Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-12-07
For the Herr
GONE BEFORE.

When first we met, it was not in the
capacity of teacher and pupil, but as
two strangers who did not know that
we were ever to occupy that relation.
She first showed me her flowers, and
told me the care and labor she be-
slowed upon them; next her shells
claimed our attention, and, ,ere we were
aware, the evening glided away. Thus
the time passed at our first meeting.
So fully did she interest herself in my
pleasure, and her conduct was SO kind
and amiable, that I could not refrain
from feeling, you have at least won
my undivided friendship. Soon after
she became pupil of our school, and
while we were thus associated, the
study of her character was ever an in
creasing delight, for through 1t was
reflected the we'll directed teachings of
her kind and loving parents. Many
pleasing glimpses Of these kind pa
rents have, through her character,
been brought clearly to view. l re-
member her composition, the last she
wrote--theme, "Rabbits"--not because
it was deep or profound. in thought, but
because there was so much of woman's
pure nature in 1t. 1t was permeated
by veins of affection not found in every
composition. 1t is u pleasing sight to
see the children an they 20 from school,
dancing, skipping, shouting, in great
glee toward their homes. But how diff
ferently we viewthe matter when they
70 TO- . home far better than their
earthly, though they go in a way ten
fold more lovely. To the teacher 1t Is
a pleasing sight to see his pupils as
they scramble up the hillocks to their
SUBMITS, and, then, one after another,
disappear until the last little head
mods down out of sight. Who could
refrain from exclaiming God bless
you, as the last little head vanished?
So over the hillocks of little troubles,
one of our number has vanished, not
to reappear on the opposite hill, but
has gone down into the valley Of death
from which she will not return to US
in this life, nor shall we see her again,
until God shall say lit is enough, come
up higher.u In, her removal society
has lost an excellent member, the
school good and faithful pupil, her
playmates q dear friend and class
mate, and, Oh! my God! what shall I
:. say the parents have lost? They have
lost her company for short time, but
4h.., k.,,c ~.n;rnI rrroof az ron ut n n tho
link that binds them to the glorious
future. They have lost that smile
which was . 'daily blessing to see,"
rs 1t played upon her countenance.
. They haveslost the sound Of her well
accustomed voice, yet that still small
voice they may ever hear as It directs
them onward and upward. Her chair
is vacant, for she has taken higher
seat. Her earthly, house" she has
vacated for O "mansion not built
4, with hands eternal in the, heavens"
When I think how gently her
life ebbed away, and how quietly
she sank into the arms Of our Father,
/ can but say it is sweet thus to give
hack the spirit. When she was we'll
nigh the end Of her earthly pilgrim
are, her little brother George came to
her bedside, and after taking his ac-
customed seat, whispered to his papa.
Z His father answering, said: "Lillie Is
soing to Sleep" The little fellow
! Kissed her then, not one time but
many, and soon she was asleep. Her
death reminded me Of my brothers
last words, which were: II hear the
angels singing" for so softly did she
depart, that l thought she, too, the
angels had sung to sleep. mo sleep
20 beautiful and calm, so free from
. trace Of pain, so fair to look upon"
Truly, "she seemed creature fresh
from the hand of God, and waiting fol
the breath Of life; not one who had
/, lived, and suffered DEATH" Yet, when
I looked into that earn, sweet face,
which was q perfect picture Of un.
: imarred repose, and thought how lonely
one home would be without 1t, / said to
myself, a great many times, ''it is toe
bad.n o God, forgive me for 1t is but
saying, thou doest not all things well.
did not attempt to console the parents
could not, In fact; / believe that
there are feelings that words will not
( expires, bnt find expression IN the
blttslest sGcly. Whether this Il
true With Fefefence to the ioss OF