Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-18

away tie present, and brought back the
past. He thought Of that short life, so
full of pain and yet of patience, of the
sunny nature which no cloud could over
shadow, and the simple trust which was
its strength and guide. He thought OF
that last night and saw now with clearer
eyes the sacrifice and the trials silently
bore for love of Bess.
The beautiful example of the child re-
buked the pass n of the man, and
through the magic of affection strength
ened generous impulses and banished
selfish hopes.
Il promised to be kind to Bess, and
with Gods help l will keep my vow.
Teach me 10 bear my pain, to look for
heiP whore you found it, little jamie,
and as he spoke, the young man s~~sd up
at the shining cross, striving to see in il
not merely an object Of the dead boys
but symbol of consolation, hope and
faith.
1T is noble thing to see an honest
man cleave his own cart in twain 10
fling away the baser part of it,
These words came to Walters mind
and fixed the resolution wavering there,
and as his glance wandered from the gray
tower to the churcbyard full of summer
stiffness he said within himself
This is the hardest struggle of my life,
but will conquer and come out from the
conflict master Of myself a: least, and
like Jamie, try to wait until the sunshine
comes again, even if it only shines upon
me dead like him.
II was no light task to leave the airy
castles built by love and hope and 60
back cheerfully to the solitude of life
whose only happiness for time was in
the memory of the past. But through
the weeks that bore one lover home, the
other struggled to subdue his passion,
and be as generous in his sorrow as he
would have been in his joy.
1t was no easy conquest; but be won
the hardest of all victories, that of self,
and found in the place of banished pride
and bitterness patient strength, and the
one desire to be indeed more generous
than brother to gentle Bess. He had
truly cleft his heart in twain and flung
away the baser part
A few days before the absent lover
came, Walter went to Bess, and with q
countenance whose pale serenity touched
her deeply, he laid his gift before her,
saying
4 owe all this to Jamie and the best
use | can make of it is to secure your
happiness rs promised him I'd try to
DO. Take it and God bless you, sister
Bess.'
And you Walter, what will your fu.
ture be if l take this and 60 away to en-
joy it as you would have me? Bess ask
ed, with an earnestness that awoke his
wonder.
Il shall work, Bess, and in that find
content and consolation for the loss of
you and jamie. Do not think of me
this money will do me far more good in
your hands than my own. Believe me
it is best to do SO, therefore do not hesi-
tate.'
Bess took it for she had learned the
cause of Walters restless wanderings
and strange avoidance of herself of late.
and she judged wisely that the generous
nature should be gratified, and the hard
won victory rewarded by the full accom-
plsbment OF its unsefsh ends. Few
words expressed her joyful thanks, but
from that time Walter felt that he held
as dear place as jamie in her grateful
heart, and was content.
Summer flowers were blooming when
Bess went from the old home happy
wife, leaving her faithful friend alone in
the little room where Jamie lived and
died.
Years passed, and Walters pen had
won for him an honored name. Poverty
and care were no longer his companions;
many homes were open TO him, but he
still fingered in the gloomy house, a SOL
itary man, for bis heart lay beneath the
daisies Of child's grave.
But bis life was rich in noble aims and
charitable deeds, and with his strong nature
softened by the sharp discipline ofsorrow,
and sweetened by the presence Of gen.
srous love, he was content to dwell alone
with the memory Of little Jamie, in the
shadow of the cross upon the tower
A shilling, spent idly by fool, may
De picked up by a wise man, who knows
better what to do with is; so it is not