The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-10-25
Calling the Fprrvutdn.

They reached the large river, the father and
his little daughter, late In the evening. The
woods through which they had passed reached
to the very brink; and rs the evening was
very cloudy, and the night very dark, the
woods seemed 70 render the gloom profoundly
deep. Far away on the opposite shore was
here and there faint light in the small, scat
tered houses, while farther Off still were the
bright lamps of the great city whittier they
were going. The child was weary and sleepy,
and chilled by the evening air. Nothing but
urgency would have induced the father TO be
out with her thus. As they came to the ferry
they found the boat over on the other side,
where the ferryman lived.
SO the father shouted and called, but no
voice answered then he would walk to and
fro, and speak 10 his child and try to comfort
length he saw n little light move, and heard
the moving of the boat Nearer and nearer
the noise came, but it was too dark to see the
boat. But it came across, and the travellers
entered.
FEATHER ?"
Well, my child3"
! Its very dark, and I can't see the shore
where we are going -
No, little one; but the ferryman knows
the way, and we will soon be over, and then
soon home in the city, where will be q light
and n good fire.
'Oh l wish we were there now, father -
Slowly and gently the boat swung off in the
stream and though it was dark, and the river
seemed to run fast, they were carried safely
over and the child soon forgot her great fear.
In short time after they landed, she reached
her home, where loving arms received her
where the room was warm with fire, and was
flooded with light.
On the bosom of love she rested, and her
chills and terrors, passed away.
Some months after this, the same little
child had come to another river, darker,
deeper, and more fearful still.
1t was the River of Death. When first she
came near 1t, the air seemed cold, ana DARK
ness covered it, and all seemed like night. The
same loving father stood near her, distressed
that his child must cross the river and he not
be able to 70 with her For days and nights
he had been, with her mother, watching over
her and leaving her bedside only long enough
TO take his meals, ana pray LOT Inc lic VI MS
precious child.
For hours she had been slumberinS very
quietly, and IL seemed as if her spirit was to
pass away without her waking again but
lust before the morning watch she suddenly
awuko. with tho eye bright, the reason I'M
clouded and every faculty alive Il sweet
smile was playing on the race.
Father | have come again TO the river
side and am again waiting LOT the Terry ih'th
to come and carry me over.
I,nos II seenI dark and cold rs it did when
wo crossed the river
ruh. no. There arc no dark, gloomy trees
hero Tho river is not black, bat covered with
no,tinr silver The boat coming toward me
eho;ns To ho made of solid light; and though
tho fnrryman looks dark. | am not afraid OF
him ' ,.,
,,Con my child soc across the river
con VOC but instead of the little twink
linz Limit here and there, rs before, can see
, great beautiful city, Hooded with ilght ana
Glory. I soc no sun and no lamp, no moon or
rtarz bat IT. is full of light. An l. hear Inu-
sic 100. coming softly over the river, sweet ~
the angels could make
"I'an YOU see any one on the other bank OF
the river y
Why yes see One the most beautltn
firm ever saw and what face what &
smile, And now He beckonS me to come
O, frryman, make haste! | know who it is
II is Jesus my blessed Jesus l shall 81
received into His arms! l shall rest in His
bosom
And thus she crossed the dark river, made
like n silver stream by the presence OF thu
blessed Redecmer. The father and mother
wrpt: hut Joy and sorrow mingled in theil
tears They could almost see the golden gate:
open to receive their loved one and they Their
understood the words of the prophet: Thy
child shall die an hundred years old"