Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-12-30

seemed satisfied to have her near She
knew she must be calm for the sake Of the
little life that hung by q thread. The doc
tor said he could not lingor through the day,
and comiortcd the mother 10y showing how
his existence would be one Of iutensest sut-
fering should he be spared So the two
watched for hours, administering stimulants
that had no effect. In the afternoon he raj
lied to consciousness, and, becoming restless
Alice lifted him gently till his head lay
against her bosom, one Of his hands clasping
hers, the other holding the bit Of heather
she had brought Thus It was that Protes-
sor Weimer and Ernest found them. The
latter had gore carly to Aice's. anxious TO
plead again for place which he feared he
had forfeited, aud not understanding her alb
sence lin her haste she had written only a
Incl left the house in a restless mood and
wandered to st. Marks.
lie with others. missed Jocy's voicc-for
that Il not its owner, was known--and he
felt that for Alice and himself it was a sad
Christmas day Departing from the church
the professor slipped his arm into his to say
"Come, I'm going to look after my little
boy never dreamt he was SO sick. and
he practised faithfully. Yes. come. for you
might be Jealous Of the love he confers upon
your Miss Clayton. Nothing made him easy
last night but my promise to send for her.
Alice was too deeply absorbed in Joey TO
be surprised at Erncst's entrance She was
bending her car to catch his feeble words
81 don't wish | was dead I'm going TO
hear music-all the time. Oh, sing please
sing for me-
al can't joey, but some day YOU will teach
me how when get home with YOU. ! wish
could" and she looked so implorngly for
his sake as he again plead ." Sing, please,
that Professor Weimcr tried, but for once
his tenor failed. and he buried his face.
Alice's and Joey's were the only fearless
eyes in the room.
81 knew it-knew the angels would come
for him." cried the mother.
"Hush!" motioned Alice. The dying
boys eyes lighted with an uuearthly joy as,
raising himself with that strength which
often prccedes the end, he whispered Lis
ten hear them. Glory be to God on
high, and on earth peace" and the voice
which was fast joining the angels sang out
clear and full the swelling chorus go Lord
God heavenly King" then fingered over the
threefold prayer till twas lost Thou That
taketh away the sins Of the world, receive
Itwas Alice who broke the awful silence
Alice who laid the form down and closed
the eyes with trembling fingers; Alice who
directed what should be done, and said TO
Ernest: Come for me in three hours.
When the two returned, she led them to
the little body. Perhaps Ernest Dents
heart was the single one which felt a pang
as he saw the new clothes. Joey's mother
had told the story, while Alice covered them
with the flowers the professor had brought,
murmuring to herself "No more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, for God shall
wipe away all tears"
The freight Aickers and dances in the
parlor Alice's face is full Of her loss, yet
in her soul there is naught but thankful
ness, for herself, for the humbled man at
her side, but most Of all for joey
Tenderly stroking the black merino, Err
nest whispers in broken voice: 81 am
not worthy Of you. Oh, Alice, lifetime
alone can prove how proud am of you
My darling, tits the saddest, gladdest Christ
mas night
Aunt Jane, stopping to bid goodnight
laws her hand on the dark braids and says
"Whos oeyer shall give to drink unto one OF
these little ones cup of cold water only
shall in no wise lose his reward '-HedrH
& Home.