The Shasta courier., 1865-02-25

seemed to comprehend at once all the misery
ofthe hour and the place. At the sight of
Mary's face, lying on the rumpled pillow.
saw him start, while the shadow OF great
fear seemed to settle upon him.
Have come home to find death here be-
fore me ?'
He turned to me mpIoringly.
Death is everywhere, !" answered :" but
while there is life there is hope"
And had my trunk full of gifts for the
darling!"
Has Tom come? Why don't you bury
home, %om /! 1t is getting dark. and l want
to kiss you before | 90 to seep''
Poor Tom There was no welcome in the
voice he longed to heer-no recognition
weary complaint Would she indeed 90
away into the dark. leaving no good. by be.
hind for the brother come home from the
seas +?
The hours slipped on. Crouching down
IN corner the children fell asleep. The
mother, worn and exhausted laid her head
on Toms broad shoulders and wept herself
into unconsciousness. So, sitting silently.
he and Watched beside the bed At inter.
walls the sick one murmured his name in her
delerium; and I could hear him whispering
to himself, "Spare-her, Lord ~ So the
night passed on.
just as the dawn touched the roof stand.
ing over the little sufferer, saw her eyes
open with calm. natural look, and present
ly heard the word,
g Mother?'
Thank God She was safe. The crisis
had passed. She would live.
Tom is here" l said. bending nv Inns
close to hers.
Oh the glad look that came into her ewes as.
obedient to my call, he bowed his head over
her pillow From the very borders of the
River of Death she had come back to erect
the dear wanderer, sighing and praying for
her return.
At the breakfast table, on Christmas morn
ing. told the story of the night to my hap
py household. | think young Bob was as
tonished at seeing tears in my eyes; but
couldn't recte my narrative without feeling
more tenderly than was my wont. Mrs. Dr..
Bob cried like q BOBBY and for that matter
so did all the rest. But very soon it was
clear sky again in our faces. Then l made
a suggestion.
Not long after, that suggestion being con
Cured in by the family conference, process
sion fled out from the kitchen of DR.. Robert
Jeryis, No. 20l9 Grand Street. and marched
courageously toward 90 Dark Lane. At the
head of said procession marched Dr. Bob him.
self, bearing a huge basket of provisions be-
hind him came Mrs. Dr. Bob with another
basket, heaped with clean linen and dainties
adapted to the palate of an.invalid. while
still behind marched all the little Jervises.
each loaded with basket, pail, or package,
Biddy bringing up the rear with a turkey
" Drowned to a turn" Down Grand Street
up BARK Lane, straight to the door of the
Joneses, the procession marched; through the
door it pressed unialter.ngly, each basket
being finally placed on the plain table where
Mrs. jonses's weary head was leaning, with
Toms hand sDioothing her matted hair. Then
while the junior .Jeryses marched homeward
again, we unpacked our stores, spread q
bountiful repast, and summoning all to par
take, ourselves - served at tabe''-tbe poor
mother crying and eating by turns, while
Tom saluted each mouthful with smile and
a blessing on the donors.
Then Toms Christmas presents were dis
tributed-Mrs. DR.. Bob read psalm from an
old Bible which Mrs. Jones produced from
her pocket; Tom said q word of prayer, and
we went home-home to our happy children,
with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving to
the Father of US all