Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-23
Annie's Flower.

The soft June breeze came in through the
open windows, ladened with the breath Of
( flowers, insect hum and bird carol. 1t swept
/ lightly over Annie Lees pale brow, and some.
what soothed the weary little girl Poor An
ME had not been able forEmonths to walk
across the room without aid and as she Law
there on the lounge, looking out on the beau
ty Of earth and sky, while the warm sunlight
played upon he pillow great longing SEEM
ed to fill her soul longing 1forl heaven, and
rest, and freedom Her mother had already
passed on to that better home but she had a
kind father who loved her very dearly, and
a gentle, swect-faced auntie to care for her.
The doctor, too, was always kind she was
sure he pitied her, and did all in His power
for her relief aud the children who used to
be her schoolmates often came to see her,
Her room was very pleasant. Grand old
lindens shaded IT, and the prairie rose climbed
around her windows. whence she could see
the blue sparkling river, and the distant mist
wrapped hills On table beside her were
books, full OF pretty pictures and stories,
and deicately carved vase filled with fresh
flowers. Everywhere was thoughtful care
for her comfort Annie knew that many
blessings clustered around her, and she was
not ungrateful yet at times her pain and
weariness seemed more than she could bear,
and she longed to leave the frail little form
that the doctor said could never be strong
again. aud 90 home.
Children, do you know any little lame girl
like Annie Lee? If you do, be assured that
any kindness you can offer, lending a story
D1ehi pfin7sA5 sfi~ "i'. So -s'''-- II
berries, which her poor little feet eau not 90
for, any such kindness will be to her of four
fold value
Shall read to you, dear2" asked auntie,
coming with her quiet football into the sunny
room She bent over the child with a tender
kiss, and smoothed the soft brown hair
" Not now, auutie, thank you,' Anfie re-
piled, YEARLY, and lay so still that her kind
friend thought she might 90 to sleep so she
took her sewing and sat silently by, while
Annie's eyeids dropped more and more till
she was wrapped in slumber
She seemed to have been sleeping some
time, when she felt gentle hand on her
brow, and opening her eyes, saw her own
mothers face bent over her. The pain and
woariness were all fed and she found herself
! in a lovely garden. Large trees mingled
/ their pleasant shadows with the golden sun
/ light flowers, more beautiful and fragrant
than those of earth, were all about her; bright
/ birds warbled, and clear fountains murmured
and in the walk and on the grassy lawns play
ed many little children, clad in pure white
and crowned with blossoms With thrill
of rapture, Annie thought, This is heayen!"
Presently form Of light moved down the
] L.. II 81 l1r,v 4bcs,
play and ran to meet him. Annie knew that
face, radiant with loves own glory that
smile and voice. as he put his hands on them,
aud lifted the youngest in his arms, could be
only her Sayiour's and she joyfully arose,
clasping her mothers offered hand, to ap.
proach Him. His look of welcome turned
toward her; yet at this moment her mother
said
Dear child hast thou forgotten thy Gow-
er ~
Then Annie noted that all the angel-chil-
dren wore some flower on their breast wore
il in honor Of Him, lilies, roses, violets, and
many others but all had brought their own,
that they had loved and tended while on
earth and when made an offering to Him he
had breathed on them, and touched them thus
with immortal life
1t flashed into her thought that she had left
in her early home a tiny slip, root, of some
fair flower and the angel-mother said, as
she read the little girls uplifted eyes Thou
hast been in haste, my child Thou didst
not wait to tend thy plant till il should bios
som forth in beauty. Return, dear little one'
THAT IS thy work and thou shaitsco with
thy flower blooming on thy breast TINT He