The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-10-21

would she make biscuits or waffies p
And the mother smiling all the time nod
ded her head to everything. and went
hurrying about. with the gridiron in one
hand. and the egg boiler in the other,
coaxing Fanny to curl the baby's hair,
and looking at the clock every FIVE min
utes. But Fanny, with mysterious
apronfulls Of something, was fitting up
stairs and down, leaving book here, a
flower there. daguerreotppe on the ia
BILE. or rosy checked fall apple in the
understanding for Lizzie to see and
smile at. Only the father seemed undis-
turbed. We noticed, to be sure, the
dimplss in his cheeks, which Lizzie al
ways said she made with her fingers
when she was babe, looked deeper when
he smiled, and that his voice was trifle
less steady when he told Thomas to get
the horses /; but he did not like to be
considered demonstrative man. so we
only looked Significantly at each other,
and said nothing. Still waters are some
times very deep.
AT last the carriage came round, and
We got in; two of us beside the father
who was to drive. There was room for
more but it was quite out of her line,
the mother said, to 60 on dashing drive
before breakfast so We left her on the
piazza, with the pickle dish in her hand.
wiping her eyes with her apron.
1t was half mile to the depot, and the
sun not quite risen when we started
How balmy and pure the air was. that
soft September morning. We thought,
egotists as we are. in our happiness. that
nature sympathized with us. 1t seems as
if there never had been so fair sun ris-
ing before. and as if half the glory of the
morning would have been wasted had
Lizzie not been coming home.
The cars had not arrived when we
stopped at the station. but we heard the
whistle of the locomotive not very far dis
tant; /; and those few waiting moments
what world Of blessed anticipation they
held. The sun was rising-ah, Lizzie
Lizzie q
AT last tha t.o;-- --''-.- -r--stvpp-d.-
We looked at the windows; only row
of sad faces Lizzie musthaye sat on
the other side. A few passengers came
out solemn faced and silent. We pressed
forward-so did they who were going
out on the train. The conductor apear-
ed and waved everybody back. thu mo-
toned to some in the car. Two men
came out and slowly descended theseps,
bearing lifeless body-a woman; her
features covered by veil. They bce it
into the saloon. and laid it reversrtly
upon the sofa. Still the conductor nav.
ed the crowd back. except our party he
knew US, and turned away his face as We
approached.
Then we knew how it was all excSp
the father; be could not believe Firm
ly he raised the veil from the dead face,
Oh. God All merciful Is it thus vi
meet thee, Lizzie. darling, our best be-
loved. idol of our heart
In brief time we learned the story
learned how the Angel Of the Lord had
''met Lizzie" before us, in the still twi-
light of that autumn morning. and after
one pang-terrible, we know. but brief
had waited her gentle spirit to those who
waited for her in the home Of the Angels.
Atth very last stopping place, Lizzie
had left the car to procure some food for
a little child who had fretted all night in
the arms Of a wearied mother. The
train stopped but moment; it was dusk,
and none Of the officials had seen her
leave it. She returned hastily to find it
and the rest-it IS e ,cu,ufay.. forward
as newspapers chronicle every week.
The beautiful head, with its sunny curls,
was-what we saw at the station house |!
We shed no tears at first, though it
seemed as if . drop would save our
hearts from. bursting it twould not come!
Not even when one, we afierward learn
ed. was on his way to wedding party.
and who. journeying with Lizzie but q
few hours, had yet learned to know her
good as beautiful. came up and laid. in
fearful silence. bouquet Of pure white
se-buds upon her bosom. We buried
them with her-the strangers kindly Of
fering of sympathy and respect.
Blessed be God for tears They came
at last: came when we saw the mother |!
That scence is too sacred for detail. But
the old grandfathey's mind wandered
when be heard the tidings and all day
be sat in his arm chair on the porch, lis
/