News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
Death of the Old Wife.

She had lain all day in a stupor.
breathing with heavily laden breath, but
as the sun sank to rest i'll the far off
western sky, and the red glow on the
wall OF the room faded into dense shad-
Ows, she woke and called feebly to her
aged partner; who sat mOtiOniess by the
bedside. He bent over his dying wife,
and took her wan, wrinkled hand in his.
els it night" she asked in tremulous
tones, looking at him with eyes that saw
net. eyes" he answered softly, sit is
growing dark. ''Where are the chill
dren 2 she queried; care they all in ?"
Poor old man how could he answer
her? the children who had slept for
long years in the old churchyard-who
had Outlived childhood and borne the
heat and burden of the day, and, grow
ing old, had laid down the cross and
gone to wear the crown before the old
father and mother had finished their So
jOurn -''[Fhe children are safe an
swercd the Old man, TREMENDOUSLY; "don't
think Of them, Janet, think of yourself;
does the way seem dark" ''NIy trust
Is in Thee; let me never be confounded.
What does it matter if the way is dark
I'd rather walk with God in the dark
thar walk alone in the light. I'd rather
walk with Him by faith than walk alone
by sight. John, where's little Charlie o.
she asked.
Her mind was again in the past The
grave dust of twenty years had lam on
Charles golden hair, but the mother
hal never forgotten him. The old man
patted her cold hands-hands that
labored so hard that they were scanned
and wrinkled and calioused with years
of toll, and the wedJing-ring was worn
to Il mere thread of gold-and then lie
pressed his thin lips to them and cried
She had encouraged aud strengthen ned
him IN every toll of life. Why, what a
woman she had been What worker
What leader in Israel Always with
the gift OF prayer or service. They had
stood ut 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
1t was strange and sad to the old man,
and the yellOwhaired granddaughter
left them, to hear her babble of walks in
the woods; of gathering mayfOwers and
strOIIlng with John; of pretty household
cares that she had always put down with
a strong, resOlute hand; of wedding
feasts and death-hed triumphs; and
when ut midnight she heard the bride
groOm's voice, and the old man, bending
over her, cried pitifully, and the young
granddaughter kissed her pale brow;
there was solemn Joy in her voice rs
she spoke the names of her children,
one by one, as if she saw them with I'M
mortal eyes, and with one glad smile put
eli lmmOrtality
They led the old man sObbing away,
and when he saw her again the glad sun
was shining, the air was jubilant with
the song of birds, and she lay asleep on
the couch under the north window
where he had seen her so often lie down
to rest, while waiting for the Sabbath
bell. And she wore the same best black
silk, and the string of gold 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 u .... ....... q ...-..
she had loved ,ejar-she nad loved TO
sing over her E,lEk
''Oh may | 40 gig, court Doe seen.
Like young ue,...r, fresh and green.
But what n strange transformation
was there! The wrinkles were gone.
The traces of age, and pain, and weari-
ness were all smoothod out; the face
had grown strangely young, aud a
placid smile was ON the pale lips. The
old man was awed by the likeness tothe
bride of his youth. He kissed the I'M,
responsive lips, and said softly: "You've
found heaven first, Janet, but you'll
come for me soon. It's our first parting
in over seventy years, but it won't be
for Iong-it won't be for long" And it
was not The winter SHOWS have not
fallen, and to-day would have been their
diamond wedding. We planned much
for it, and wondcr-G wondcr-butnO?
Where they are there is neither marriage
nor giving in marriage.