The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-03-13
Thus urged, faint hearted little Willie


took courage again, and moved on.
ward with his sister, though always a
ste pbehind. They were nearly across
the field when both stumbled over a
sudden rise in the ground, and then fell
forward into ditch. Edie scrambled
quickly to her feet, but Willie lay in
helpless despair amid the water and
mlre. 1t took all the little girls strength
to drag him out, and over to the other
side of the ditch, on to the firm, dry
ground. Here he lay down in utter
abandonment, crying in low, tremu-
lous wall. Unmindful of her own con-
ditioD, Edie took off Willie's shoes and
poured out the water, and then put
them on again and wiped, with hand
iulls of grass and leaves, the mud from
his clothing, speaking all the while,
comforting and hopeful words After
time she persuaded him to walk for
ward again.
Over the field into the skirting woods,
and across the hill, beyond which Edie
was certain her home lay, and yet no
human habitation came in sight. The
children stood still and hearkened. In
the.hush of the gloomy woods, strange,
low sounds, crept into their ears, and
underlined terror oppressed them.
Haunting fears of wild beasts, of saw
age men who delighted in cruelty and
murder-they had read of such things
In books-crowded upon their hearts.
The courage and self reliance which
until now, sustained Edie, were about
giving way, when Willie hid his face
in her dress, and she felt the weight of
his body leaning heavily against her,
and IFS tremors running along her
nerves. So more for his sake than her
own, she aroused herself, and with
hopeful utterance moved forward again,
drawing him tagging, weary, and sore
footed after her.
1t was night now, moonless and star
less night, and very dark. But in a lit
tie while the children come to an open
road, but with wagon tracks. Then
they took heart aud walked on more
quickly.
"We shall soon be home now," said
brave, hopeful Edie.
"But you don't hear Lion any more" !"
answered fearful, doubling Willie.
Maybe he isn't barking, you know
he don't bark all the while" That
was for Willie's encouragement. His
suggestion had shaken her confidence.
A weary half mile and then Willie
would go no farther. Fatigue and
hopelessness had driven away the ter
rors with which darkness had at first
oppressed him. 1t was all in vain lat
Edie coaxed, persuaded, promised, even
scolded in simulated anger. He sat
down on the roadside at the foot of a
steep hill, and would not stir.
81 know it's just over the hill, Willie.
Now do come little further
"You've kept saying that all the
WHILE" answered the boy fretfully, and
| don't believe it any more.
And yet, Edie was right this time.
Home lay just beyond. One more ef-
fort-one more difficulty subdued-
another weary hill assembled, and they
would be in their fathers house. But
Willie's faith-hope, endurance, were all
gone. No argument could move him,
and no suggestion revive his dead con-
fidence; even while Edie plead with
him he went fast to sleep. Then it was
that the sisters brave heart sank down
despairingly; that her cheeks dry until
now, reflected the starlight from great
falling tears, that her sohs long held
back for Willie's sake, shook them
selves free and went forth in dissonant
means upon the air. Sitting down upon
the roadside, with the woman's in
stinctive self-devotion still ruling in her
young breast, Edie drew the head OF
her unconscious brother into her lap,
and leaning her wet face down upon
his, wept herself into oblivion.
Yes, just beyond, home awaited
them. One more effort, and its CLEAN.
ing windows would have gladdened
their eyes. And for lack of this they
went to sleep as lost children, out in
the cold night, exposed to harms. AS
the story goes-heard or dreamed
which it does not signify-a neighbol
returning late that way, found them on
the roadside and bore them in his stout
arms home, where, when their sences
woke with the awakening, they found
themselves in safety.
Just beyond! All, how many, like
these children, sit down despairing on
the wayside, in some gloomy valley
with the goal for which they are striv-
ing over the next hill of difficulty, and
just beyond. Painting sojourners in
the ways of life, never give up your con
fidence. If the night falls and the path
is lost, still keep brave heart. Walk
onward, waivily, because of the dark
ness, yet ever onward-the good you
seek, or mayhap a higher or more per-
manent good is beyond-just beyond
for all you know, and about rewarding
your toilsome efforts. The world is no,
all wilderness. Night ever gives way
to morning. If there are steep and
weary hills, there are also level plains
and pleasant valleys. If in the forest,
press on in courage and patience-you
will find the open clearing. If the
mountain looks rugged and high, and
You are faint and weary-do not sit
down in despair at the foot, but gird
up your loins ard pass to the other side
1t may be the last mountain for many 9
mile, and smiling meadows may be be
yond. If you are lost in bewilderine
Ill