Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-02-18
From the LITTLE Pilqrir
ALWAYS IN THE WAY.
By FRASky'S MOTHER.


pressed her small face close TO the win.
dow-pane, in the vain aitemp. 70 sec
farther round the corner, whence siste,
Anna must come from school IT WAS
not one of those rainy days which
every one loves. when the drops fall
steadily and cheerily, and ono feels
sure that they are completing their
mission as rapidly as possible. in or
der to treat US to rainbow. 1t was O
chcerless. mizzly, drizzly rain. that
seemed unwilling to leave cloud land
and bent upon making everybody
sympathise with its ill-humor
Poor little Amy looked the embodi-
ment of iorlornity as she watched the
long, pendulous branches of the clms
sway hither and thither in an uncom-
Portable manner She wondered what
made the rain fall, and if the poor
little doves felt it through their glossy
feathers; but she knew it was quite
useless to ask her mother, for she
would only tell her not to ask qucs-
tions, and keep out Of the way.
Mrs. Howard loved her child; but
she was bustling. energetic woman.
whose chief care was to keep a we'll
ordered and tidy house, and she did
not understand the delicate nature OF
the little Amy, who had been from in
fancy feeble child. and stood sadly
in need of loving and tender sympa-
thy. She was not beautiful; but for
those who loved her. there was depth
of love in her little heart. which only
needed answering sunbeams To make it
bear sweetest blossoms. and light up
her wan face with the beauty OF con
tcntment.
This had been suck sad dav. In
the morning she had climbed into a
chair to watch her mothers proceed
ings at the pastry table, when an un-
lucky motion of her hand sent dish
of -four to whiten the floor. and called
forth an impatient rcprimand from her
mother Choking back a rising sob.
she left the table, and essayed to play
with her blocks, building with them a
wall to confinc white Lily, the kitten
But kitty. impatient at such close i'm
prisonment made vigorous efforts TO
free herself. and. as she succeeded,
scattered the blocks in every direction
What looking room" exclaimed
Mrs H. Il declare. it's no use to
clean up. YOU get things in the way
so.
No more house building for Amy
after that; so she walked up and down
the room, singing softly to the kitten
in her arms, until II was time for
Annals return from school--Anna, the
dear sister who loved and petted the
little one, and never told her to keep
out Of the way.
AT last, her patient waiting was re-
warded by a glimpse of Annals bonnet.
and with cry of joy Amy bounded
to open the hall-door, to greet her
sister with outstreatched hands, and
the words II thought you would never
come"
"Vhat ais my pct?" said Anna.
as she took the child in her lap, and
parting the dark hair from her pale
face, remarked the look of WEAKNESS
in her eyes.
Nothing" answered Amy. "only
my head aches SO. and can't play
without troubling mother"
Anna sighed, for she knew the little
heart had sore trials; so. far into the
dusky eve she sat with Amy's head
upon her shoulder. telling Of the oldcn
time, when the fairies danced by
moonlight upon tho green sward. when
every hill and dale, every river aud
tiny strcalnlct. was haunted by un-
earthly beings. Then She told of
Heaven. made glorious by God and
the angels. and. as Amy listened. her
heart swellcd with JOY, ner eyes beam
eel with delight, and She exclaimed.
raising her head with animation
ANNA. mnst go there, ] must
Is il such a long way" Suddenly
shadow darkened her face. as she said
sadly, Perhaps though, should get
in the way OF the angels am 50
carcless.''
"Ncver, darling" said the sister,
clasping more closely the little form
which an almost prophetic sense told
her was too surely fading away.
At midnight there were hurried
steps and anxious questions. as the
household was wakcncd bv Anna's
cry that Amy was very III. After
days of anxious watching. weeping
group surrounded the bed Of the diving
child.
Mother" said Amy's i,r,blc voice,
II don't mean to be- naughty. and get
in your way so much. Ihot, shan't
trouble the angels--good-hvc. my
darlings. | am going Ia Sleep And
little Amy was dead
Long years the grass has grown on
Amy's grave, and harcbcIIs have rung
their fairy chimes above il. while the
birds sing rcquiems in the shadowing
trees; but nightly a. she laws her head
upon her pillow, Mrs. Howard sees
the pale, weary face of her child, and
hears a sweet voice say. Mother, ]
did not mean 10 got in the way. -
Not all in vain was the lesson taught
by those dying lips. Seeds of gentle
ness and patience were sown in the
mothers heart, which. watercd with
tears of repentance. give promise Of an
abundant harvest Of peace.