The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-17

moment she was feeling SO wretchedly
herself? "That face is not one of an I'M
postor, those delicate fingers tell me no
falsehoods, in their meagerness," said
Mabel, mentally, as she inquired, "What
is your namew
mabel Graham" replied the child
timidly.
"Have you any parentsT'
II have mother, but she is so i'll.
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! l
don't want my mother to diep And the
poor child began to cry.
"Do not cry" said Mabel, compassion
ately. "It is early, but Pll go and see
your sick mother" .t
The child looked I'D in astonishment.
"Why we live in little room--not such
a nice, large house as this"
"Never mind that" replied Mabel. M
will go and see what can do for your
mother. You lead the way and l will
follow. But stop, are you not hungry
eyes, ma'am, little. / 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 OH her errand of mercy. The
room was low and small. The only
article Of furniture, an old cook-stove, a
rough table, and one chair, while upon a
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: 81 have not a very inviting
place to receive you"
"You are very i'll. Do not let my
presence distress you," Mabel answered,
"for came, hoping to relieve your suf-
ferings if possible"
"You are very kind, but it will soon
be over. Pm nearly done with this life"
Turning and looking up into MabePs
face, she said: "My days are numbered
and yet, if it had been the will of God
l should have chosen to stay few more
years for my child's sake" .j ...
She paused, and looking anxiously al
the little wan figure, drew her closely to
her breast and folded her arms about
her. Her pale lips moved, and occasion
ally the words "Lord and Savior" were
heard. Enough to know that the dying
! mother WAS entreating Divine aid fol
the child she was soon to leave alone in
the world.
"1s there anything more sadp' thought
Mabel Richardson, as she gazed upor
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
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 sistel
Alice, who nine years ago kissed yor
'good-by' in your little trundle-bedw
Mabel could not answer. Her tear,
were the only reply, as they claspec
each others hands in speechless recogni
tion. The story of betrayal, the struggl,
with poverty and shame, were now mad
known to Mabel. II was almost over.
"Get the bible, Mabel, and read to M
the twenty-third psalm" ,.,.....
| Mabel did as directed, and as sh'
closed the book, Alice repeated, "Yea
though walk through the valley of th'
shadow Of death, I viii fear no evil, tol
Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy
staff comfort me-" .n"
AS the sound died from the lips, th,
soul too fed, to enter upon a new life
where there are no betrayals, and where
the wronged will find eternal peace.
eve will have no burdens then, bles
God; no dying, and love will stand by
her golden font. and baptize the re
deemed Of the Lord, who have come W
through great tribulations."