Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-06-03

them?n they asked; "Asd they not striven to
90 their duty. and 10 bring their children Mp
properly? How had they deserved this attic
uon!" Wei was ii then for them that Mr..
oakley was at hand with his words OF comfort
ana exhortation, 10 teach them that resignation
Is not q mere sullen submitting 10 what we are
powerless to prevent, but thankful receiving
OF GODS chastisements, and faithful acknowl-
also WAS IL for them that old Mrs Rood had
already learned the lesson Of Christian resigna-
ton, and was able, through Gods blessing, to
SOW q eds which in His own good time He
caused TO bring forth plentiful harvest.
Three years had now passed since the fever
and although there was often q wistful look In
the faces of both, the bitter feeling had been
followed by one OF complete ust, and the gift
OF that peace which faith brings might be seen
In the holy smile which often Passed over the
faces OF the bereaved parents. Lonely as the
realize that their little ones were not lost, but
had only gone before, and were safely stored In
the Fathers heavenly garner.
AS Mr.. Oakley and the doctor drove slowly
along-for the road TO C0ttingham, which the
loss OF the bridge obliged them to take, was very
rough and bad-they both felt heavy at heart
when they saw the injury caused by the flood;
wateI-some Of these had been sown with corn,
which, most probably, was now spoilt; others
had been lately ploughed, and that had been
cause for rejoicing, and both felt it; excepang
Mrs. Grey's baby, and the accident to old Mrs.
Rood, they have heard OF no lives being lost in
the iDundation; and with both those, they had
the comfort of feeling that the baby was safe
IN her Fathers arms, and that with old Mrs.
sheaf.
As each thought of the many who had lived
in fancied security on the rivers shore, unpre-
pared for death, and forgetting the uncertainty
orlife, tn many to ~hom sudden death would
have been summons to everlasting misery,
they could but feel grateful that such had yet
been grant space for repentance, and given
s1ch an awful warning; and prayer went up
from both of them that this warning might be
tnTned to the profit of all. Ii such were the
case, they felt that any loss of corn or houses
and lands would signify but little in COMPARE
son with the mortal gain.
So musing, the way seemed but short; and
almost before they expected 1t, they stood in
front Of the far house.
1t was a quaint brick building, whose red was
softened by age; heavy beams or wood, painted
black, adorned the outside; and there were
maDy gables and curious outings out in the old
house. The front was almost covered with
roses and other creepers, and there was q
strange old-fashio1ed garden with yew hedges
and box-bushes cut into queer shapes, whilst
in the summer the borders were bright with the
dear ld-fash0ned flowers, whose hOmely
beauty and sweet, long Lasting scent are so far
above those of any modern plant. Beyond this
v as field leading down to the river; but in the
inundatlOn the Spathy had evidently mounted
up TO the border of the garden, and washed
even into the farther end OF that.
AT the sound Of the wheels Mrs. Rood ran to
the door to welcome the doctor, and was doubly
rejoiced when she saw Mr.. Oakley with him.
Both asked eagerly whether old Mrs. Rood was
"what, mother in-lawI" said the good woman,
looking surprised; "why, she's get nothing much
the matter with her; she hurt her wrist the night
OF the flood, when she was lifting something
but that's all; only 1t doe snt seem to get better,
81 John thought she'd better send for the
doctor; and as the farm lad was going in for
some stuff for one of our COWS who Is dying, L
asked him TO tell the doctor I'd take 1t kindly
il he'd step in sometime"
Didn't you send for me, then?" asked MIR.
oakiey. ihe message brouGht was that your
mother was dying, and wanted to see the doctor
and me!'
Mrs. Rood burst into hearty fit of tighter.
swell. if ever 1 knew such a stupid boy as
that Tom; how he's muddled 1t all up, to be
sure! did say I'd be glad to see you, sir il you
could come this way; but 1t was only because
wanted to ask your advice about something
which has troubled me little. IL the doctor
will step this way and see mother, I'll come
back and tell all about it."
When she returned MIR. Oakley greeted her
with: "Why. Mrs. Rood, never knew you had
baby: L am SO glad for you and your husband.
How old is it?''
"Bless It's little heart" SAID Mrs. Rood, as
she lifted the infant from the cradle and kissed
itbeartily-''it's none of ours, butts living
marvel, Fir, that It's here To speak for itself;
not that il can do that yet, but well hope 1t
may some day. But Go you sit down, and I'll
tell you all about it; just let me get you cup
OF tra-''
Having hustled about for her kettle and cups,
Mrs. Rood Sat down and said -" Well, you
see, cir, me and John WAS with mother on the
Rank last Friday, watch ~ the river; that was
sight, TO be sure-tle water ramping and
roaring. the rain falling, and such heaps of
queer things being carried past-gates and
rails, blocks OF wood, trunks OF trees, even
beds and chairs; we forgot all about the rain
az q stayed there long time. John had
bCst-h3Oh in bis hand, and tried 10 pull what
J cc,ii 90 shore, and mother and helped him.
A ias ahaya
Ing nesT, and John made q poke at II with the
hook; he'd all but missed II, but mother she'd
got stick In her hand, and betwixt them they
H. d it to shore. Would you believe IT, sir ?
II eide lay this baby, safely tied in, insensible
and nearly dead, as indeed was 10 have been
expected, for che was all soused with the rain
and knocked about shameful. We brought her
Up here, and betwixt Us. mother and /, fetched
her round after bit, and we've kept her ever
since All, cir! it looks like old times to see the
cradle full once more; but my heart aches
I'd be 10th TO part with her, for Johns taken
nightly to the little maid, and so, for that mat
ter, have j; but we'd not be so selfish as to keen
her fom her own mother, so thought I'd ask
II you knew OF any one who. has lost baby?o
Indeed / do, Mrs. Rood" said the clergy.
man joyfuly and he proceeded to tell all tn ad
happened to the Greys since the Gay Of the In
DO come and hear what's happened, moth.
err" cried the farmers wife to her mother-in-
law, who came to the door at this moment
ne DdDy IL Mrs. Ofey =, ana ner house has
been washed away; It's living wonder that any
of them were saved" And she repeated the
story, TO the sstonisment Of all.
Afttr some discussion IL was decided that Mr.
Oakley and the doctor were to return snd'pre.
pare the widow and her son for the joyful ne VS.
and that the Roods were TO bring little Mary
over In the c0urse of an hour. The pad seemed
far longer than when going to the farm as the
messengers OF good tidiDgs returned, and the
tine was very short IN which to break the news
TO {. e mourners.
Ii was strange how unable they seemed to
realize the truth-how much more ready to fear
hore trouble than to expect happiness.
When 81 last they did understand it, who can
exp, efs the Joy and thankfulness which filed
their hearts, or the eagerEess with which they
watched the farmers cart?
AT length 1t drew o before the door, and the
farmer, with his mother and the wife Carving
the precious baby, got out. In the Joy at re-
storing the infant to Its mother, the Rools almost
forgot their own loss, and they were too much
excited during the hour they remained at the
rectory to feel 10.
But, oh, how desoIate the great kitchen at the
farm felt on their return! No child in the era
die, no pretty baby prattle, and lettering, IN
certain footsteps.
For long time they sat In silence; the warm
fre-hght danced on the white-w washed walls,
the cat purred softly on the hearth, old Mrs
Rood's knitting needles clicked cheerily; but a
grave look OF sorrow was upon the faces OF all
the party. At last the farmer said: ado Won
,h4A W