The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-26

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summer some of the little trees that had
come out earliest were even turning brown
Ihe gentleman was not alone, but had q
lady OF about the same age with him, who
was his wife and they had children, who
were with them too. So they all went to-
gether through the wood, cutting down the
trees, and making path through the
branches and fallen leaves, and carrying
burdens and working hard.
Sometimes they came to long green
avenue that opened into deeper woods.
Then they would hear very little distant
voice crying Father, father, l am another
child Stop for mel And presently they
would see a very little figure, growing larger
as it came along, running to Join them.
When it came up, they all crowded around
it, and kissed and welcomed it /; and they
all went down together.
Sometimes they came TO several avenues
at once, and then they all stood still, and
one of the children sale; Father, am 60.
ing to India - and another, " Father, i am
going to seek my fortune where CAM" and
another, "Father, l am going to Heaven r.
So, with many tears at parting, they went
solitary down those avenues, each child up
on its way; and the child who went to Hea-
ven rose into the golden air and vanished.
Whenever these partings happened, the
traveller looked at the gentleman, and saw
him glance up at the sky above the trees,
where the day was beginning to decline and
the sunset to come on. He saw, too, that
his hair was turning grey. But they never
could rest long, for they had their journey
to perform, and it was necessary for them
to be always busy.
As last, there had been so many partings
that there were no children left, and only
the traveller, the gentleman, and the lady
went upon their way in company. And
now the wood was yellow, and now brown /;
and the leaves even of the forest trees be
gan to fall.
So they came to an avenue that was
darker than the rest, and was pressing for.
ward on their journey without looking
down it, when the lady stopped.
My husband" said the lady, Il am
called"
They listened, and they heard a voice
long way down the avenue, say, " Mother,
mother ]"
1t was the voice of the frst-b born who
had said, am going to Heaven !" and the
father said, Il pray not yet. Sunset is
very near. pray not yeti"
But the voice cried, Mother, mother !"
without minding him, though his hair was
now quite white, and tears were on his face.
Then the mother, who was already drawn
into the shade of the dark avenue and NOV
ing away with her arms around his neck,
kissed him and said, My dearest 1 am
summoned, and 1 go!' And she was gone.
And the traveller and be were left alone to-
gether.
And they went on aud on together, until
they came very near the end of the wood;
so near that they could see the sunset shin
ing red before them through the trees.
Yet, once more, while be broke bis way
among the branches, the traveller lost bis
friend. He called and called, but there
was no reply, and when be passed out Of the
wood and saw the peaceful sun going down
upon a wide purple prospect, he came to an
old man sitting on fallen tree. So he said
to the old man, O. what do you do here 2"
And the old man said, with calm smile,
am always remembering; come and re-
member with me-"
So the traveller sat down by the side OF
the old man, face to face with the serene
sunset; and all his friends came softly back
and stood around him-the beautiful child,
the handsome boy, the young man in love,
the father, mother and children-every one
OF them was there, and he had lost nothing.
So he loved them all, and was kind and for
bearing with them all, and was always
pleased to watch them all, and they all hon.
ored and loved him. And l think the
traveller must be yourself, dear grandfather,
because this is what you do to us, and what
we do to you.