Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-01-07

CHAPTER VA LITTLE Cm1D SHALL
LEAD THN.'
Mr.. Hartley had no near relative living,
and his trouble had been of such a nature
that be shrank from speaking of it even to
those whom he regarded as true friends
Some are fortunately constituted in that they
can unburden their hearts and thus find sym
pathy and help. Others are like the sensi-
tive plant, that shrinks at the gentlcst
touch. Such was Mr. Hartley's nature,
and pride intensified his disposition to re-
pei all the well.meant efforts of friends.
At last he quite isolated himself from all
save those he met in business. But though
pride and reserve may shut the heart up
like a prisoner in cell, it nevertheless
and his heart was very hungry, very lonely
that New Years eve as he returned to his
vacant home, once so happy.
And now he was to spend his last night
in it. Soon he was to 90 away from all
that it had ever contained for him, and it
seemed almos: like dying aud entering on
new phase of existence in another world.
With slow and heavy step he took his
chair upstairs and sat down by the little
crib. He feared that its sight now might
excite him to bitter, passionate grief, but to
his surprise his feelings grew more calm
and his heart tender in the sacred place.
The conviction impressed him, as it never
had before, that his baby was not dead.
Though not a Christian man, he had faith
in the teachings of Christianity, and he
believed that his baby was in heaven. He
almost seemed to hear a little childish voice
calling him to come there also. Then, like
a sudden inspiration, came the thought
Why may not ?"
The line Of hymn that he had heard
sung long years ago flashed across him
Earth hath no sorrows that Heaven can not cure"
| and he bowed his head in prayer to God
, whom he had so long forgotten. 1t seemed
f to him that his baby was pleading for him
. also.
We can not penetrate the mystery Of
I these hours that come sometime in every
e life that is not utterly gross and material.
n BY Divine suggestion the words, Like as
father pitieth his children" entered his
d mind, and he felt that God pitied him.
It Faint at first, but sweet and exquisite, the
t hope stole into his heart that his child was
v not utterly lost to him--that God had not
e given and then ruthlessly snatched away
e the gift forever. Coming from an i'm
!, mense distance, yet clear and distinct, he
c again seemed to hear childish voice call
1t ing -
II am waiting for you, papa. All is
o well where | am," and he reached out his
/ arms in passionate yearning to 60.
d But how could he think of his child
is without thinking of its mother? The
n thought came to him:
l. "If should 90, and Irvie asked, Where
lie is mamma p what should | answer" anc
lie in sudden and remorseful tenderness his
re heart reverted to his wife.
N "After all, | wronged her, perhaps, mor'
le than am wronged," he groancd, and thu
N childish voice seemed to say, "Mamma
D. mamma" as he heard it during the last sick
al ness, and as it had often rung in his ear
At since, even in the rush and hurry Of Wal
Of street. His pride gave way, his purpose t.
ie let the silence between them remain un
is broken unless she first apoke, vanished a
ne that childish call with pathetic distinctnes
IN echoed in the depths of his soul. Takinl
e, out his notebook, he hastily penciled
lr "JuLIA, My WIFE The home that wa
I'd once filed with light and happiness, because Q
your presence, is now dark and empty. al
n spending my last night in it, and am sitting b
the cradle of our dead baby, and yet to-nigh
nc | feel that Iryie is not dead. | seem to hea
rs his voice calling you and me. God has pu
If better thoughts in my heart and faint hop
!, that may yet SEQ my lost boy. But he vii
;" ask, W here is mammal and what can
u answer? sorrowfuly acknowledge that
rs wronged you, that was harsh and neglectiul
n that sought, in mad excitement and dssipa
pt ton the sOlace for my loss which might hay
,s found in my own home. fear | have los
NO your love, but can never cease regretting il
IVY loss, nor can ever cease 10 love you. | va
nd for Europe in few days as agent for -
q Il Co. | am poor man, having lost every
an thing. But my one sorrow is the fear that
~ am bankrupt in your affection. May | see 80
a before 90? l await your answer in the oil
us home which will be thing OF the past altt
sss tomorrow. HARRY. y
rs. Inclosing the above in an envelope, b
he put on his hat and coat, and strobe ava
as across town with the firm step Of resC
ITS lutte man, and rang the bell at the res
lis dence Of his wife's father. The hour wa
g late, and the sleepy servant looked cur
se ously at the unreasonable caller.
sis Mrs. Hartley within?" he asked,
'p- "Yes, SIR"
it. "Please give her that letter immed
ty ately.'