Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-01-01
VOL. 74.-376S. NO. 10.

ing around upon the sadfaced stranger, the
lady said gently;
al beg yonr pardon, sir but will you
trust the child to met Perhaps | can help
you"
He looked up to her in thankfulness, and
laid the child upon her outstretched arms
Dear little BIRDIE" she said, pressing the
little ones face against her cheek, "hush,
little one, hush," and in soft mother-tones
she soothed the child until the shrill
| screams ceased, but died away into a low,
worrying cry, and the loving effort seemed
almost vain.
The child at the ladys side seemed trying
to quiet the little one too, for, casting a
bright glance into the face above her, she
exclaimed, softly: 90, know. Sing; sing
to her, mamma, please"
The modest lady glanced hastily around
the car. II was nearly empty now; but
could she sing2 Dare she try2 Certainly
anything were better than this she would
try. She stroye to recall an air, but could
not, and in low voice she said "What
shall | sing dear2"
The little one whispered "Please sing
dear papa's hymn-if you can, mamma" she
added
A rush of memories swept over that wild
owed heart but pressing the little head
close TO the soft pillow OF her mother bosom,
she answered; al will try, darling"
All was still save baby. Louis sat with
his head upon his hand, gazing at the child.
There was a seconds silence. then a silverv
voice. that was full of pathos and tears. sang
tenderly the sweet old words of prayiue
saint and penitent sinner:
Rock Of Ages. cleft for mo
Let me hide myself in thee.
The voice grew prayerful and strong. vet
tender in its pleading now. and the tiny vow
ager over a sea of trouble felt the " Peace. be
still" The sobs grew fainter. the little
hands folded together like flowers at even
ing. the silken curtains dreamed low over
the blue ewes. and sweet. motherless babv
Marion fell asleep. inst as the last grand.
solemn words arose
poci, of Aoo. oioft ,or mn
Let me hide myself in thee.
The voice ceased tbere were mn other
words snoxen and coon after the train
started. But O LET me tell Won of louis
Wise. this storm.tossed mortal who had
been "toilinp all the night long" As the
first lines of the HYMN fell mon his ear. he
| hardened as ba had mayor hafora done to
these wo,ds whether in glor;ons temnle or
al the cradle side Not one escaped him:
word by word he drank them in why. he
knew not, only for her sake whose dying
words tbev had been and when the sound
of the last line died away, he said again
and again to himself, WfIide myself in
in thee, in thee" "Was he hidden? and
if not, could he teach his child?" The
Great Invisible pressed the question home.
Great waves of feeling swept over his soul;
he forgot everything in the present life,
death and eternity seemed compassed by
| At L @
and Satan came mn to battle with him who
is not to be overcome and the conflict
ragged high; but Christ was there. and, as
of old, to the denyine one, so now, in sor-
rowful, reproving love. he ssturned and
looked upon him 1" and in deep self.abase.
ment this man. too, "wept bitterly" But,
bless God the comforter stood bv. 1t was
but repetition of the scene enacted before
him for what was he. this worldlv.wise.
rebelling man. but a poor. homesick. sor-
rowful child. whom the dear Father now
Graded in his arms. comforting him "as
one whom his mother comforteth ," Surely
nothing more
The little one slept peacefully on the
loye.offered mother-breast and louis, like
the patriarch of old. wrestled with the
Great Angel till the break of day." Again
and again did his trembling soul cry out,
| Rock of aues cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee.
And when along the waking cas-, the snn.
heam nierced the skv. there arose in the
heart If Ionis WiseEat first in faint pencil.
mos. bnt finally with strong. broad rays-
the glorious /" Sun of Righteousness, with
healing in his wings" T6e victory was his !:
and Tftinp nm his head he wiped the tears
of iov from lis face,
Tbe cars now stopned and with smile
his nrecions child awoke. Pressing kiss
mon tbe sweet faca the oantle woman de.