Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-07-02

upon it, and the minister with uncover
ed head said, ''ashes to ashes, dust to
dust, the Lord gave and the Lord has
taken away"
When the excitement of the funeral
had passed away and the neighbors gone,
I said to her:
''Nellie, you did not tell us whether
you would stay with us-we want you
so much"
"You are so kind l cannot thank you
as l ought. This is my home, if you
like it SO, l have no other" And thus
it was settled.
She taught the following summer at
the desire Of the people, though we pro-
tested against it, on account of her del
icate health. Ere the summer was over
we saw that she, too, was wasting away.
The term closed and she tried to rest,
but rest did not invigorate her. She
grew weak day by day. One day she
came and knelt down by my side and
laid her head in my lap.
81 am so weary 1 cannot. rest. 1 have
not much longer to stay with you-the
hand of death has his clutch upon me. :"
tried to encourage her. She shook
her head.
sit does not grieve me to think l
must go. l have tried to wait patiently
my Masters call, and now | hear it
close by. Before 1 go 1 wish to tell you
some of my past life. You took me to
your home a stranger-had confidence
in me and believed me true, and l owe
this revelation to you. When | am gone
you will feel the happier, knowing how
you have cheered and comforted bro
ken-hearted woman"
CHAPTER V.
NELLIE's HISTORY.
81 was born in the West, and lived
there till 1 came to you. My fathers
name was Charles Thomas"
"Charles Thomas !'' 1 exclaimed.
"Charles Thomas Excuse me for inter-
rupting you, but that was our boys
name who left US when he was quite
young, and of whom we have never
heard word since. We supposed him
dead. Had your father no other name ?"
"None that l know Of
"Had he any relatives ?" l asked.
$50 far as l knew he had no connec-
tions at all.''
"Tell me how he looked-the color of
his eyes-his hair. Was there anything
about his face that would draw ones at
tention 2"
| asked the questions rapidly, for a
hope that seemed like a sure prophecy
thrilled my heart, that was now get
ting the clue to the whereabouts of our
long lost son.
ellis hair was light brown, and peo-
pie said my eyes were the exact copy Of
his. On his right cheek there was a
small brown mole"
al am convinced. He was our boy,
and you are my own dear grand-child.
Your eyes have always seemed strangely
familiar. Wonderful are the ways Of
God, and past finding out. He led you
all the way to your own fathers house. y
We sat long time close pressed to
each others hearts, she sobbing out
"My mother" and 1 "My child" Mr.
Brown came in soon, and looked on ir
astonishment.
Nellie" 1 cried, sis our lost boys
child. She has told me enough SO
know that it is just as | say"
Nellie unclasped her arms from m,
1
and threw them around her grand-fath
; er's neck.
Mr.. Brown was almost overcome anC
with trembling voice that had no shad
ow of doubt in its tones, said
"The Lord be praised, the Lord b
praised, l thought as much, but 1 neye
dared to utter it for fear l might b
mistaken. How my heart has yearnec
over you, my dear child !"
l could understand now why he ha'
regarded her so keenly and tenderly a
, times.
We sat long wondering ever God
: dealings with his children. He leads u
, in ways that we know not, and cares 70
| US when we think not of Him.
By and by, Nellie spoke softly.
Il see it clearly now-why cam
east-the Spirit drew me along and urg
ed me forward. AS the star in the Eas
guided the wise men to the infant Sav
iour, so the Spirit guided me to you"
| The exciting revelation had tired tn
[ poor, weak girl. and we would not allo'
her to proceed with her story. Severa
days went by, and we saw to our dee
sorrow that Nellie did not rally as W
> hoped, tho ugh she was not unhappy.
r sweet resignation to the will of her Fs
, ther shone forth in all her words an
| ways that was most comforting to see.
One evening she said to us, 81 al
9 soon going away from you, and before