The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-02
Ghilaren's Column.
Mrs. Cushions Loss and Gain.

They" were the Cushions, friends of
mine and of the letter writer, whose
snatches of news about the family centre
you see, about the eldest, beautiful girl
of fourteen.
Hetta dead? How could it be2 Still
and cold in the grave; she, so full of
bloom when last saw her, on tiptoe with
joyous life, the eldest girl, already her
mothers companion. always her fathers
pride. The very sight of her gave pleas
ure as he used to go by the house on her
way to school with troop of little girls
tagging after her. She was always kind
to the little girls.
Hetta, well brought up, well-to-do,
we'll endowed, with the promise of noble
womanhood, dead What did she die
for? And thought of old Polly Brown
who longs to go; and poor Mrs. Bell, who
says she is afraid God has forgotten all
about her; and of Mr.. Frasier, who
might just as we'll be dead as not; and of
Mr.. Nutter, who had better be dead, for the
sake of their poor families. Yes, and the
poor seamstress, who must soon die, and
whose death might have been fastened a
bit if somebody in the street must he
taken. But Hetta
The family did not seem to need such
a crushing blow o dear They were
nice, kind, devout people, good to the
core, whose hearts should not be need
lessly wrung, people would have said l
asked passionately, Why why? could
not believe it.
1t was very real when I went to see
the Cushions, as did as soon as I went
-
in her mothers face trying to smile a
smile of reconciliation to Gods will but
with a sea of tears behind it. l saw it
In her fathers wistful manner, looking
every now and then towards his wife as
if he missed something, longing after it
with unspeakable longing.
The children too They had little
experience all their own, and what do
you think it was? Wonder that il
heaven is as beautiful as mother always
said, what for did folks cry so because
sister has gone there? Were not grand
ma and grandpa and Auntie Jane and
Cousin Sue there, and would not they be
ever so glad to see Hetta? and would
not the angels be glad and would not
God be glad to have her? and would not
they all go by-and-by? Only Hetta went
first.
George was much exercised about
how she went, for George and Helen
were in bed when IL happened. Did she
go in chariot of fire as Elijah did -? Did
she climb up Jacobs ladder?
God took her." the nurse said; I" it
was da k, and they could not see, but
God took her peacefully; that they
knew"
The children would Ike to have
known more They often talked it over
among themselves after they went to
bed.
ct don't feel bad that Hetta has gone
first; do you, George ?" asked his sister.
" No more do l" said George, be-
cause we shall go surely"
But mother does, said Helen.
Yes, said George, "mother does.
But, Helen, heaven is beautiful where
Hetta is.
Grief puzzled the children. They be-
ieved. Mother and father would have
given all the world at that moment to
have had the faith of little child. 1t
was so simple so trusting. The children
believed what their parents had taught
them but the parents-had they out
grown what God had taught them, or had
they never taken it in at all?
believe help thou mine unbelief,"
cried the poor mother in anguish ofspirit.
My child is with the Lord. She was
given to Him before her birth. She has
been given to him again and again since,
and now that he has taken me at my
word shall murmur or complain? God
help mel
AS said, it did not seem as if she
needed such ploughing of the heart
the fresh burrows were SO dank and wet.
Mrs. Cushion came in one day with
note in her hands.
have been thinking of r. S." she
said. " / am afraid he has no pew in
church. You know I have a spare seat
now, and thought would write and ask
him to sit in Hetta's place"
Who can tell what thrill of grateful
surprise flushed the lonely heart of the
young clerk as he read the tender words
addressed to him?
A new family moved into the neigh
borhood. Soon after the doctor was
called a child was sick and dying.
II will 60 directly" said Mrs. Cush-
ion. They are strangers, indeed, but
we shall not be long strangers"
And q toor ooroo int TO- c.