Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-26
nantal &c II Reltgtnus.
The Old Miners Sunbeam.


rosy cheek which bent toward her as the
girl looked laughiogly in her face Wa.
ter wont blauch this color, | think. Where
are you going ?"
A" Over the park. There 1t is bright
ening again Let me run between the
showers
a sunbeam through the rain she'll ,
mako an April day Of it," said Nellie to
herself, with loving glance otter the re-
treating figure but Milly did not hear
hor and even the speaker little thought
with how cheering light her sunbeam was
to shine that afternoon.
Calling her maid who was waiting to ac-
company her, Milly ran lightly down the
steps, and few minutes walk brought them /
to the park.
Oh they are blasting rocds up there,
Mary. There comes the red flag" said |
Milly, as they were walking briskly up one
Of the roads in the upper part Of the park.
" Let Us stand here where We can see the |
blast"
The next moment the cry, " Fire FIRE J"
was raised, and three workmen came down
from the hin upon the side Of which the
dangerous work was going on.
The girl and her attendant stood waiting
behind the laborers, watching for the ex-
posion but the powder, dampened, per-
haps, by the rain which had been falling at
intervals all day, missed fire, and after
waiting reasonable time the workmen
went back to their post
Well, we may as well 90 on, said
Milly. a. am quite disappointed, for
/"
A dull rumble, followed by heavy roar
and crash interrupted them. Shouts and
cries followed close on the rattle Of stones
and debris, and before the two frightened
women had recovered themselves, man
came rushing down the road, crying ou,
wildly
+" Go and help Tom Old Billy's shot
to pieces. I'm of for the doctor"
Millicent Wards young eyes had never
looked upon such n 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 fear, knowing only that a dying
man needed help, she had seized Marys
hand and run quickly to the scene Of the
terrible accident
lie was an old man with grizzled-gray
hair aud rough, hard face. That much
she saw as she knelt beside him striving to
staunch the blood flowing from deep cut
in his forehead as he lay with closed eyes,
senseless and still.
It's no use, missus, it's no use" said
the laborer who had been left with him, sob
breaking his voice as he spoke "And it's
all for me. | was a bendin' over the charge
to see what was wrong wild it, and he saw
it comm and just flung hissef front Of
me. But he's just gone now"
Not yet, Tom, said feeble voice and
, the heavy eyelids we're slowly lifted "Not
gone yet, but just done for, lad, and that's
the truth. Ay, lad, who's this?'
81 came to help you, if l could" said
Miny.
Nay, I'm past help, my pretty. But
10 s uctt 10, fOs poo Ioa.l iIas a usr lot Of
. babbies to care for, and I've neor one.
: Poor old Billy, he's a goner. wonder
= where he'll land ?"
n Where the weary are at rest, said the
4 girl quietly, if you will let Jesus take
. you home to heaven"
4 Heaven? Ay. used to hear tell Of
it, long years back, in the old country
- when ! was a boy. But that place is fol
3 the likes Of you, my pretty. I'm naughi
but a coarse, rough old miner"
THAT makes no difference with our Lord
i lie does not look on the useless, broker
body lie looks on that brave, tender
r heart which gave itself for its friend, anC
y he asks you to love him like a friend"
A smile broke over the hard-ieatureC
face. "Ay, but that's a swate little con
Al sate,' he said.
IT'S no conceit, but Gods own truth,
,t said Mnly firmly. He wants you to Civ,
n. yourself to him. He says Come unto M
4. all yc that labor and are heavy laden, an,
vs will give you rest Does not that meal
Z. you p
i " Mayhap. Yes. I'm weary, sur
I enough. But, my pretty, I'm poor oil
crushed hulk | can't do nothin now. Tn
nd days too far spent
he No, for he says, At eyeuiug.time
v shall be light. D."
- AT evenin' time ? Then it's Just tina
4. wild me, little one. I'm driftin', driftin
h and I'll soon be gone. Nay, DOCTOR" for
oF tall form had leaned down over him, pu
90 ting the girl slightly aside. There
nd naught you can do for old Billy. He
a broke ali to bits. Lave him wild the litt
iIs one. He's a driftin' of, and she's a tryii
ne to pull him into port. There, mates don
lie come too nigh, for you'll crowd my prett.
az Now tell me, little one. Tell Billy all yo
70. know about that there place. MayhO
he they'll let him in when he tells 'em that
ho knowed one on EN- down here, and TIL
,ss she stood by him to the last. Only sper
~ bit louder, for | doubt I'm gettin' de
liz like. And might hold fast by your han
;no my pretty, till get to t'other side L
IA doubtful like, ye see, and I'd fain hold
you to the very end. There" and d
,ho brown, hcrny hand damp already with I
ooL I chill Of death, clasped the slight fngc
IN laid within it, talk about the new plat
honey, and about Him as you say wal
!. = Billy up there, rough aud dirty, aud wal
in in larnin' though he be-"
lor The girl saw nothing of the crowd
mo workmen, who, with uncovered heads a
onS awe-struck faces, stood about her, and
voice rose clear and sweet on the quiet a
m, striving to catch the failing powers Of
deafened ear.
"A. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, a
,ho thou shalt be saved" and "This night sh
,oL thou be with me in Paradise" "Th'
hy shall be no night there, and they need
.vy candle, neither light Of the sun, for
ams 1 Lord God giveth them light" "And tt
shall see his face and his name shall be
,oe their forehcads."
it's "God shall wipe away all tears FIR
their eyes and there shall be no more dea
ohm neither sorrow, nor crying, neither sh
ay." there be any more pain" "For the La
the which is in the midst of the throne sh
feed them, and shall lead them unto liv
he. fountains of waters, and God shall W
away all tears from their eyes"
was The young voice paused, for the eyes wh
arry had been watching her face so intent
He frightened with a sudden light.
anne "'At yenin'.time,' you said, my preti
did Yes, 'at eyenin time, tis-" The hi
race that had clasped hers loosened its hold, I
lifting itself~lowly, pointed to rift in
went clouded sky
,und "See, my pretty, see. lie knowed b