Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-02-02

sight Of little Mary's face. lying on the
rumpled pillow, saw him start. While the
shadow Of great fear seemed to settle up
on him. - -
| Have come home to find death here
before me?"i e IS
Returned to me imploringly.
death is every WHERE | answered;
"but while there is life there is hope"
And had my trunk full of gifts for
the dsrling?"
HAS Tom come? Why don't you
hurry, home Tom? It's getting dark, and
| want to kiss You before 1 go to sleepp'
Poor Toni There was no welcome in
the voice he longed to hear--no recogni-
tion-only weary complaint. Would she
indeed go away into the dark, leaving no
good-by behind for the brother come home
from the ,eas?''
The hours slipped on. Crouching
down in o corner the children fell asleep.
The mother, worn and exhausted. laid hel
head on Toms broad shoulder and wept
herself into Inconsistencies. So, sitting
silently, he and watched beside the bed
at intervals the sick one murmured bis
pane in delirium; and l could hear him
whisper to himself, "Spare--spare her,
Lorl!" So the night passed on.
Just as the dawn touched the roofs,
standing over the little sufferer. saw her
eyes open with calm. natural look, and
presently heard the word,
"AIother?"
Thank God. She was SAFE The crisis
had passed. She would live.
''Ton is here" | said, bending my lips
close TO hers.
Oh the glal look that came into her
eyes. as obedient to my call, be bowed his
head over. her pillow! From the very Dor
ders of the River of Death she had come
back to greet the wanierer, signing and
praying for her return.
| At the breakfast table, on Christmas
morning, told the story of the night. to
my happy household Think young Bob
was astonshed at seeing tears in my eyes;
but i couldn't recite my narrative without
feeling more tenderly than was my won't
Mrs. DR.. Bob cried like BOBBY; and for
that matter, so did all the rest But very
soon il was clear sky again in our faces
Then made suggestion.
Not long after, that suggestion being
concurred in by the family conference, a
procession filed ont from the kitchen of
DR.. Robert Jarvis, No. 20l9 Grand street,
and marched courageonsly towards 90
Dark Lane. A: the head Of said process
sion marched DIR. Bob himself. bearing a
huge basket of provisions; behind him
came Mrs. DR.. Bob. with another basket,
heaped with clean linen and dainties adapt
ed to the palate of an invalid, while still
behind marched all the little Jarvises, each
loaded with basket, pail, or package,
Biidy bringing up the rear with q turkey
drowned to turn" Down Grand ST.,
up Dark Lane. straight to the Jones's the
procession marched; through the door it
pressed unfalteringly, each basket being
finally placed on the plain table where Mrs
Jones's weary head was leaning. with
Toms hand smoothing her matted hair
Then While The Junior Jarvises marched
homeward again. Ge unpacllel our stores
spread bountiful repast, and surnmoning
all to par,ake, ourselves Served at ta1lle"
tho poor mother crying and eating By
turns while Tom salu!ed each mouthiul
with smile and blessing oh the donors
Then Toms Christmas presents were
distributed-Mrs. Dr. Bob read psalm
from an old Bible which Mrs. Jones pro-
duced from her pocket; Tom said word
Of prayer; and we went Monochrome to
our happy children, with hearts full OF Joy
and thanksgiving to the Father of us all.
That was my last and my happiest
Christmas; anil have not told my story
in vain if it has suggested to any that
there is nothing which gives so sweet a
flavor to our own Christmas cheer as kind
action done for any Of Gods poor, in the
name of him whose birth was like the us
ing OF a great Hope to world astray.--
Horper's Heekiy.