The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-05-05
Mrs. Gray's Light In Darkness,
BY MIS-. HEPPlE B. GRANT.

WGos h60y>O AsS0G IL D0EAWSOS
BY MIS-. HEPPlE B. GRANT.
II do believe Aunt Annie, something
is going to happen, indeed I know so, "
remarked the usually sprightly Mrs.
Gray, as she folded baby's dress, and
slowed it away in the drawer. At this
moment, Walter and Horace, aged re-
spectively six and eight years, came
running into the room. 20, if it should
be my children" continued the mother
more to herself-partly aloud-Aunt
Annie "righted" her knitting, then laid
it in her lap-"now, Bertha" (she was
named for Aunt Annie's only one, who
died long years before) now tell me
what troubles You, l can't even count a
stitch or set my heel, here I've been
making twenty and twenty thirty, this
five minutes, what "does" all you child?
softening down a. she looked into the
lovely face Of her sisters cnly child
what does trouble your"
"Only dream, Auntie," with some
faltering Of the voice, ''still it is on my
mind all the time"
"Was it wedding, Bertha" smiling,
"sure sign Of funeral, you know ?''
"Never mind, Aunt Annie, did
dream Of . wedding once, and you know
Uncle Joel died in just one week after
wards"
20, yes, I do remember, and tue
night before your dream, you stood
bridesmaid to Ella Raymond-wonder.
full! doubly wonderful too, that uncle
Joel should die after short illness of
five years I trust your last nights
dream will be equally prophetic.
"Ah but Auntie, was off some-
where in the bleak wilderness, this
time, surrounded by darkness-only
had baby, bless her-and I could no,
move for very fear, when slowly ap.
preaching through door which had
all the while been closed, came man
dressed in black, leading Horace and
Walter, looked again, aid It was my
own husband. he beckoncd me to fol.
low, looked after him and saw the
most beautiful green fields, when
awoke SO delighted that l could not
even reach them.
every good dream, going to be
brought through deep waters l reckon. >
This was Aunt Annie's final conclu
sion, after an important eutject.-"O
hope the children will be spared"
"Why Bertha, am surprised, thi,
was only drcam-did you have any
of that cocoa.nut pie for your supper p
"No."
"Well, we will see.'
So Aunt Annie took up the thread
Of her thoughts with her unceasine
knitting ard weaving both at the same
time, concluding something was going
to happen.
The days glided very quietly by
MIS-. Gray's was wellregulated house.
hold, no scrambling and qua1rels : be-
tween the boys on Sabbath morning
their lessons through, then came the
bath, with every garment "ready to
pop into," the boys said, and when day
dawned it was on q peaceful family.
have noticed in life that when chill.
dren are taught to keep sacred the
Holy Day, God keeps them through the
week. Mother, docs your son, your
daughter have an example in you,
which is the best Of teachings? Ifnot,
you are unlike Mrs. Gray, for her
mother Too, was . christian, and her
precious influence was descending even
to the third or fourth generation.
It was . mild, haxy May morning,
and Mrs. Gray's thoughts as she drew
the curtains away from the window
we're what lovely day, Aunt Annie
and I will shop for the children and
surprise the boys with their new suits.
0, I am 20 glad Mr.. Gray is coming
money!" Is heard him say to old Mr..
i
Winthrop-baby shall be lady, and
the boys can be thoroughly educated
at the very college their papa SO longei
to enter"
Mrs. Gray was in her happiest mood
husband kissed all around, including
aunt Annie, and walked to his counting 9
room, happy that his lines had fallen
into such pleasant places.
A few hours lator, and Mrs. Gray sat
in the cozy back parlor, planning with
her pretty store Of goods, how baby
would look, and thinking some day she
should have . cherry satin cloak, all