The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-05-30

my old eyes will not see much more
sunlight upon earth. l feel that they
will soon-very soon-be closed for
ever. You will be glad, my darling,
that you no longer have to watch
over and wait upon a poor helpless
old woman who can be nothing but
a burden to YOU
Grandmother! o, dear grand
mother, don't talk SOP exclaimed
the boy, bursting into tears and
kneeling beside the bed. The ex-
hausted old woman put out her hand!
he clasped it in both of his. you
break my heart when you talk so.
You know | love you dearly, grand
mother, don't you? o no, mol you
will live good while yet, to let me
show you how much love your
Old Gretna looked into the fresh,
open, honest face of the handsome
boy, who had just completed his
twelfth year. 1t was the freshness
and open honesty of look that made
him handsome.
Not for a world, my dear boy
said she, would | distress you. How
could |, after the years of true and
loving care that you have given me
But | feel feel sure-I can't tell
why or how-but | feel sure that my
end is near. And who will take care
of you, my boy, when am gomez
But | am wrong to ask that; God
will. have prayed for you, Rene
prayed earnestly-and | know that
God has heard me. Don't cry, my
childl dry up your tears. You have
comforted my declining years; don't
embitter my last moments.
The child tried 10 choke down his
sobs.
But l can't help it, grandmother.
When you are gone | shall be all
alone; not one in the whole world
to love me! And | love you SO
much!'
NO, no, dear childr said the old
woman, mot all alone; you have a
Father up in Heavenl Give Him
your heart, my son. Raise your
hands and your eyes to Him and you
will soon find that you are not for
sal1en. Be honest, truthful and in
dustrious, as you have always been
and His eye will look upon you in
love. He will bless, guard and keep
you. Now open the window, my
son.
Rene got up and did as he was
told.-Cool and refreshing the wind
from the Alps blew into the room
and seemed to breathe new life into
that old and feeble frame-She in
hailed it with delight.
20 how delightful it is, ReneY
said she. with a faint smile. Now
draw back the ivy branches that
hang before the window. | want to
take one more look at my dear native
valley. 0 how beautiful the dear
God has made 1t! Seer And she
pointed out to him the snow upon
the mountains glittering in the sun
shine, the broad ice fields upon their
sides, the roaring, rushing river that
poured down the cleft, the suntipped
summit of Mount Blanc towering
above all, and the flocks feeding so
peacefully beside the wild streams.
At last she drew her breath. That's
enough said she. Now bring the
stool and sit here beside me-
The boy obeyed. Taking his
hands in hers, she told him that she
was dying; that her death would
leave him all alone; and she wanted
him to promise that all his life long
he would keep God before his eyes,
try as far as he was able to obey all
His commands and to do nothing
contrary to them. The boy promised
and added, as the tears rolled down
his cheeks:
And | will never forget, dear
grandmother, what you have taught
me-
Il hope not, | hope not, said old
Gretna, earnestly. And remember,
Rene, God has heard your promise
now. Don't forget my dying wordsl'
90 no, no, not dyingn exclaimed
Rene in alarm. you will not die yet,
grandmother!
Very soon, very soon, my child,
said she feebly; and even as she
spoke she sank back pale and ex-
hausted upon the pillow.
God bless you. | can-say-no
more.-God-'