Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-08
"Tather,s Rotor On.v

lie was white-headed man, who had
passed his iour-score years. and was only
quietly waiting till he should be summoned
home though To- practical John, his son, or
Martha, Johns energetic wife he seldom of
late had spoken concerning this, for he had
overheard them talking Of him 30 each
other, with compassionate pity. Childish
they said he was growing, "and little
troublesome withal.' SO he had got in the
way of remaining on the sunny piazza in
fine weather sitting there with his open
Bible till the rays of the setting sun threw
their fading CLEANS over the rim of the
western hill, when he quietly went TO his
own room.
Not that they were ukiud to him-oh
no Only John said that fathers facul-
ties are not what they used to be;" and
Martha, who was orderly TO painful de-
gree was worried when She found his
cane or his spectacles misplaced then
he often forgot TO bring the easychair
in from the portico or omitted to hang his
hat on its customary nail in the entry.
." do wish You would be more particular
father" she said rather sharply; "you left
the west door open twice, to-day, and you
always forget to wipe your feet on the husk
mat
1t was not the words that touched him so
deeply. but the tone.
As he took his accustomed place after
dinner, on the pleasant portico, he felt a
greater degree of ianguor steal over him
than usual so much so that he said rather
feebly TO Martha, who was vigorously sweep
ing the little entry -
81 guess, Marthy, If you'll give me your
arm, I'll lay dowu a spell on the sofy in the
dinn-room | don't feel as though could
get upstairs TO bed
Nonsense, father" was careless answer
" the diuin rooms got to be swept and
aired, the furniture busted, and the drugget
put down; you'd better sit still a spell, and
if YOU don't feel better, III come out and
help you upstairs
The afternoon waned and as the old man
watched the shadows creep over the purple
hills, golden ray fingered for a moment
on the open leaf Of his Bible, by whose
5oftened light his dimmed eyes read ~
81 lie giveth power to the iaint and to
them that have no might, lie increaseth
strength Even the youth shall faint aud
be weary, aud the young men shall utterly
fail"
The tide of years rolled back and he saw
himself, young, willul and pleasure-loying,
casting behind him all restraint. taking his
own path oftenest over steep mountains and
by the edge of terrible abysses, plucking
from overhanCing boughs fair fruits which
nauseatcd, and vainly attempting to slake
his thirst with bitter waters, always striv.
ing 10 reach a gorgeous city whose paaced
domes appeared over ahead the city of
cloudand. And then he saw hand out.
stretched, leading Tire wayward youth from
the road he had chosen, and with a
thrill of fulness of joy he saw Him cruel
fled saying Follow thou me" aud in
spirit he again arose up and followed leav-
ing the past with its sins in the hand that had
first guided him. no tears might avail to
blot them out, no remorse could atone for
them-only in Gods keeping was the past
lost to view.
Oftentmes fainting, with feet weary and
sometimes bleeding he followed the divine
footsteps through the years sometimes so
nigh him that he could almost touch
the hem OF His garments; sometimes at
a distance, when his form seemed indistinct
aud shadowy, he tainted 10y the wayside
aud fain would rest but even then did not
the prophecy come true and asking, his
strength was increased.
They that wait ON the Lord" The
cleaning Of evening was around him, but
he visit not-the words seemed to shine from
the page before him.
Have | not waited on thee, Lord, was
the cry Of his heart, " imperfectly aud feebly,
yet according to the strength which thou
gayest me, Lord Jesus, let not my waiting
be very long, if so be thy holy will"
1t was dark When Martha remembered
that he had not yet come in the tea-table
was standing and John had somewhat i'm
patiently exclaimed -
81 wish father wouldn't always keep rs
waiting"
And Martha, as she laid her hand on the
old mans shoulder, had like utterance on
her tongue; but there was no need of it,
His stiifened finger had fallen on the SEN
tence
"They shall mount up with wings as ca.
giles they shall run and not be weary they
shall walk and not be faint"
Curious coincidence, wasn't it2" said
John, after the funeral.
And Martha, who was putting away his
cane and spectacles in the little back closet
answered, with mechanical sort of sigh r.
"Well, fathers better off.
Beyond all comparison and immeasurably
"better of