Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-07-23
Little Fan.
ny MRS. NJ p BUTTS.

said little Fan, the tailor's daughter, as she
picked up some bits Of scarlet flannel to
make her doll an opera cloak 81 wish |
could ever have you to myself"
IL wish 50 too, dear" answered the
father, stitching away with all his might
upon the long seams Of a trowscrs leg.
" You don't have a very good time do you,
little FAM
90 indeed father, do; It's always a
good time when I'm with you only wish
you didn't have to work so hard, and could
take me into the country sometimes :" and
the child patted the thin cheek Of the little
dried.up man, and looked compassonaiely
into the sad eyes, bent so steadily upon The
scam. what q tall man it must be,
father, that owns those pantaloons you'll
never get to the end, and want you to
come TO supper"
"I've sowcd many long seam, and they
all came to an end, and this one will ; a
little patience, Fam and our days work
will be done. What have you got for sup
per, little one2"
Some nice toast, father and dried beef
and tea; | wanted to buy some cake at the
bakers but there wasn't money enough.
| wish you were Just a little richer, father
dear don't you2"
eyes and no."
ayes and no what do you mean by
that2"
81 mean yes, if | was sure that more
money would make us happier; we don't
always know what is best for us, little one. "
But, father, I'm sure it would be best
for you to 60 out more, and have more to
eat; think it is dreadful for you to bend
over those seams forever"
al shall not forever, my child you
know there is rest prepared. | some
times think that rest is not far off "
90, father" aud now the lutte bright
face grew cloudy. Don't talk that way
if you go to rest, you must take your little
Fan with you"
That ! cannot DO, my darling; we must
both work and rest in Gods good time
There is something that crave for little
Fan. am strangely anxious tonight that
she should have it,"
"What is that, father ?"
a real trust in the other Father.
want you to feel the same loving confidence
in God that you feel in me. can do very
little for you, Fan, but He can do every
thing" For answer, Fan stroked the wan
cheek, and took the work from the tailor's
lap, for the seam was done at last
Now, father, come to support" and the
tiny housekeeper fitted ahead into the
small room that served for dining aud cook
ing. "a nice cup of tea will make you
feel ever and ever so much better. After
supper we will 90 out and get the air shall
we, papa Brown"
elf I'm not too tired, Fam"
but you mustn't be too tired; it's very
naughty for you to be too tired. You are
not the same father you were last summer,
and it's all because you sew those dreadful
seams. | shall stop work if you don't give
me my salary; my salary, you know, is a
walk with you every night. want you
to 60 down by Mr.. Harkin's grounds the
roses are all in bloom; you don't know how
beautiful they are"
So when the Housekeeping was attended
to, they went out into the June twilight
down the street and round the corner, and
up cool, broad avenue they strolled, till
at last they found themselves by the lovely
grounds of the rich man.
80 father, wish had just one of those
perfect roses. See, they look like beautiful
queens and all the rest Of the flowers are
like maids of honor"
"They toll not, neither do they spin,
said the father.
A." here is one quito through the fence
she is saying good evening to us, father"
81 think hear her say something more
90, of course she says a great deal, il
one could but understand her language
but you dear, queer nice old papa Brown
what does the pretty pink queen say?'
"She says, little one" and the tailor's
voice grew sweet and tender, " she says,
waited and waited, and see what God has
done for me. Once was stripped of all |
possessed. was taken away from all
love1,'" here the tailor's voice trombled
=" still | waited, and God restored to me
all that He had taken, beautiful and per.
fected."
the ones she loved2" asked little Fan.
"She would have been, only she had no
room for sorrow, she was so sure that all
was best; she did not believe that God
loved her, she kneto"
'"What else does the rose say, father?"
"She says that if Gods human child only
knew what He had prepared for those that
love Him, and would wait His time, they
would grow into far more exquisite beauty
than the roses"
"What is il to wait Gods time ?"
at is to be sweet and patient when we
can't see why. As the rose said, 1t is to
kRoio that God loves us. Now we will 90
home, dear. believe the rose has taken
my strength away"
ave will come again tomorrow night"
said Fan, looking up wistiully, and reso.
lutely putting away from her heart the
thronging fears
"Yes, child, of course"
But the tailor was too tired to 90 and
see the roses when tomorrow night came,
and Fan was glad to urge him to 60 early
to bed, he looked so white and "pinched,"
as she expressed it. Poor WORKOUT father
Poor innocent, helpless little Fan! loving
little Fan
In the night there was call. Death,
who is loving angel to the good aud true,
pronounced in sweet accents the tailor's
name, aud he who was sorrowiul man be-
came-we know not what, but being free
and Joyous, we are sure, waiting somewhere
for his little Fan.
"And the child2" you ask. Alas, the
world is cold and hard, but God is above
the world. God, who provides for the wild
rose in the barren pasture, who sets the
daisies like stones in the meadows, provided
for little Fan for was she not of more
value" than theyP-Congregationalist.