and beard again the music of
that ringing laughter through the long
halls of time, made scarcely more melo-
dious by its passage through the corridors
of years.. f-s ifs5g ss.Teg.ss
Placing her in boat, and taking the
oars from, Ned, l soon delivered them
safely as the cottage, and bads them good
night. The next day Annie had raging
fever, and was delirious for ten days, /
saw her several times, but she did not re-
cognize me, albeit I was near relative,
and had known her from her birth: There
was one voice that she recognized one
sad, earnest face. that she looked up
to with longing love- 1t was the face of
Phil R, who had won her pure
young heart. But I will not intrude on
tho sacred memory of that love, which is
the property of but few now living Phil
is dead, too. On the tenth day of, her
sickness she slept heavily, and awoke in
her right mind. But, alas for the dear
ones around her, it vas but too plainly ev-
ident she was near to Heaven. Her eye
was clear, and full of Joy, as if she had
been, as l doubt not she bad, with the
angels. . eae6t eaes esr5 a.
Old Mr., Thompson, the clergyman who
baptized US all, aud had buried our faith
ers, and had loved us faithfully from the
days; of our first lisping, stood by her bed q,
and she smiled joyfully as she saw him.
"Ah, Mr.. Thompson, | used to wonder
whether I should die with you all arounp
me, and that is just exactly as wished it.
1t seems strange. too. that l ami dying
I don't exactly believe it. Phil, am l
dying ?'' zv
% GoD forbid, Annie"
"Ah! that tone Phil. You mean to
say GoD alone can save me, for all hope
on man is gone. Don't grieve, though
don't. grieVe It isn't aard to die. 1 love
the dear earth well enough to stay here
and the flowers and birds, aud the brooks,
and the old seat down by the bank of the
stream but .doh't feel so very sorrow
full 70 leave .hcm as l used to think I
would. And I do love mother and Ned, +,
and Mr. Thompson, aud-and you, Phil y
and here her voice, which had been low
but cheerful, suddenly trcmbled, and she
vas silent. ..s.-.-.--s.s
At length She continued in a renewed
tone of cheerfulness 50 Phil, go some
times and sit on the old seat down by the
stream, and put your arm along the back
of it and look up; and if you don't feel
my kiss, it viii be because ar angels
kisses can't be felt, fer If GoD win let me,
L will como and take the seat which /
have so often sat in, a, d lay my head on
your shoulder Mr. Thompson, m going
to Heaven at last in advance of you l
started long way behiud, but shall be
ihe:c first after all.
The good old man to whom this last
saITence was add dressed, so5bsd aloud =
but at length recovering composure, he
knelt at the side of her bed, and his. long
white locks fell over the counterpane as he
prayed long aud fervently. l stood still
at the foot of the bed, and watched the
face of, the angelic girl ii vs
As he spoke of Heaven her eye lighted;
aud q he begged Con to spare her to us
vet a little while, / saw her baud steal
along until it reached Phil's head, and
her tiny fingers were among his thick locks
of hnir. and the next moment her hand
was in his, aud hc rose, and, sitting by
her side. looked into her face with unut
terable love; and as the sublime words OF
hope escaped the lips of the, clergyman, j
saw ber move, as if to say, Kiss me,
Phil; - and be stopped down to her, and
with her arms around his neck. and that
last loving kiss upon Der lips, she went
forth by the unknown path that all must
tread - 5;;-r t.zt.... z4ssl tss I
Strong in her simple faith. and leaning
confidently on her Savior, she, who was
fairesl of our children here, has long ago
become, cannot doubt, one of the faircst
of COPS children there.
Peace be with her. On her grave, vio-
let's bloom aud I have seen hiidren, who
have wandered over the hills all day long
in search OF flowers in vain, refuse to pluck
those which bloomed holly over all that
was earthly of Annie Gray. Peace be with
her In that sunny land, whereof dream
in Summer Sabbath morning hours, trust
one day to meet her. There the voice
that was low and plaintiye as the might
wind here has renewed its tones In thrilling
melody. There the last sound of sorrow.
full discord is hushed; for, as she left us
those sounds died away. family, scarcely
heard, then gone forever and she did not
hear them when she came back, as she did
at times, to keep the trysting with Phil
She heard, then, no sound but the beating
of his heart. s. -a--.as4.s-.s y
One summer morning, ten years after
ward she called him suddenly, and his
spirit sprang forth at the call. The bond.
of earth were broken. None knew where
of he died. ftr- sss.
PowER OF THN PEoPLE OF A STATE