The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

1
| Only 20 me, the angel Peace,
Promises Freedoms blest release.
ny home viii be where Edena gates
1 Invite the pilgrim lorn
| Where bright fnhlment's charm awaits,
The trust Of faith upborne.
4 The Joys en- earth denied 60 me,
| There, shall be mine, eternallyt
| remained q year with the gentle girl !;
and learned much faith ard trust from her
example. For the last three months her
strength had gradually declined, until all
wasted as she was, she became mere
shadow. But still the large eyes beamed
brilliantly, the intellect remained unimpsr
ed Father and mother, brothers aud sis
tiers, expressed their solicitude; she smiled
calmly on them all. She said to me one
day: 81 shall 60" pointing above, "in a
Iweek from to-day, at sunset" she said it IN
her usually clear, decisive voice, and forbade
me mentioning it TO any one. | deemed il
only sick fancy, and yielded obedience
But on that day week, she fulfilled her own
prediction, and at sunset slept calmly, never
again to awaken in the home Of earth
A common sorroS renders "all akin - the
worldly mother did turn heavenward' in
spirit, as she wept over the lfeless clay Of
the wronged girl; even the stern father re-
laxed into natural grief, and shamed nobler
countenance. The fast young men, Ada's
brothers, looked Jlemnly retrospective as
they turned frem the face of the dead
Though all returned 10 their former habits,
TO ther iavorite pursuits, vet the goodly
seed Of example had been sown; and Ada
had not lived or died in vain
The night after the funeral, | sat alone
with gloomy thoughts and dire forebodings
was again thrust into the world was
again face TO lace with all the hardship Of
earning a livelihood. The needle cleaned
before me-, an instrument of torture again
confronted the numberless humiliations Of
the needie-w0man again, lacked the very
necessarles Of life cold, hunger, priyation,
lgibbered at me with 6endish zest, bow
cd my head in my clasped hands and Yept
most bitterly.
| had replenished my wardrobe; | had
performed some little deeds Of good for
others; had about fifty dollars left how
long would that last me in the great cxpen-
lsIve city, | tormcntei myself bravely all
night and arose haggard and unrefreshed
The contrast with the awaiting poverty was
all the Iaore terrible from the condition OF
comparatve luxury and ease with which
hadSbee favored. Truly it was long, dark
night, but at last the morning came
had eaten nv solitary breakfast, when
Mrs. Mailhere's maid came to me and re-
lquested me to follow her to her mistress 5
presence. went with a sinking heart, ex-
pecting my immediate discharge
Mrs. Mailliere was sitting in an arm
chair, her mourning handkerohief applied to
her eyes. The girl Withdrew, and respect
ing the mothers grief kept silent.
"Miss Vernon" she said between her sobs
81 never knew loved my poor, sick Ada 50
much You were very good to her she
has remembered you, she had property Of
her own, she verbally requested me to give
this to you. Do not scruple to accept il, II
IS fairly yours, and il will relieve you mach,
/ | have no doubt perhaps ensure you against
want in the future. Ii is large sum to
many. II would be trfie TO others And,
Miss Vernon" the lady's voice trembled, III
have ever SAID anything to wound your
feelings, forgive me for the sake Of the dear
departed ~ and throwing herself forward on
the table she wept and sobbed in the utter
abandonment of a mothers grief [ went
down on my knees beside her, and soothed
her into calm; ! spoke TO her in living
words Of consolation and hope, that did good
TO both our souls.
"kemain here as long as you please
1 Grace" she said in the kindest manner /.
'remain until You decide on the best way ii
Investing your money. And come TO me
again this afternoon you sooth me into
peace ~
took the roll Of bank bills, dear Ada's
\ gift, and left the room.
''Thauk Heaven - | exclaimed 'though
| should ever have loved ler without such
a reminder, | am most grateful The evil
day ! dread may at least be postponed
| counted my treasure; amazeInent thrill
ed me mute; Joy deprived me Of uttersnce !
! was overwhelmed and stunned hv tbe sud
den turning Of the tidei The life Of needle
toll and wearing anxiety was dream Of the
past in my hands held home and frugal
competence; every good of life seemed in
my reach; surely it was morning with me
at last
| Falling reverentIy on my knees, held my
gift on high, aud though my lips refused to
speak, my soul gave forth its utterance: "A
thank thee, God p
| held within my prayer clasped, tremb-
ling hands, the sum Of one thousand dollars 7