Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-04-09
CHE family Circle.
L" GOOd-NirIlt, pan3.'

goodnight, Papa"
The words of blue-eyed child as she
kissed her chubby hand and looked down
the stairs Goodnight, papa. Jessie
see you in the morning"
1t came to be a settled thing, and every
evening, as the mother slipped the white
night-gown over the plump shoulders, the
Little one stopped on the stairs and sang
out, 'Good-nlght papa" apd as the father
heard the sllvery accents Of the child, he
came, and taking the cherub in his arms,
kissed her tenderly while the mother
eyes filled, and swift prayer went up !;
for, strange to say, this man who loved
his child with all the warmth of his great,
mob lie nature had one fault to mar his
maniness. From his youth he loved the
wlue-cup. Genial in spirit and with a
fascination of manner that won him friends
he could not resist when surrounded by his
boon companions Thus his home was
darkened, the heart of his wife bruised
and bleeding, the future of his child shad-
owed.
Other children had been theirs-a few
months, just long enough to leave a per
petual fragrance In their home and in their
hearts-and, Que by one, God had taken
them. Still, the father did not turn he
did not see the love that prompted he
did not hear the secret voice IF the Great
Shepherd as he took the lamb in his arms
saying, d" Follow me-" The mother look
ed and halted; she wanted to follow, but
her husband Jagged behind, and her wo-
mans heart chung to him.
Then came a blue-eyed darling to the
nest, folded her wings, and sang little
prattllng song so full of love, the father
listened as one entranced. "A heal thy
child" he said, as, bending over the crib,
be looked on the sweet, upturnel face
And when the blrdling grew stronger, and
be could take her in his arms without fear
OF hurting the tender limbs with his rough
nursing, the fathers love strengthened
uen-told.
Three years, and the winsome prattle of
the babe crept into the avenues of the
fathers heart, keeping him closer to his
home; but still the fatal cup was in his
hand. Alas for fraiI humanity, lnsensible
to the calls of love! With unutterable
tenderness God saw there was NJ other
way; this father was dear to Him, the
purchase Of his Son, He could not see him
perish; aud calling a swift messenger, He
SAID, Speed thee to earth, and bring the
babe"
Goodnight, papa" sounded from the
stairs. What was there in the voice -
was it the echo of the mandate, " Bring
Ile the babe?' a sllvery, plaintive sound,
a lingering music that touched the fathers
heart, as when a cloud crosses the sun ;
" Goodnight, my darling" but his lips
quivered, and his broad brow grew pale
4" Is Jessie sick. mother? Her cheeks
are flushed, and her eyes have strange
.i5ht"
Not SICK" and the mother stopped to
kiss the flushed brow, " she may have
played too much. Pet is not sick ?''
Jessie tired, mamma !; good night,
papa, Jessie see you in the morning"
{" That is all, she is only tired, said the
mother, as she took the small hand
Another kiss, aud the father turned away
but his heart was not satisfied.
Sweet lullabies were sung; but Jessie
was restless and could not sleep. Tel
me story, mamma - and the mother to c
of the blessed babe that Mary Graded
following along the story TIL the child hat
grown to walk and play The blue, wide
open eyes filled with a strange light a
though she saw and comprehended NOR,
than the mother knew.
That night the father did not visit tn,
saloon; tossing on his bed, starting from
feveri sh sleep, and bending over the crib
the long, weary hours passed. Mornin,
J revealed the truth Jessie was smitte
with the fever.
Keep quiet" the doctor said " few
days of good nursing, and she will be al
right
, Words easily said; but the father say
look on the sweet face such as he ha
r seen before. He knew the messenger wa
, at the door.
Night came. Jessie is sick; can
say goodnight, papa and the littl
clasped fingers chung to the father
hand.
40 God, spare her! l cannot, canno
. bear it, was wrung from the sufferln
y heart.
d Days passed the mother was tireess
:, her watching. With her babe Graded
}. ner arms, her heart was slow to take i
It the truth /; doing her best to soIace tn
= fathers heart. "A light case! The do,
tor says Pet will soon be we'll"
Calmly, as one who knows his doom
the father laid his hand upon the hot brow
IF looked into the eyes, even then covere
E. with the film Of death, and with all t.
4 strength of his manhood cried, Spare he
re o God, spare my child, and | will folio
lie Thee"
q With last painful effort the parche
-. lips opened: "Jessie's too sick ; can't sa
" goodnight, papa-in the morning" The
" was convulsive shudder, and the elias
v ing fugers relaxed their hold, the messe
r ger had taken the child.
n Months have passed. Jessie's CT
stands by the side of her fathers coue
or her blue embroidered dress and white b
he hang in his closet her boots, with Il
It's print of the feet just as she wore them, a
be as sacred in his eyes as they are in Il
i'll mothers. Not dead; but merely risen
a higher life; while sounding down fro
' as the upper stairs, " Good night, papa, j
re sic see you in the morning." have been t
r. means of winning to better way one W
n had shown himself deaf to every form
Is call.
ed
> Speak plainly, act decisively-out
doubt, out Of controversy.