Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-10-26
wondered how could have been so de-

uo Wucu L Optubu Iut
door, missed the raised head and when
l reached his corner, saw it lay on the
pillow. The smile was a little fainter
than usual. noticed at once that each
cheek was marked with flushed spot.
and that he breathed in short, quick
breaths. In answer as to how he felt, he
said:
"All right-only out of wind. Can't
you raise breeze some wayPn
bolstered him up and famed him as
though his life depended on it. All the
time my heart was beating so fast that
didn't dare speak. He breathed easier and
seemed to feel better. He tried hard to
swallow the breakfast | had taken a little
extra trouble to prepare, and grew cheer
full all the time. The surgeon didn't do
anything more than | had done, and only
frowned when the boy asked in careless
way, that was all put on, if he wouldn t
be up in few days. He whispered in my
ear as he passed:
Inflammation set in. Better send for
friends if he has any
didn't lose any time, and with hands
that trembed and eyes that blurred,
wrote to that mother-who, somehow, had
grown akin to me- that Willie was
wounded and that the doctor thought he
wouldn't live. At the close | wrote, "
am doing all can for your dear boy"
thought perhaps it would ease her mind
little. l wasn't going to tell him of the
letter until he spoke of writing; but to
ward night he grew worse again. and l
could see he was thinking about it.
Finally asked what l could do for him
He only turned his head away and kept
very still. He thought l didn't see his
lips quiver. and the tears that he tried to
hide in the wooden shawl. After IL mo.
ment he spoke up just as pleasant as
ever.
perhaps you'd better-let mother
know-I amt getting well-so fast as
was"
told him just as quietly as could that
had thought for some time that his
mother had better come and see if she
couldn't do better than | at nursing, so
had sent word to her that morning. He
seemed really pleased, but didn't have
breath enough to tell me so for long
time. After while he seemed easier. and
I almost thought he'd gone asleep; but in
a minute his eyes opened, "Auntie, u
was at his side instantly" do you think
I'll get we!lP"
What could l say? did you ever have to
answer such hard question: nerved
myself to tell the truth. "hope 50,
Willie, but I'm afraid not.'
Another question followed: "Will mo-
ther come-in the morningP"
Perhaps so, Can't you 60 asleepp"
He shook his head, and pretty soon laid
his hand in mine. gave it warm pres
sure.
"Auntie, I'm 'fraid-I haven't been
good. Didn't ever forget-to pray, though
Just as mother said. Won't you, now?"
My first thought was to send for the
chaplain; but, no; Willie had asked me
so prayed the best could-prayed that
the mother might come soon, and if no
that the dear Savior would help this suffer
ing boy here and the mother at home, ant
that they might meet by and by ii
heaven. When | raised my head ther'
was a beautiful smile on his face.
thought he was dying. called an attend
ant and the doctor; and after a time h
became conscious, and then began strug
gle for breath that lasted all through tina
long weary night. Not one word of com
plant, and always smile when we triet
to relieve him. At daybreak he was bet
ter. As soon as the stage came | was a
the door to see if one of its occupant
wasn't a little woman in black. I ough
! to have known that the time was toe
short, but was too excited to be reasona
BILE. | can't forget what an anxious face i
was that turned to me. "Did she Gomez
| could only shake my head, and swal
lowed hard to keep the lump out Of my
throat. "If She ont come-till toe
late-tell her-it's all right. You prayed
me through"
ever spoke. was almost glad to have
him unconscious, because his breath came
so hard. never left that bedside all the
morning. The doctor came and said hi
couldn't last long. and | saw the same
beautiful look coming back to his face
| whispered Willie" and kissed hi
forehead, growing moist with the death
damp, lust as l thought his mother
would. The lips moved. "Now LA,
me-down to sleep" and he was deaC
even while held him to my own warn
beating heart.
Do you know anything about hospita
funeralsp They buried him the next day
and still his mother had not come. Their
was pine coffin, a few flowers | had
great deal of trouble to get, short praye
and "dust to DUST" the one mourner hat
, to choke back her tears and 60 back t
duties, grown more sacred, but neve
more to be lightened by the smiles an
cheer of her boy.
J She came next day. l showed her tn
, little wooden slab, and told her how h
talked of mother and the messages he lef
. and how beautiful he went asleep Sh
, didn't blame me bit, seemed to know
, that had done what could for him, an
f so comforted me more than I did hel
She took the pine coffin back with her
bury her boy by her husband. Neve
7 shall froget how she smiled through he
> tears as she talked of their being together
| There can be sublimity in suffering.
3 have seen it. This Testament, you SEE
was given me by that mother when o
: that dreary morning she started out fror
the dark, gloomy hospital with her boy
3 Tho Christian Union.