Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-03-28
TIE ANGELS TEAR.

Yes, mamma"
''When you come ont of school call at
Mrs. Kings and ask how Ruth is"
| Kitty pans d in the DOORWAY and
| pouted her pretty lips. look of dis
! pleasure crossing her face.
But, mamma-" she BEGAN netu-
lapilv.
"Now. Kitty. run away, or you will
be late; ami don't forget what l told
YOU"
The child turned impatientlv away,
the frown deepening On her brow.
Breathless anu heated she arrived at
school. Instead of trying all In her
power to control her passion. she gave
way to it on the slightest, provocation.
ALI her lessons were tfoiible to her,
and imperfectly learnt, so that she was
kept In long after the other children had
gone home. aud when released, hot and
tired. she stood id the cool porch of the
school.
''Oh, dear, it is SO hotr' she murmur-
ed. eyeing with great disfavor q tiny
white cottage almost hidden from view
amongst the trees at the very top of q
hill. Il shall never be able to walk all
that way until | get cooe". l don't see
why l should havetogo; Ruth is always
ILL.,"
Turning her back on the glariny white
road, Kitty walked slowly towards the
pretty green valley where she dwelt.
Partly because she felt rather uneasy
rs to ssshss hssr ias h ,5S bss s acted 5Ss' vi
her homeward way. she roamed over
the meadows IN search of flowers.
At last, feeling tired. she threw her
self down under shady tree, and
watched The birds as they winged their
fight to heaven.
She lay there for some time. until beT
eyes, heavy with sleep. closed. and a
deep calm fell upon her from whi,I,
she was aroused by hearing SCUM. IT
music. almost unreal in its sweetness.
and looking up elre behelh vision,
which filled her heart with mingled
feelings of fear and awe
The sky. which seemed to hate Hrdwtt
nearer to her. was open. disclosing q
tiny form clad in snowy garments.
On her head rested Il giittering q crown,
and in her hand she he'd one pure white
lily.
While Kitty gazcd. voice low and
sweet fell on her ears: "Ki,tyr'
She arted. and looked up inquir-
ingly.
"Are you-R Ruth?' she asked In an
awe-s,rickcp whisper.
"Yrs. Kitty. But God sent one of His
angels to fetch me away from the life
of pain. and made me one of His child
ren. am happy NOV. oh, 40 happy"
she said. looking upwards. with ewes
filled with rapt alteration, when slowly
faded, when she turned once morn to
Kitty. and was succeeded by wistful
sadness. a pitying tenderness.
"Ah, Kitty. YOU little thought when
you disobeyed your mother, and neglect
eli her wishes. that the friend YOU were
so unwilling to help was past all earthly
aid. Yet, don't you think if yon had
practised self-denial and gone to her
she would have felt gratel.h for your
kindness. and her last thought of you
would have been one of pleasure? Now
she knows how selfish YOU ara"
And the angel-child bent sorrowfnlly
over Kitty. who. filled with shame and
reno -se, bowed her head in her hands.
II did not mean to be 80 ungraciuhs,
only it was so hot l could not 20 30
far" sb. murmurcd humbly.
..Do YOU think it was right to crafty
your own INCLINATION? Will you b1
happier, knowing you allowed the
chance of doing good to pass, to suit
| your own comfort?"
And Ruth grzed earnestly at kitty's
distressed countenance.
II will try to do better in future -in-
l y / 4 -
Farewell. Kitty, farewell" Ruth
cried. and softly passed the lily she held
across Kitt,'s brow. atear rolled slowly
down her ch.ek, and fell on the child's
hand, and lay like diamond sparkling
in the rays from above.
With sad smile the little angel rose
| in the air, nearer to that home she had
left for short time. and through the
half-opcned portal golden light
cleaned, throwing flood of splendor
over her white robes "a she disappeared.
Kitty. silent and wondering, watched
her a. she entered the crystal gates;
then the sound Of music. which had fol-
lowed aud surrounded her like the peal
| of unseen bells, grew fainter. and finally
died away; q thick cloud rolled with q
loud crash over the opening. shutting
out the sight Of angel forms. and leav-
ing only in its stead 4 adreary blankncss.
As that awful crash fell on her enrs,
Kitty started to her feet, and glanced
around in wild alarm.
Could it have been possible she had
been asleep. and the vision Of Ruth and
the crystal gates be only dream.
A she still gazed. lost IL amasemene.
another drop larger and clearer fell b.
side it; this was follow ed by many Others,
and Kitty. looking upwards, saw that il
was raining.
/. A vivid fash OF lightning passed
swiftly through the air, and again that
awful crash she had heard in her sleeu
fell on her ear.
She could doubt no longer 1 storm
was threatening, and uniess she hasten.
ed would commence In all its fury bS.
fore she reached home.
| Trembling In every limb, Kitty
turned 70 60 when : sudden thought
struck hsr. = 81.