Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-08-12

'What does he do all the time?'
plays with the angels with such lovely
wings cried Katie, with great animation.
'They pick up stars that lie over the floor
of heaven, and play with them; and the rain
bows, suppose they keep them up all sum-
mer, and, o, how Charley used to love the
rainbows. He cried once because'-
Dear me- said Bella, interrnpting her in
great dismay, it rains, Katie, and we are
ever so far from home what shall we dog
But we are almost to heaven, amt we
Let us hurry and 60 in there
YES said Bella, l see the door,
Where where 2 cried Katie, breathlessly.
There responded little Bella, pointing to
the rising ground and iron door of the old
village vault.
'Ohp fluttered Katie, with intense disap-
pointment, lis that heaven? O, Bella, it is
like great cave and her lip quivered sadly.
'Why,' said Bella, that is where they took
your brother-the very place, and you said
he had gone to heaven; beside continued
she, frightening, when we get through the
little dark door, it may be bright and beau
tiful on the other side
Perhaps it is answered Katie, more hope
fully.
But now the large drops began to fall very
fast, and thunder storm, in all its sublimity
burst upon the poor little travellers. The
burdened west cleaned like an ocean of red
flame, and the floor of heaven resounded to
the solemn tread of the mighty thunders.-
Still the children, with clasped hands and
pale lips, pressed on, and the angels who do
always behold the face of our Father, watched
over them lovingly, and they walked secure
in the heavenly company.
AT last the busy pattering feet reached the
gloomy entrance, and Katie's sweet, hopeful
lips were pressed close to the cold door.
KNOCK cried Bella, and with all her
strength did Katie knock, and hollow echo
was all her reply, while the dead within heed
ed not the call from fresh, young, hopeful lips,
and the little brother, with closed eyes, and
pale, clasped hands, heard not the sweet,
imploring cry:
Charley, dear Charley; it is your sister,
your own sister Katie; won't you open the
door?
He does not hear you, Katie, it thunders
So said Bella.
Let us wait while; and they waited.
Soon there was lull in the storm, and
again Katie, strong in faith, knocked at the
dreary door, and her loving cry: Charley,
dear Charley echoed sadly back.
DO you hear anything 2 asked Bella, with
parted lips, lis he coming?
No. replied Katie, L thought heard his
little feet, but it was only the rain
Perhaps suggested Bella, with large,
imaginative eyes, perhaps he is playing with
the angels, great way off in beautiful
garden
'Ohp sobbed Katie, Il hope he will not
love the little angels more than me-
KNOCK once more, just once whispered
Bella.
With wavering faith, the little, soft hand
again pleaded for entrance, and trembling
voice cried piteously, Charley, darling, dear,
sweet little brother, please open the door for
your own poor Katie. Don't love the little
angels better than me. o, Charley! Char
ley!'
She threw herself upon the wet ground,
and sobbcd in an agony of grief and disap-
pointment.
Katie said Bella, half frightened at this
outburst,' 'let us 90 home now, and come
again tomorrow and try
No. said Katie, with touching hopeless
ness. l shall never come here again. Let
us CO.
She rose without another sob, or fresh tear
even upon the fresh cheek, but the grieved
expression of the sweet childish face was pit
iful to behold.
Back over the dreary way went Katie and
Bella. Little shoes wet, little dresses drip
ping, little heads bent like dew-laden flowers,
little hearts very heavy
AT Katie's door stood her anxious mother
peering through the shadows for her darling.
The child sprang to those loving arms, and
with one cry that spoke all the agony of Bit
ter doubt that had crept into her young,
confding heart, exclaimed:
20, mother, l have been knocking at the
door of heaven, and Charley would not let
me in
Dear, grieved little Katie Refusing to
be comforted in this, thy first great sorrow,
1t may be that ere the violets come again.
"God's hand will beckon unawares," and with
a better guide, thou wilt indeed find "the
door of heaven" Then knock, little pilgrim,
and thou shalt be heard amid the hallelujahs
of all the heavenly cboirs. Back shall roll
Al