The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-05-26

ana II Iorget-no-1I II cease 10 SpeaE
Of her To YOU. y
Tomorrow. my child. Ask me ne
more now. God save you the experience
of your mother. Pray for it, Mabel
even as | do. Good night
| That night Mabel slept but little.
Alice had suffered all these years, hel
mother had not escaped grief. With
these thoughts and her mothers agita
ton uppermost in her mind, Mabel was
restless and uneasy. 1t was early dawn
and seating herself at her window, she
was gazing listlessly out into the street.
Now and then a gardeners cart ratified
along the road. and ian occasional twitteI
of birds in the tree beneath her window
attracted her attention and bending Il
catch a glimpse Of her early visitors, the
! sorrowfui tone Of a little mendicant di-
rectlv under her lattice caused her 70
stop for moment in wonder The large
eyes were looking imploringly into her
| own.
please, maam, viii you give me a
| piece of bread ?"
There was something in the manner
Of the little mendicant that attracted
MabeIs notice Was it because at that
moment she was feeling 50 wretch
edly herself? That face Is not one
Of an impostor, those delicate fin
gers tell me no falsehoods, in their
meagerness. +" said Mabel, mentally. as
she inquired, What is your Nance"
''Mabel Graham" replied the child
timidly.
Have you any parents? ,"
Il have a mother, but she Is so ILL.,
She said she was hungry and cold, and
for me to see if | could get her some
thing to eat, for she should die Oh
| don't want my mother to die !" And
the poor child began to cry.
DO not cry" said Mabel, compass
sionately. 1T is early, but I'll 90 and
see your sick mother"
The child looked up in astonishment
"Why we live in little room-not
such nice, large house as this"
''Never mind that replied Mabel.
I will 90 and see what | can do for
your mother. You lead the way and /
will follow. But stop, are you not hun
gry?'
Yes, ma'am, a little. I have had
nothing to eat for two days, but | could
not tell mother, for she would cry and
say she did not know what would be-
come Of me after she was gone"
Mabel gave her some food, and then
proceeded on her errand of mercy. The
room was low and small The only ar
ticles Of furniture, an old cook-stove,
rough table, and one chair, while upon
straw mattress in dark corner of the
room lay poor emaciated woman in
the last stages Of consumption. Upon
seeing Mabel, she reached out her hand
feebly and said: Il have not very in
wiling place to receive you"
GU are very i'll. Do not let my
presence distress YOU Mabel answered,
for [ came, hoping to relieve your
sufferings if possible"
you are very kind, but it will soon
be over. I'm nearly done with this
life"
Turning and looking up into MabeTs
face, she said: My days are numbered
and yet, if it had been the viii Of God |
should have chosen to stay a few more
years for my child's sake"
She paused, and looking anxiouslv at
the little wan figure, drew her closely to
her breast and folded her arms about
her. Her pale lips moved, and occa-
sionally the words Lord and Savior"
were heard Enough to know that the
dying mother was entreating Divine aid
for the child she was soon to leave alone
in the world.
is there anything more sad ," thought
Mabel Richardson, as she gazed upon
the solemn scene with fearful eyes.
The little child sobbed violently, and
hid her face in the bed-clothes. All was
still save the means of the sick woman
and the sighs of the afflicted child. The
silence was broken by the sick lady, who
turned to Mabel and asked her name
Upon being told, she turned very pale,
and trembled perceptibly, groaned aloud,
and sank back upon the pillow. But she
kept her eyes fixed upon Mabel, follow
ing her about the room. At last she
asked
mabel, have you forgotten sister AL |
ice, who nine years age kissed you good
by in your little trundle-bed -
Mabel could not answer. Her tears
were the only reply, as they clasped
each others hands in speechless recogni- |
ton. The story of betrayal, the strug-
gle with poverty and shame, were now
made known to Mabel. 1t was almost
over.
s.Get the Bible, Mabel, and read to
me the twenty third psalm.
Mabel did as directed, and as she
closed the book, Alice repeated YEA,
though | walk through the valley ofthe
shadow Of death, l will fear no evil, for
Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy
staff comfort me-
As the sound died from the lips, the
soul too fed, to enter upon new life,
where there are no betrayals, and where
the wronged will find eternal peace.
1--WE will have no burdens then, bless
God no dying, and love will stand by
her golden font, and baptize the re
deemed of the Lord. who have come up
through great tribulations."