The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-03-18
KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.
ATRUE STORY.

tucUt hlis IttI6 hulC ouuuy thBtOao sSh Wv
lowest and II you had lifted the golden veil.
you would have seen that the very eyes had for
gotten TO con tho long line Of hard words 10 the
worn spelling book, and that the silken friuges
Of the drooping lids were pillowed lovingly up
on the sweetest little cheeks in the world.
Yes, In the heated air. soothed by the lazy
drone Of the hungry dies and the restless hum
ofyoung student voices, Katie had fallen asleep.
She was dreaming Of the little brother, darling
Charley, who In the bright spring .time, when
tho violcts werc just opening their eyes after
their long sleep, had strayed away from earth,
and passed through those gates Ut glory always
open for the entering Of little feet Z; and she
dreamed that she casped him to her lonely
heart and begged him never to leave her again.
Amid the greatness other Joy, she sobbed aloud.
and started to find Bellies soft arm around her,
and to hear her whisper
"What Is the matter, darlingf" '.rsu
Before Katie could well collect her thoughts
to answer, tho school was dismissed and she
heard the teacher exclaim, as she pointed to the
darkenei west. "Hurry home. children. Or you
will be caught In the shower
Then Katie poured into the sympathiling ear
of her little friend all her troubles, and finished
by saying :--''I could not bear to find II only o
dream | feel as II must sec Charley once
more"
"where do you think he Isl"
''In heaven, know" replied Katie; "mother
saws he cannot come back to US, but We can go
to him somo time !" and her sobs broke out
afresh.
"why don't you 60 to him now," cried
Belle. Z,
"I don't know the way" replied Katie; l
was very sick when they took him in the little
coffin, and don't know where they went" =,
"Are you sure he went to heaven " asked
Belle, eagerly.
UOh 7 Lnoyv n - replied Katie
"Then," said impulsiye Belle. "then can
show you the way saw where they put your
little brother" The glad light In Katie's tear
full eyes was beautiful to behold.
"Well, will YOU show me, Belle, now-this
very afternoon!" :,
eyes, indeed |! 4" cried Belle, and with clasped
hands. unmindful of the gathering gloom. these
little pilgrims set forth on their journey to
heaven.
Once on the way, doubt oppressed little
Belle.
"Oh, ;" said Katie with great assurance. show
Charley would run to open the door " and her
check flushed with anticipation.
"Do you suppose Charley Is very happy !"
urged Belle.
VERY" said Katie, emphatIcally.
"And what does. he do oil the time!"
"Plays with the angels with such lovely
wings" said Katie, with great animation.
anu tUeg pCh up "S
floor of heaven and the rainbows they keep al
summer and oh Charley used to love rain
bows. Hc once cried because
"Dcar me-" said Belle, interrupting her in
great dismay. ''it rains, Katie, and We arc ever
SO far from home what shall we dot"
"But We are almost to heaven, aintwe! Let
us 60 in there" -,
EYES," said Belle, 81 see the door"
"where whcre!" cried Katie, breathlessly.
"There !" responded little Belle. pointing to
the little rising ground and the iron door OF the
village vault.
"Oh," faltcred Katie. with disappointment {;
"is that heavenI o, Belle 1t Is like great
grave !" and her little lip quivered sadly.
"Wby," said Belle, "that Is where they took
your brother-the very place-aud sou said he
had gone to heaven besides" continued she,
dark door. It may be all bright and beautiful ON
the other side"
"Perhaps 1t is," said Katie. more hopefully.
But now the largo rain.drops began to fall
very fast, and the thnnder. storm. in NIL its sub
Unity, burst upon the little travellers.
The burdened west seemed cleaning like an
ocean of flame, and the floor of heaven resound-
ed to the solemn tread of tue mighty thunder.
Still the little children. with clasped hands and
pale faces. pressed on. and the angels who "do
always behold the face Of our Father" watched
over them lovingly, and they walked secretly in
the heavenly company.
At last tho busy pattering feet reached the
gloomy entrance, and Katic's sweet hopeful
lips we're pressed close to the cold door.
KNOCK" cried Belle; and with all her
strength Katie did knock, and hollow echo
wa, all the reply, while the dead from within
needed not the call from fresh, hopeful lips;
and the little brother, with closed eyes and
pale clasped hands, heard not the sweet implor-
ing cry.
your own sister Katie; wont you open the
door,"
"He does not hear you, Katie, It thunders
so," said Belle; 'let US wait while;" and
they waited. Soon there was a lull In the storm,
and again Katie, strong 10 faith, knocked at
the drsary door. and her ,I, loving cry Charley
"Do you hear anythingl" aske'l Belle, with
parted lips; sis he coming!"
"No," replied Katie; 81 thought once
heard his little feet; hut II was only rain"
Perhaps" suggested Belle, with large Inn
aginatiye eyes, "perhaps he Is playing with the
angels, great way of, In beautiful garden"
"0h!'' sobbed Rattle, II hope he wont love
that littlo angel more than me-"
Belle.
With waverins faith again the little soft hand
pleaded for entrance, and the tremulous voice
cried piteously. fr f s...
"Ciarley, darling. dear sweet little brother,
please open tho door to your own poor Katie
Don't love the little angels better than Inc. 0|
Charley! Charley!'
She threw herself upon tho wet ground, and
sobbed In an agony Of grief and dissppoint-
ment. l.-. ...
"Katio." said Belle. half frightened at this
outburst. "let us 60 hume now aud come again
Tomorrow and try"
She rose without another sober fresh tear
even upon her wet cheek; but the grieved ex.
preston Of tho sweet childish mouth was ptiful
10 behold. Back again over tho drcary way
went Katie and Belle Little shoes wet, little
dresses dripping, little heads bent down like
dew.laden flowers, little hearts very heavy.
At Katie's door stood her anxious mother
peering through the shadows for her darling.
The child sprang to those loving arms, and
with ono cry, that spoke all the agony OF bitter
doubt that .crept into her young. confident
"Oh. mother hive been knocking At the
door of heaven. and Charley would not let inc
in" f..t .-.- - .I .r.
Dear. grieycl little Katie, refusing to be com.
forted In this, thy first sorr0W, Il may DO that
ere the yiolets como again, Gods hand will
bcckon unaware, aud with better guido thou
shalt, indeed, find the door Of heaven. Then
knock, little pilgrim, and thou shalt be heard
amid the hallelujahs Vt tho heavenly choirs.
Back shall roll the blessed portals, and Char.
Icy shall lead thee, with eager. wings TO the
song Of the angels shall be 'Of such Is the king
dOm Of Heaven rt.a MI
The soul lofty and serene. inaccessible to
common passions and common emotions, rising |
.h,vo sha rinud. anil tha aha nj this World.