Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-15
Minnie's Dream.

Dear little Minnie came down to
breakfast with her cheeks rosy, and
her bright eyes having such depth to
them, that papa and mamma both no.
ticed it. Mamma said with a smile.
"Have the bright angels been in
your dreams, Minnie, that you look so
happy ?"
a think they were almost, mamma"
said Minnie; "for have had curious
dream. | thought | was out in
deep, dark wood, and | didn't know
the way out. | could hear wild beasts
bowling dreadfully not far away, and
| was afraid they would come and
find me by and by. When it grew
very dark l called and called, and
cried because was afraid. Just then
there came out of the dark tall,
strong man. and O, with such noble
face and as he looked down into my
eyes, he said,
"What, is my little girl lost in the
great wood ?"
Then, when l still cried-but now
for joy that | was not alone-he took
my hand in his, and led me on through
the woods. Then | said.
Il am afraid the wild beasts will
bite u.s."
"You are in no danger while | am
with you," he said. Il can keep them
all off"
And he looked as if he could; for
he seemed so strong and brave, and
his face had such a calm, kind look,
that | knew nothing would frighten
him. So we walked on through the
wood, and when | was tired he took
me in his arms; and | felt SO safe, as
| could hear his great heart beat
But | loved better to walk by his
side and hold his hand.
By-and-by we came to great rock
| that rose right up in the path, and |
~ lat know what we could do. So |
7NGSRed up to see his face, because |
thought he had lost his way. too.-
You can't think how calm and kind he
looked then. But | was afraid when
he pointed to a hole in the rock, and
said,
Here is dark wav through the
rock, and it is the only way out of the
wood. Will my little girl be afraid
to trust herself to me, and 60 with me
down into it ?"
| wasn't bit afraid when | looked
into his face again, and thought how
kindly he had led me and carried me
so far through the wood. So | told
him | would trust myself to him any
where-only | didn't like the cold and
damp of the dark cave. Then he said
to me, "stoop down, Minnie, and look
into the cave"
30, mamma, you can't think what |
saw. Through tho dark, that only
went little way, | saw such beau
tiful place, where people were going
about over such smooth green lawns,
where fountains were playing and
sweet music was sounding-I could
just hear the music, and o, it was bet
ter than any ever heard before
There were children there too, and
they were so beautifully dressed
Mamma, | didn't feel bit afraid OF
the dark | had to 90 through.
SO | took hold Of the dear, strong
mans hand again, and we were Just
going into the cave when | woke up
| was so sorry to wake up, dear nam.
na."
When mamma told Minnie that just
such a great wood our life is, and that
there are great wild beasts, called
temptations, that come to destroy peo
pie that are lost in it, little Minnie
loved better the dear Saviour, who is
the strong man that leads those who
| put their hands in his, out through the
dark wood.
Mamma told Minnie that the dark
passage through the rock was just
like death which looked dark and cold
and damp, till one had looked through
it-as Jesus teaches US to-and then
one always wanted to 60 through
Little Corporal,