Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-22
NO. 96.
AUNT MADELINE'S CROSS.
CONCLUDED FROM THURsDAY.1

on Aunt Madeline. Fred, her eldest born,
the first fair child that woke the mother
love in her heart, the image of his father.
and her idol, sickened and died. It was
a terrible blow to the poor mother, and
she almost sunk under it. There was one
peculiar trial which bore heavily upon her.
With their seated dislike TO the pOmps
and vanities of the world, and as sign
that they bore their testimony against such
things, Friends had gone to the other ex-
treme in regard to the burial of their dead,
and the graves of their best beloved were
unmarked and weed-grown. A little more
lenlency had been exercised of late by the
moretlloeral ones, and small plain stones
marked the graves of Uncle Fred. No
weeds were there, but myrtle marked the
spot, and white rose grew at the head.
Aunt Madeline wished similar stone at
the grave of her son but Uncle Joseph
could see no reason why we should cling
to the cast off tabernacle. when the spirit
had gone to the better land, where fieshly
feelings were unknown. That was an end
OF the matter. Aunt Madeline watered
the grave of her first born with her tears.
pressed her cheek against the cold stone
that pore the name of her buried love,
and wept with an agony the more intense
from its very powerlessness. She went
about her daily duties, her eye lit.
tie more dim, her cheek little thinner,
her step less elastic, while Uncle Joseph
looked on with pang at his heart, and
redoubled kindness to the wife who was
his idol.
In the glorious October days. with their
golden sunshine and gorgeous forest. the
peaceful haze toning wood and sky, and
settling like balm over the mothers spirit
another daughter was born. Uncle Joseph
looked at the pale mother, and proposed
to call the babe Alice. A flush suffused
the face otNAunt Madeline; she pressed
his hand and lay perfectly quiet, the great
tears rolling down her cheeks. Uncle
Joseph cleared his throat with so loud
"Hemn that Cousin Patience ordered
him out of the room. But Aunt Madeline
clasped his hand firmly. and he remained.
He wiped his eyes with the corner of his
red silk handkerchief, and commnned with
himself in perfect silence. The great,
loving, laundering heart began to per-
ceive it had made mistake somewhere,
and was blindly cropping its way to the
light.
Eunice was her fathers counterpart;
the quaintest, primmest, oldest little thing
that ever lived. "She said ''thee' among
her first words; wore drab as naturally as
a mouse does its fur: went to meeting
with her father, and sat the silent hour
and half with her grave blue eyes nev-
er winking, put rowing sedately from one
TO another OF the silent worshippers, occa-
sionally peeping under the broad brim of
her fathers hat, and then settling into rest
Over field through wood she followed him,
and fed lambs and chickens with moth
erlincss that was amusing. She never
strayed from his side, nor tore her dress,
nor tangled her hair, and was always
ready to 90 to bed when desired.
But Alice-the beauty, the darling of
her brothers, s,-what pest she was! The
rosy cheeks, the laughing, black eyes the
little rings of jet that nestled close to the
pretty head, and made picture of fault
less beauty. She stained face and clothes
with berry juice; she picked the brightest
flowers aud fruit; she selected the bright
est colored animals for her pets; fell
asleep in meeting and tumbled off the
seat. startling the silent company with her
shrill screams; and to make up for her
sleepiness there, had her bright black eyes
wide open at bedtime. She would walk
into the stable among the horses, or go
ankle deep in the water to help Phil sail
his boat, heedl, s. of the remonstrance of
the quiet Eunice, Father will be dis
pleased with tn, Alice."
But now it came Uncle Joseph's turn to
suffer lie was awakened one night by
the cries of his darling, and in a moment
she was in his arms. The strong man grew
faint as he teit the burning cheek, and
heard the plaintive moan for water. An
hour later. Uncle Joseph laid his hand on
the doctors arm and led him to another
room,-
"What does thee think ofmy daughter!"
he asked. his lips twitching convulsively.
at is scarlet fever of the most malignant
can do nothing for either of YOU"
and groaned aloud. Then he sought the
face, gazing at his idol. So the day and
the night passed. and another morning
dawned. Little Eunice moaned family,
and looked eagerly around, tossing her
head in delirium.
Father - she cried in distressful tones.
''father!"
Oucle Josepn preSSeu MS HPS ~ tuo
burning brow, and said, "Here. my Gaugh-
ter, father is here"
Father" cried the child again. the pur-
pie hue of her face fading, and an ashy
paleness succeeding; IL can't see father"
Aunt Madeline turned the light full on
his face and started at the ghastly look she
saw there.
81 hear music" said the child, beautiful
music; and it is all light here; but it is
dark where thee stands, father. Mother
is here, and Father Fred. and all but thee. :"
81 am here. Eunice my daughter"
groaned the father.
Come to this side, father" entreated
the child, "here where the music is. We
are here and can't bear to see thee alone
in the dark. Why don't thee come, faith
erp"
my child. my child" said the poor
father. lifting her up and laying her white
cheek against his, almost as white.
Thee can get over" urged the child.
"Oh. see now. she cried with . smile.
"thee has no harp to make music with.
| Here. take mine I'll lead thee over"