Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-22
A Hasty Word.

placeI rare elslan vase, Win EVSSOHu just
unfolding its crimson petals in it. The stand
fell over, and the vasc-a gift frcn my mother
was shattered.
"You naughty boy" cried angrily, "yoa
deserve to be whipped. Pick up those
pieces instantly and put them in the coal hod.
lie stopped. carefully picked up the fragments,
carried them away and was gone for some
time. When he returned II was with some
thing tightly clasped in his hand.
Coming to Inc he placed fve-cent pioco in
my hand, saying timidy
"Will that buy You new vase, mamma !!
What evil genius possessed INC TO take the
coin, his sacredly-cberiShed treasure a neigh
Dor had given him, aud throw it from ne, |
know not,
Harry picked il up with tears running. and
ss. down upon his stool with his hands folded
so meekly. Presently he said:
Mamma, may | 90 and play with Eddy
Potter ?"
al don't care where you go" said Grossly,
as long as you keep out Of my sight"
Harry went to the closet where his coat and
hat hung, put thcm on and came aud stood
by my side.
Mamma, will you please forgive mo? I'm
SO sorry !" and be put up his lips for kiss.
o! God forgive me. pushed the little fol-
low away. lie stood by the door a moment
looking pitiiully at me. Il is twenty-five
years ago to-day since he stood there but !
can sec him, with his blue coat and red and
gray worsted sksting-csp as tho little feet
went slowly down the stairs. heard him go
out and unfasten tho gate. Looking out Of
tb I tla Ia f.l1 20
with smile as he saw me, which gave place
to pi:iful quiver Of tho lips as he saw took
no notice of him. watched the darling down
the street with strange, underlined feeling,
till the little coat and red nittens wero no
longer visible. Twice sudden impulse NOV
cd me to call him back, but | crushed il down.
Oh would to God had Well, sewed all
the Winter afternoon. At four o'clock | put
away my work and sat by tho window. Con-
science begun TO roproach me for my conduct.
al don't care" said I, "my beautiful vase Is
in ruins"
What Is The value OF oil tho vases In the
world, compared with yoar child ? Have you
not spoken Grossly to that dear little Harry,
who is always so cheerful and obodient7 And
this Is not tho FIRST time either; and you call
yourself Christian mother, too. Suppose
Harry shotld be suddenly taken away from
you, would not your cruel words haunt you
forever?
picked up tho stray litter about the room to
give it more tidy appearance.
Then | went 10 The window, peering anx-
iously through the gloom, but seaing nothing
Of my boy, my heart became heavy; this sus-
penso was unboarablS Hastily throwing a
shawl over my head, ran into Mrs. Potters.
"Have you seen Eddie ?" was the question
before entered the room.
"Have you seen Hsrryi"
I" II. was over here at half-psst two he and
Eddie went over to josie Grays think"
What she thought never knew, for at that
moment the door flew open and Eddie rushed
in breathless, screaming
"0hl mother, mother Harry Lorlng is
drowned We were sliding on The millpond,
and there was a hole in the ico, with snow on
it, and Harry didn't see il, and
Hush Eddie" said his mother, looking OF
me fearfulIy " hero is Mrs. LOriug."
There was a great silence in the room, brok-
on only by the blithe, sweet voice Of the cana
ry aud the purr Of Maltese cat Presently
Mrs. Potter camo towards me, and placed her
hand softly on my shoulder, saying, Ella,
my poor child"
But l never moved, but sat gazing with
wide open eyes upon an awful picture 4 cold,
gray afternoon, pond, little figure well
known to me suddenly disappearing through
the treacherousice, down, down, the little hand
graspipg at cruel weeds, the sweet mouth full
Of water. And those wicked, sinful words
ringing through my ears" don't care where
you 80, so long as you keep on. Of my sight"
There was mist before my eyes, q ringing In
my ears. remember leaving tho house with q
blind feeling of going where my Harry was
Then came horrible sense Of the earth break
ing away under my feet, and knew no more.
A pleasant feeling Of warmth, lansuid
sense perYaded my whole system. | opened
my eyes and glared around the room. a
strange woman By the fire : at the foot Of the
bed my husband, with his hands over his eyes.
tried 10 think where was and what had
happened, but in vain. Then my attention
was arrested by a little figure in red flannel
night dress cuddled up in big chair-my
Harry. Then it all flashed across my mind
sat up straight in bed with faint, "Why,
what is it % said |, feebly.
"You must not talk lie down Oh! dar-
ling" and the strong man wept like child.
And the little figure came and jumped on my
neck, cried too And !, puzzled TO know
what it all meant, cried also. The strange
figure came and took Harry away, saying: r
"Bc careful now. Mr.. LoTing; everything
depends upon quiet.
"Tell me all now" said ] Il must know.
had such horrible feeling. Oh, Harold, |
dreamed Harry was drowned"
BIS face grew white.
"Ho was nee. DEATH George Gray got him
out Of the pond. Gray sent down to the Office
for me. went after DR.. Hopper and came
right up. There was but q spark O. life, but
we succeeded at last"
"How many days ago was it, Harold ?"
said I.
"Segen weeks ago, yesterday" said he
smiling.
"Seven- weeks !" said | " Impossible !"
You have been sick with the brain fever,
Ella. You were very near death for days we
despaired Of ever seeing you conscious. You
would say, Harry is drowned, and made
him drown himself" Last night DR.. Hopper
says Tbs crisis Is at hand If she lives through
the q. h: she will &c: we'll" Oh, Fila ! am
SO thankful you are spared 70 ne"
81 have been weak and sinful, said ! and
then told him all, not keeping back anything.
He heard me through, stroking rny hair in
a gentle fashion. When had finished ne
said :