American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-08-08

tetudl DiesstbS'
To him who has won the love of my
child, do give her. who has striven to
make my life happy, who, thinking an-
other to be preferre before her, spared
neither time nor pains to make my exist
ence one of continual sunshine. lisa, my
noble, self-sacrifcing daughter, may Heav-
en- shower unnumbered blessings upon you,
and upon him whom you have preferred
to all others. God bless you both" As
he finished speaking, the warm tears
which suffused his eyes fell, one by one,
on my hand, and until that night l never
knew how we'll my father loved me-
As we rose and were leaving the room,
he requested that Maud might be sent to
him; but she came in, jus. in season to
hear his remark For two hours she re-
mained in the library, and when she
came out her face was Of deathly pallor ;
but she strove to appear cheerful. 1t was
in vain, however, and making the excuse
of letter to write, she kissed us " good
night" aud left us alone.
little thought, my darling sister, it
would be the last time should ever re.
ceive your sweet kiss, or that had held
your hand to my heart for the last time !;
but So it was, for the next morning when
We were all assembled ut bresk fast, as
Maud did not appear, my father sent to
her room to see why she did not come
down, and the girl brought back word
that she was not there, that her bed was
still made, and a letter was lying on the
table.
Springing from my seat | ran up stairs
to find note sealed and directed to me.
Tearing it open l read, and for many
weary weeks knew nothing of passing
scenes. The following is copy from the
original which l still retain. -
"Sept 19, 1876.
elsa, DARLING Twas but a mo.
ment ago left you, and / have hidden
you "good-by" so many times in SINH
lar manner, you thought nothing of it;
but, my sister, it is the last time | shall
ever press my lips to yours again.
have heard Of your happiness, and may
God bless you, for, before you are his
wife. l shall be numbered among the
dead. You love him teaderly | know /;
but | gave him all the wild idolatry of my
nature. | do not blame my father even
If he would have chosen George for my
husband; but did no, love him, and |
would not marry where could not give
my heart.
81 have loved the calm, still waters of
the lake, and in them [ shall find sweet
resting.place. know before this meets
your eye, shall be at rest. so | do not
hesitate to tell you where you may 6nd
all that remains of your sister.
lisa, sweet treasure, my trnest. friend,
farewell until we meet above. Kiss my
father for me and comfort him in his sor-
row. Give Freddie loving sisters last
embrace, and Charlie may you both be
happy. Father, brother, sister, Charlie,
all farewell. "MAUD."
They searched the lake as she had said
until they foun her body, and buried it
on its shore, where they raised a marble
cross to her memory Only "Maud" was
inscribed there, aud yet that enc word
speaks volumes, telling us of sweet,
childlike being who darted as quickly as
a ray of sunlight across our pathway.
My father is bent, and his hair is grey.
The death of his idol nearly severed the
silver cord of his existence but he ral-
lied after much suffering. He never
mentions my sister, and it is only by her
letter that we know what his convcrsa.
tion was about the night before her death
After two years l laid aside my mourn
ing apparel for one of pure white when |
became the wife of Charlie Bennett.
Ten years ago tonight my sister died !;
but to me it comes as wildly as if it were
only yesterday. We live in the same
house yet, for my father would not leave
1t, and there is another little Maud skip
ping through it who bears some resem
blance to our lost sunbeang little Char.
lie, too. who comes with his childish prat
tie for me to see his sister. Tonight, as
I stood at my window overlooking the
lake, seemed to feel an arm steal round
me, kiss imprinted on my forehead and
3 sweet voice saying, II am watching
over you, lisa, sweet sister" | turned
and seemed to see before me the Maud oe
other days; but ] know she is an angel
above, and | no longer weep for the de-
parted. ME-. L.
-se-~asA<$>-
Henry Ward Beccher has lately been
pitching into the pract ce. Of working