The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-03-30
Daa!h OF The Old Wife.

She had lain all day in a stupor
breathing with heavily-labored brea b,
but as the sun sank to rest in the lar
ptf western sky, and the red glow OF
the wall OF the room faded into dense
shadows, she awoke and cal ed feebl,
to her aged partner who was sitting mo
tionless by the bedside; he bent owe:
his dying wife and took her wan, wrin
kled hand in his.
..Is it night?" she asked in tremuloui
tones. looking at him with eyes tina.
saw not.
YES" he answered. softly. at e
growing dark"
"Where are the chiidren?' she que
ried; are they all np" E )
Poor old man! how could he answer
her; the children who had slept fol
long years in the Old church-yard-
who had outlived childhood and borne
;he heat and burden of the day, and.
growing old, had laid down the eros:
and gone to wear the crown, be ore the
old father and mother had finished theiI
,ojourn! :
1.-The children are safe," answered
the old man tremulously; ''don thinl
Of them, Janet. think of yourself; does
the way seem dark ?'
"My trust is in Thee: let me never be
,onfounded. What does it matter if the
way is DARK? ..-.--
s'rd rather walk with God in the
dark, than walk a.one in the light.
.Tl'd rather walk with Him by faith
than walk alone by sight,
John, where little Charlie?" she
asked. Her mind was again in the
oast. The grave dust of twenty years
lad lain on Charles golden hair. but
The mother had never forgotten him
The old man patted her cold hands.
aandS that had labored SO hard that
:heyTwere scanned and wrinkled and
:alloused with years of toll, and the
wedding ring was worn to a mere
thread of gold-and then he pressed
nis thin lips to them, and cried. She
nad encouraged and strengthened him
IN every trial of life! Why, what q
woman she had been! What a worker
What leader in Israel! Always with
The gift of prayer or service. They had
stood at many death-bed together
closed the eyes of loved ones, and then
sat down with the Bible between them
TO read the promises. Now, she was
about to cross the dark river alone.
And it was strange and sad to the old
man, and the yellow haired grand.
daughter lie. It them, to hear her Labble
Of walks in the woods. of gathering May
flowers and strolling with John, ol
petty househo cares that she had al
ways put down with strong resolute
hand; of wedding ieasts and death bed
triumphs, and when at midnight she
heard the bride groom voice, and the
old man, bending over her. cred pitt
fully. and the young granddau htel
kissed her pale brow, there was a
solemn joy in her voice as she spoke the
name of her children one by one, as il
she saw them with immortal eyes. and
with one glad smile put on immortality
They led the old man sobbing away,
and when he saw her again the gla,
morning sun was shining, the Air wa
jubiant with the song OF birds and she
lay asleep on the couch under the north
window where he had seen herso otter
lie down to rest, while waiting for the
Sabbath bell. And she wore the same
best black silk, and The string of got
beads about her thin neck, and the
folds of white tulle. Only now the
brooch with his miniature was wanting
and in its place was a white rose and {
spray OF cedar-she had loved cedar
she had loved to sing over her work:
"Oh, may in His courts he seen.
Like young cedar fresh and green"
But what strange transformation wa!
| thereo The wrinkles were gone. The
traces of age, and pain, and wearines'
were all srnoothed out; the face haC
grown strangely young, and placic
smile was laid on the pale lips. The
old man was awed by this likeness tt
| the bride of his youth. He kissed thu
unresponsive lips and sail. softly:
=" You've found Heaven first, janet
but you'll come for me soon! It's oul
first parting in over seventy years. bu
it won't be for long-it won't be fol
longr'
And it was not. The winter snow
have not fallen. and there is anothe
| grave, and to-day would have beel
their diamond wedding! We ha,
planned much for it, and wonder
wonder-but no! Where they are
| there Is neither marriage nor giving il
marriage" ."-Detrott Free FTess.