Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-05-21
CHE family Circle.
The Old Miners Svnbram.

The Old Miners Sunbeam.
Milly, why do you 60 out on such
day? 1t is raining very fast again.
Yes, l see," said Mellicent Ward.
g But want walk, rain or no rain; and
water won't melt me, Nellic.''
" No. said her elder sister, patting the
rosy cheek which bent toward her as the girl
looked laughingly in her face. Water
won't blanch this color, think. Where
are you going ?"
"Over to the park. There 1t is bright
ers''
"a sunbeam through the rain; she'll
make an April day Of it, said Nellie to her,
self, with loving glance after the retreating
fgure but Mile did ut hear her, and even
the speaker little thought with how cheering
a light her sunbeam was to shine that after
noon.
Calling the maid who was waiting to ac
company her, Millio ran lightly down the
steps, aud d few minutes walk brought taem
to the park.
"Oh they are blasting rock up there,
Mary. There comes the red f,g," said
Milly, as they were walking briskly up one
of the roads in the upper part of the park.
8. Let US stand here where we can see the
blast"
The next moment the cry, - Fire fire -
was raised, and three workmen came d)wn
from the hill upon the side of which the dan
gerous work was going on. The girl and
her attendant stood waiting behind the labor
ers, watching for the explosion; but The
powder. dampened by the rain which had
been falling at intervals all day. missed fire,
and, alter waiting q reasonable time, the
workmen went back to their post.
s. Well, We may as well 60 on said
Ailly, am quite disappointed, for L"
dull rumble, followed by tetvy roar
and crash, interrupted her. Shouts and cries
followed close on the rattle of stones and
debris and before the two frightened women
had recovered themselv, 8, d man came rush
ing down the road, crying out wildly
" Go and help, Tom Old Billy's shot to
pieces. I'm of for the doctor -
Melicent Wards young eyes had never
looked upon such sight as that which met
them, when a moment later she bent over
the crushed and broken form, which lay on
the green hillside. Pausing neither to think
nor to fear, knowing only that dying mai,
needed help, she had seized Mary's had and
run quickly to the scene of the terri lie acct
| dent
He was an old man, with grizzl ed-gray
hair, and a rough, hard lace. That much
she saw as she knelt beside him, striving to
stanch the blood h,wing from a deep cut 10
his forehead as he lay with closed eyes
senseless and still
50 It's no use, Missus, it's no use," said
the laborer who had been left with him, a
sob breaking his voice as he spoke. 'And
it's all for me. l was bending over the
charge to see what was wrong wild it, aud be
saw 1t a comm, and just flung hisself front
of me. And him such likely man. to-, al
sixty years past. and as good for hard days
work as liver he was. But he's Just gone
now"
" Not yet, Tom," said feeble voice. and
the heavy eyelids were slowly lifted. :. No
gone yet, but just done for. lad, and that i
the truth. Ay, lad, who's this p and b,
glanced curiously up into the gentle, pityin.
face bending above him.
" l came to help you, if could" sale
Milly
" Nay, Pm past help, my pretty. Blu
it's best SO, for poor Tom has big lot o
babies to care for, and I've ne er one I'll
an ugly sight for the likes of you. Poor ole
Billy, he's a goner. | wonder where he'll
: land %
} Where the weary are at rest, said tn
girl. quietly, " if you will let Jesus take yo.
me to heaven"
:. Heaven? Az. | used to hear tell q
it. long years pack, in the old country, whel
r | was a boy. But that place is for the like
of you, my pretty. I'm naught but a coarse
{ rough old miner, and all broke up at thai
: now
t That makes no difference with our Lore
lie does not look on the useless, broke
: body. He looks on that brave, tender heal
which gave itself for its friend, and he ash
you to love him as you love your friend"
!. A smile broke over the hard featured fac
}, 4" Ay, but that's a swate little consate,
e be said
, - It's no concet. but Gods own truth
% said MIlly firmly. He wants you to Civ
q yourself to hun. He says, Come unto Ii
all ye that are heavy laden, and [ will gi
!, you rest Does that me IN you ~
5, " Mayhap. Yes. IN weary, sure enoug
t. But, my pretty I'm poor old crushed hui
l. | can t do nothin' now. The days too I
&c spent"
E, No, for be says, AT evening time
IA shall be light"
K " At eveniu' time? Then it is Just til
to wild me, little one. I'm driftin', and
II soon be gone. Nay, Doctor" for a tall fl
p had leaned down over him, putting the <
ASIDE. There's naught you can do Tor
Billy. He's broke all to bits. Lave b
Id wild the little one. He's a driftin' off, a
lie she's try,n' to pull him into port. The
III mates, don't come too nigh, for you'll cro'
rs my pretty. Now tell me, little one. I
So Billy all you know about that there pla
er Msyhap they'll let him n when be tells ,
en- that he knowed one on 'em down here, a
to that she stood by him to the last. Ol
he speak bit louder, for doubt I'm gett
be deal like. And might L hold fast by yt
i'll hand, my pretty, till l get to t'other sid
a. I'm doubtful like. ye zee, and I'd fam b
cd to you to the very end. There" and
On brown. horny hand, damp already with
'es chill of death, clasped the slight fingers
within it, " talk about the new place, hon
and about HIM as you say wants Billy
"a there, rough and dirty, and wantn' in lea
by in though he be-
Ter The glrl saw nothing Of the crowd
ut workmeD, who, with uncovered heads {
r awe-struck faces stood about her, and
rp volce rose clear and sweet on the quiet
he striving to catch the failing powers of
int deafened ear.
sre 80 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
OK thou shalt be saved. and This night st
ret thou be with me 10 Paradise There Sd
yer be no night there, and they need no cane
I'd, neither light of the sun, for the Lord {
3 giveth them light And they shall see
", lace, and his name shall be in their fo
nd heads God shall wipe away ali tie
tire from their eyes, and there shall be no m
yer death, either sorrow, nor crying; nett
nh shall there be any mole paiu,' For
Lamb, which is in the midst of the thro
shall feed them, and shall lead them u
Jus living fountains of waters, and God 81
in wipe away all tears from their eyes,
"a The young voice paused, for the eyes VIII
cal had been watching her face 50 inten
lie frightened with a sudden light. .
the "' At evenin' time you said, my prett
in Yes, at evenin' time 'tisA'' The b;
av- that had clasped hers loosened its hold,
en lifting itself slowly. pointed to a rift in