National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-05-10
with snow on it, and Harry didn't see it

"lIusl,, Eddie said his mother, look
ing ut me fcarfully; "here is Mrs Lon
ing"
There was great silence In the room
broken only by the blithe, sweet voice
n canary, and tho purr of Maltese cat
Presently Mrs, Potter came towards me
and placed her hand softly on my shoul
der. saying, ELLA, my poor child"
But never moved, but sat gazing VIII
wide open eyes upon an awful picture
A cold gray afternoon, pond, and littl'
figure well known to me suddenly disap
pearing through the treachcrous ice, down
down, the little hand grasping at thu
treaohcrous weeds, the sweet mouth ful
of water. And those wicked, sinful words
ringing through my ears -" don't care
where You go, so long as you 'eep out o
my sight There was mist before m,
eyes, ringing in my ears. member
leaving the house with blind cling o
going where my Harry was. y n cam'
a horrible sense of the earth breaking
away at my feet, and knew no more.
A pleasant feeling of warmth, languid
sense pcrvaded 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 to think what
had happened, but in vain. Then my at
tention was arrested by little figure in
a red flannel night dress cuddled up in Q
big chair-my Harry. Then it all flashed
across my mind sat up straight in bed
with faint, "Why, what is it
"You must not talk; lie down. Oh
darling" and the strong man wept like a
child. And the little figure came and
jumped on my bed, and, putting his arms
around my neck, cried too. And !, puz-
zled to know what it all meant, cried also,
The strange figure came and took Harry
away, saying
abe careful now, Mr.. Loring; every
thing depends upon quiet"
"Tell me all now" said 81 don't
know. had snch horrible feeling. Oh,
Harold dreamed Harry was drowned. "
His face grew white.
lie was near 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 spark of life but we succeeded at
last"
GLOW many days ago was it, Harold r.
SAID l.
"Seven weeks ago, Yesterday" said he
smiling.
"Seyen weeks" said /. Impossible -
"You have been sick with the brain
fever, Ella. You were very near death :;
for days we despared of ever seeing you
conscious. You would say, Harry is
drowned, and | made him drown himself.
Last night DR.. Hopper said, The crisis is
at hand if she lives through the night
she will get we'll Oh, Ella! | am so
thankful You are spared to me"
81 have been weak and sinful, Harold" !"
said |, and then told him all, not keeping
back anything.
He heard me through, strokng my hair
in a gentle fashion. When had finished
he said
"It has taught You lesson, Ella,
dear" And that was all.
| soon recovered. For long time !
could not bear Harry out of my sight.
1t seemed as if | could not do half
enough to atone for my wicked conduct
lt lHOuSili IldhtN lllS sAuNuNi NV 49, -
it had been that Harry had never come
back to me, and that the last words he
had heard from his mothers lips were so
unkind. ! have had three children since,
and not one of them has ever received a
cross or hasty word from me. Oftentimes
my patience is severely tired, but one
thought of that horrible death to which
Harry came so near, drives the demon
away.
Mothers, bear patiently with those lit
tie innocent ones. Are there not many
whose eyes, resting upon this simple
story, are filled with tears at the recol-
lection Of the unkind words, and even
blows, to little children laid away forever,
who would give all their worldly pos
sessions, yes, years Of their lives to recall
those hasty words which made their lips
quiver pitifully, and the clear eyes dim
with tears All. you cannot have them
back. They are gone, and your sin re
MAINS