Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-05-21

eOulo nelp MN. In MS CABIN, lying on
a bed of grass, was his wife, sick with a
fever common in that warm climate.
Poor woman, more than once in the day
her wan and feverish cheeks were flood
ed with tears on seeing her children, al
most without clothes and not having
enough. to eat. Her youngest son, a
bright-eyed boy, named Izaf, was near
her, his breath coming quickly, and the
signs of illness in his pale cheeks, which
the 4 ses had never visited.
Hou, dear Gabrielle, do not know
/, What misery and sickness are. Oh! may
YOU remember sometimes this story.
Mother and son would have been saved
if they had money, but where could it be
foundP Poor, poor man! Every hour
Of the day he saw his wife and darling
baby dying slowly, and he knew the
means to save them from the grave, and
it was not in his power to obtain them.
Would not man so placed have reason
to complain? What he suffered was
ulCdOtdul, lucA pIcSSlDIe.
One day he heard that the person
who should find the two largest, hand
soonest pearls would receive large re-
ward. Sick in body and at heart, he
still determined to try. Many times he
dived into the sea, but without success.
At last he came back with several oys-
ters, and among them he found two
pearls, large and beautiful. Full of
hope, he forgot his suferings; he ran to
the house where the reward was to be
given.
This time Fortune favored him. He
had luck. He received the prize in ex-
change for the two pearls which last
night were presented to you by a fond
father.
'Paulus kissed the money. In his
hand he held the means to save his dear
ones. He hurried home to announce
the good news. He opened the door. He
stopped. How still the room was! He
listened; no sound; he entered. A fore
boding took hold of his heart. Trem-
blingly he advanced. In the hard bed
lay the form of his wife, with eyes closed,
the long lashes shading the pale cheeks,
which never smile would illuminate on
this earth. In her arms already cold by
death lay her baby, Izaf. At the noise
made by the opening of the door, he op-
ened his great black eyes, looked at his
father, then in the empty space; he
seemed to see something there, for his
eyes frightened, he smiled, he extended
, his soft, small arms and exclaimed,
mamma? Then slowly the eyelids
, closed, the head once more fell back on
the mothers shoulder, near the heart
that had so loved and suffered for him.
A mother and son were reunited-God
had one angel moro.
The truth flashed through Paulns
mind. They were dead. He had come
too late. His head was on fire, his eyes
were burning, He fell on his knees, and
pressed to his heart those who were then
beyond sorrow.
The next morning a few fishers who
were going to their work, saw through
/ the open door, Paulus kneeling. They
| called him, but there was no answer
They entered He slowly turned his
. head. He could not open his eyes, he
} would never open them. To their eager
f questions he answered but one word
l 'deadr The truth at last was known
Paulus was blind and crazy
g "Here the fairy stopped. This was the
first time | had heard so sad story.
: never thought any one could be unhappy
l was greatly agitated. and wept bitterly
4 'Oh' | exclaimed, 4 will try to be bet
4 ter now Gabrielle, the beautiful lady
S answered, may this sad story be lessor
to you. Those two pearls were intended
< to save two lives; they failed. May they
!, save you from pride, vanity, make yol
:, remember the poor, and appreciate th
d kindness of Godn oh, stay with me
e Without your beautiful presence anC
J, kind advice l shall never know wha
: will be best to do said Yes, she an
e swered softly; yes, you will, Gabrielle
h for | leave you Paulis' two pearls.
d wanted to detain her, but she vanished
n / called her back, but no one answered
t Iawoke, and before me, on my bureau
e lay my birthday present. The suns ray
u were peeping into the room through th
l. rich lace curtains, and my pearls, NOR
u beautiful than ever, seemed surrounde
IL by golen light. ! did not think an
q more of wearing them at school, to be or
is wed by poorer girls. In my mind, nea
IS them l could see a dying woman, wit
D. her baby looking at me with its great
s. sorrowful eyes, and the blind, Graz
p father.
" "Since then have tried to be goo
and generous, and never do | forget t
,s appreciate the kindness of God toward
n me. Often i have had sorrows and sicl
,s ness, and then / compared them wit
ot the pearl divers. How much less the
lv seemed, and how much easier to beal
az This simple tale drew away a darkne
= from my eyes, and shall always Bile
is those two little pearls, for their story hi
l. taught me great lesson. have new
d. worn them; they seem sacred to m
r. Now my story is told, are you satisie
my darlingP"
1d The little girl looked up, with her lar
w eyes full of wonder and sadness. 80
ell why did he not have the pearls sooner