Middletown transcript., 1875-12-25

cried the little sufferer, stretching ou
his wan, wasted hands. "And you sa
they are all for me-" for Lucy, havin
first spoken to his mother, and then t
bis sister, had come up to his bedside
Il never saw anything, l never be
lieved there could be anything as pref
ty as these white flowers; they are 80
pure they make me think Of the angels.
the angels in their shining robes"
eThey are lilies, dear" She could
hardly speak steadily. Il thought you
would like them"
| He took them in bic hands and smelt
of their fragrance. "Oh ! SO much. l
know now; angels always carried them.
You are an angel, and God has sent
you to bring me home to Him" he said,
looking up At her, earnestly.
"Oh! my child, my child" cried the
distracted mother, "don't talk so. You
don't mean it: You will outlive us all. !"
Trying to keep down her tears.
He smiled family, and put out his
o:her hand. kiss NE, mother" be
said, family. Don't cry"
Just then the chimes of neighbor-
ing church began to ring. The silver
sounds rose and died. and died and
rose again, till the whole air quivered.
as If with celestial music
~ Il hear them singing-the harps Of
gold" his face glowed, bis eyes were
fixed above. ''Oh! the walls, the walls
all shining
His weak voice stopped. There was
a sob. The flowers fell from his hand.
The frail form sank back
"Oh! my God, he is dying" shrek
ed the mother. claspiug him, in wild
despair, in her arms. "Will no one
run for a doctor ?' r.
Lucy was turning to 60. though she
saw it was hopeless, and knew not
where to seek for physician, when
the door opened. and two strangers en-
tered One was Hugh Willoughby,
who came forward, eagerly. saying,
II heard you ask for a doctor. My
friend here is one. l told you" nod
ding to the little girl, I was coming
to see you. and we are just in time"
But his companion, who had already
advanced to the bed, shook his head,
as be gazed on the calm, still face.
He is where no earthly physician can
avail him; but happier. happier. far"
be said. addressing the mother, tears in
bis voice, ..tban be was here, or any Of
US can be till we follow him. The
Lord hath given" for this great prac-
titioner was devout Christian. land
The Lord hath taken away, blessed be
The name Of the Lord y
As he spoke. the neighboring chimes.
as if to confirm bis words, rose in tri-
umphaut burst, and then were hushed.
The meeting, at that bed Of death,
was not the last one between Hugh
Willoughby and Lucy Grafton, They
attended together the simple funeral.
assisted afterward to advance the for
tunes of the bereaved mother, and
oined in sending the sister to school.
They met, too, at other similar scenes,
md in time contracted mutual affec-
ion. which ended in the happiest Of
marriages. Theirs was that rare thing,
"a union Of true souls"
One day, years after, Lucy heard,
or the first time, the true explanation
# her husbands visit to the dying
ripple. which. up to that moment, she
lad always thought chance one.
Il went there hoping to meet you. 1
owed you from the 6rst moment I saw
1ou give the rose to little May" be
aid, in concluding. II thought Of the
loly words, sInasmuch as ye did it
lnte the least Of one Of these, ye did it
into Me-"
'.But it was such triAe." whispered
lucy, brokenly. with her head on his
houlder, and the tears rising to her
yes, "such triAe."
"The Kingdom Of Heaven is made
p Of trifes," was the low, reverent an ,
wer. "It is moi always cup of cold
'ater, my dear simple flower will
o as we'll" !