Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-02-17
Daily democrat and 3(e,rs.
CLIMBING THE STAIRS.
ny PAsILIE.

SasV aCI VI IeUucTnet0 WnCO TcIUobo u
the bereavcd mothcr-the putting away
Of the baby clothes, in whose making &C
many hopes were stitched, the folding Of
the covcrlets in the little crib, and the
smoothing of the pillows which still
show the pressure Of her darling's form,
the carrying away to some safe corner in
the garret or the storc-room of the
empty cradle which her feet never tired
rocking, and which no hands but her
own must be allowed to touch she was
doing all this when, all Of sudden,
Willie was missing from the nursery
She stepped to the door and called his
name; there was no reply. She called
sgain-WilIie did not answer. The
nurse suggested that he might have gone
to the garden, and that she had bet
ter go in search, but Mrs. Burton held
her back with gentle but decided,
NO, no, let me CO. as if hor recent sor-
row had given her an undivided claim
to every word, and look, and gesture of
her only remaining child. All the self
ishncss of a great sorrow. The tender
ness that flows in and fills the heart
which death has robbed The love that
reaches out and grasps its own.
Mrs. Burton ran quickly down to the
garden, looking anxIously up and down
the walks and peering in and out among
the bushes. Gle is SO fond Of hiding
she thought. But no WiIlie's laughing
face peeped out from the flowers-no
sweet, soft voice answered her Calling
She rc-entercd the house, searching all
the rooms where he would be likely to
90. All in vain. At last she bethought
her Of the garrett, knowing that he some
times went there to build houses with
his blocks, or, as he used to tay, TO beat
his drum for the birds She hurried up
to the garnet, but he was not there
More alarmed than ever, she was about
to descend for the purpose of instituting
a moro thorough search below,whcn she
observed that the scuttlc, which had
been opened by some workmen for the
purpose Of repairing the roof, was I'M
closed, and thithcr her fears directed her.
The roof was reached by means Of steep,
narrow stairs, little better than ladder,
which Willie had been cautioned against
Mrs. Burton called trcmulously, 'Wil-
There was a faint response.
willie, my dear child, where are
your
Quicker than over before Mrs. Burton
mounted the stairs, and what was her
astonishment to find her child seated
upon tho highest point of the roof, lean
ing against one of the chimneys and
weeping bitterly. Afraid to warn him
Of his danger, she crepL mp to him,
caught him in her aims and cautiously
made her way back to the stairs. At
any other time the descent would have
been very difficul, now it was easy
Her child was in her arms and SAFE
Nor did she put him down till they were
once more in the Nursery. As soon as
she was sufficiently recovered from her
fright and the fatigue which, now that
he was restored to her, she began to ex-
perence, she called Willie to her side
and asked why he had ventured in such
q dangersu. place, place which mamma
had SO many times cautioned him
against. A great sob answered the
question first, then the curly-head went
down into the mothers lap, and the
mufflcd words we're:
Il wanted to see little sister,
A moments silence, then another
question, more tremulous than the first;
But how did Willie expect to see lit
tie sister up there?'
'Why,:I thought if | climbed all the
stairs there was | should get to heaven,
and l know when l got there l should
see Kitty, but l didn't, mamma, and l
called her so many times, too
Mrs. Burton passed her hand caress-
ingly over the boys face; it was flushed
and feverish she grasped his hand and
laid her fingers OIL the wrist, the pulse
indicated strong excitement. She recol-
lected what tho physicians had told her,
was always the first symptom of scarlet
fevcr-a fine, bright rash, generally a
small, round spot upon the chest-she
turned back the jacket, tore open the
shirt, and 10 there it was, the fearful
token, round and red and burning
With sharp cry of pain she lifted and
bore him to the bed, then hurried down
stairs to dispatch messenger for her
husband, and another for the family
physician. Both shook their heads omi-
nously. Willie was very sick, and the
frailty Of his constitution left little in his
favor. They took off his clothes, put
on his little night-gown, laid him back
upon the pillows, administered medicine,
and sat down beside him, to watch its
effect. lie grew rapidly worse. All
day he tossed restlessly, all night he bat
tied with the enemy. Then come sleep,
long and peaceful, aud the fond watchers
grew strong again in that faint dawn of
hope. But with the sleep ended the
transient joy. There was certainty now.
Little Willie must soon commence that
final ascent whence 10 mothers arms
could reach up and grasp him. Already,
the glory that filleth the celestial city,
seemed to encircle him. His brow grew
radiant with new beauty, his eyes sent
out = light and a new wisdom, and the
smiIe-surely the angels fed that.
He drew his mothers head . little
nearer.
Mamma
My besslng9'
sHeayen amt very far. Is it