The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-02-24
Religious BEADING.
Rcna's Death.

everyday Aic "Au eAs
door.
He made a low bow to Rena as he entered,
and then sat down and laid back the covers
Of his trunks with flourish. Rachel left
her spinning, and Rena moved up nearer in
the rocking-chair
"Iet me look at your silver thimbles," said
she, teebly. "Wha, is the price, fitting
one to her finger)
Fifty cents" was the reply.
"Try it on, Chloe" said Rena. "Why, 1t
fits YOU better than it does me-"
Rachel, 100, found one that fitted her, and
then went to get the money.
Bring my purse. Rachel" said Rena.
She brought it, and Rena took from 1t
bright half dollar. 1t was part OF what
remained OF her treasured earnings in days
Of b, alth.
After the pedler had gone, Rena sat long
time gazing at the thimble upon her finger.
A, length she said
"Chloe, bough, this silver ,himble for
you. shan't live TO useit. ! got it for you
to remember me by"
Chloe suddenly raised her head, and look
cd at her sister. Kena had been fadil Z so
gradually, and had been so cheerful, day b.!
day, that it had not occurred to her that she
would die But. as she looked upon her a
gain. the truth at once flashed upon her,
Rena would die; she saw it in the hollow
ewes and sunken cheek. She turned and
stood at the window. 1t was then mid-win-
ter. The air was dim with new-faling snow,
and already he slipping roof Of the piazzad
house was whitened with ii. The meadow
was cold and drear. and the bare limbs Of the
trees in the forest beyond. looked gaunt and
strange through the misty air. The shadow
came over her again-the same deep shadow
she had felt by Nancy's grave.
death death ~ she said to herself; "oh,
how can meet thee again."
Then Rena spoke. "Choe," saG she. "come
here" With quivering lip, Chloe obeyed.-
81 don't want you to feel bad, Chloe" she
said; Its what I've known long time, and
l have prayed over it great deal. You know
how many doubts used to have about N.Y.
self, whether l was Christian, or not. They
are all gone now. l feel willing to die; l
mant to 90 and be with Jesus. All pray
for now is, for patience to wait until the time
comes. want all to feel reconciled to it.
If you only realized how happy am, I'm
sure you would"
Chloe could only answer by her sobs. But
the ice was broken now, and after this Rena
talked much of her own death.
Mother" said she, one day, IL wish you
would take the rest of the money in my
purse, and send to the village and get mt
some CLOTH"
"Cloth, for what, Rena?"
Il want to make my own shroud."
"Why, Rena. How can get it?"
don't refuse me, MOTHER she said "you
know can't live. feel myself growing
weaker-it seems as if l could-every day g.;
and | want to make it. 1t will be pleasure
to me-"
Rena's urgent request could not be denied
The cloth was obtained for her, and one day
she laid it upon the table, and with her own
hands cut and fitted the last garment that
she would wear upon earth. Then she put
on the new thimble, and sewed till she was
tired. But the winds of march were moan
Ing around their lonely home before it was
finished, and she was moved into the room
where Nancy had died. She sat up little
while every day, and with the shining THIN
BILE. worked upon the white robe.
"Don't go OUT she said to Chloe one day
who entered into the room where Nancy had
died, and Suddenly drew back. "because vol
sec me at work on this. Why. I've been just
as happy as it was making dress. It's a
bout done now," she added. with al:t,le sigh
"Wo' :, ,on call Rachel, Chloe9'
Rachel came. and Rena said. '.vou may g.
me the box aud other things now"
Rachel knew the box she wanted, and 81
lently rh"yed. Then they all stood by her
and watched her thin, white hands as sh.
carefully folded the spotle>s garment, and pu
it in the box.
There. said she. "theyll lie there safe I'll
they are wanted. 1t won't be long. Here
Chloe, the thimhle is yours now. shall
never need it again my work is done. keeI
it to remember me by. What makes 70,
cry never was so happy in my life as
am now" After this. each Gay found Rens
weaker. while her faith in Christ grew bright
er and stronger. don't pray tina, l ma,
i've" she said. "but that may have patience
to wait" So. patiently waiting her summons
she stayed her time, looking up through tn.
golden-rimed cloud to heaven.
Her father was sitting by the bedside wher
it came. lie called his wife, and she called
the girls.
"Rena. said her mother, 1--WE think 70,
are to die Soon
She raised her hands feebly and said, "Oh
how do rejoice: ! shall soon be will
Christ"
'Rena, said her mother again, "now 70,
are dying. do YOU feel any dread of death 81
.Oh no I've No nlnre frar than if ua.