Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-03-04
and She took long walks and drives among

and she took long walks and drives among
the quiet beach.
Every morning when Loose Ben cam
iup to build the fire, that dear little voic
would say, .'does you love God o. and whel
be had answered with his stereotyped "ya
as" she would add in precisely the word
as before, "does you pray to God in tn
morningg' and again with that stupit
wondering look, he would say 'sya-as." .
But there was change in this semi-barba
rian. Gradually the rough, heavy lock.
were trained to fall back from his low bu
full brow: his wood-colored face grew clear
and his great hands evinced some marks O
attention. By some mysterious process.
his cloths were mended, and little by little
Loose Ben seemed to emerge from hi:
loutish she'll into a region of more thought
and freer scope. The hotel loungers still
jeered him, still called him all kinds ol
strange and original names, but he did moi
mind them, and had one seen him going
up to his daily duty to room Sc, smile
might have been detected lighting up bis
homely face, till it was almost handsome
And as be entered day after day, came the
same questions about love and prayer.
One Sabbath morning, never to be for
gotten day, for I am telling no story of fie-
ton, dear reader, the rap came as usual at
room Sc, and when the door was opened,
in walked loose Ben, worthy Of the name
no longer. He brought the wood not in
the usual way, but in basket, and wonder
of wonders! he was attired in neat, gray
suit, from head to foot, and under his left
arm be carried q straw hat, bound with
black ribbon. Leisurely he went up to the
hearthstone, and leisurely set the kindlings
and the wood in their place. Then he
turned round to look for Antoinette. A
little voice came from under the curtains
BILLY, does you love God Does you pray
in the morning?"
The boy drew his hands before bis eyes,
and as Nettie made herself visible, he went
towards her and fell upon his knees at her
feet.
"You dear little angel" he sobbed, tax
ing her dimpled hand and covering it with
kisses. "EFery morning you ask me that,
and every morning lie to you. Yes, l
lie to you, for l love no God as you say.
Then you ask me if pray every morning
and l lie to you again, and keep lying to
you because l didn't do better; because l
poor Dutch boy. But this morning, you
dear little angel, l tell you I love God
l tell you pray 10 God-yes, l love-I
pray" he added, the tears running down
bis coarse cheeks, while Mr.. and Mrs. Hay
den stood looking ON full of astonishment.
"You made me go to Sod, you little angel
you-you made me pray to God, and |
tell you no lie any longer. o! when you
did ask me first, knew not what to make
of it, and I think it no harm to say ya-as
But when you ask again and keep asking
l keep thinking what you mean. 1t seems
to me that my heart is very wicked, and l
come to tremble as l laid my hand on the
latch of the door-for knew what you
would ask me. you sweet little angel you.
And now have found God, l come to
thank you on my knees that you did ask
yes, blessed be God-blessed be
God-I no longer poor Bill, but the child
of God"
Tears choked his utterance. Antoinette
scarcely knowing what it all meant, stood
looking gravely towards him, childish
wonder in her face, until John Hayden
snatched her from the floor and folded her
with many kisses tohis bosom.
The scene changes to handsome dwell.
ing in the city. Snow lays OH all the
streets, white and glittering-the naked
trees, the gray caps of the houses, the iron
railings, all are robed in the shroud of the
autumn days. All! some cold wind, some
;now has entered that house; the white
lrapery of the windows is untitled; child
zen go in and come out again with sorrow
'ul faces--the passing traveller loooks
up as he wanders by-there |
must be gloom in that house-yes the
white snow of death lays upon the fore
head of an only child.
She is in her coffin now, with roses above
her pale bosom, aud the little silver plate
says Antoinette Hayden, aged seven.-
What! is her mission done so soona Does
he angel bathe her wings in the light of
leaven9 Even so!
In darkened chamber sat the mother
If this lovely flower, bearing her grief alone
With God. No sigh broke from her Boz
'om-no tear fell from her eye; she look
ID calm, she was calm, but resigned as she
was. the stern immobility OF her
features, told that grief deeper than could
ind any outlet, lay heavy at heart.
Rising up after her long vigil, she went
down stairs towards the room
where her child slept the last long sleep.
As she was entering, voice struck her ear,
Is if some long remembered music had but
the chord vibrated against her
leart. She paused; the voice asked for
Antoinette-little Antoinette Hayden, and
mother voice, mournfully murmWed the
ad truth.
"Dead" exclaimed the stranger--"little
nigel! dead:.'
And then came feet along the passage
md tall dark man stood before her.
"You do not know me, Mrs. Hayden"
10 said, as after a moment, striving to pos
ess his selfcommand, be spoke.
81 do not, indeed" replied the bereaved
mother, in low tones.