Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-01-11
''IPAPA'S0 OLD PET. 2
4: BY ), KA Il s.. WINDSOR ! / !. /

coal fire is burning brightly. Ever and
anon they lean forward in their easy
chairs and extend their hands, as if to
grasp more Of the generous warmth
which is already penetrating to every
corner Of the coy apartment. "a
8 Both are well-to-do merchants of the
quaint New England town in which they
were born, and where they have resided
all their lives. On the table by their
side stands a decanter, well filled with
raie old port, and an open box con-
/ tanning choice cigars. @@..s@ .4.3.s
Come, fill, manH says the host to his
guest, T don't envy the poor beggars
IN no pass by such tipple as this It will
warm you up and give you new lease
of life" r
! The invitation is promptly accepted,
and the action is repeated again and
again, Soon their tongues are loosened,
and the conversation becomes quite ami
mated. Brilliant. sallies Of wit and peals
of contagious laughter followed each
other in quick succession, until the hour
hand on the parlor clock points the hour
Of II, and Richard Grant, the guest of
the evening, rises. hastily from hisseat.
@"By Jove, Percival, how time flies!"
he says, II had no idea it was so late,
and I promised Mary to be home by 10
o'clock " ~,
/ "That's one of the disadvantages of
Iaughinsly' You are too cornwall
Grant, for benedict"
"We1l talk about That another time"
responded Mr.. Grant, smiling. Per-
: haps the advantages more than counter
balance the disadvantages. Anyhow, I
am satisfied, Percival, and so yonwould
be if you had us good wife as mine"
And Richard Grant, grasping his
friends hand, wishes him goodnight"
and wends his way EOmeWard.
Ethel, the 3 year-old daughter of Mr..
Grant, is dying. Already her wan little
face bears a spiritual look, and her
mother can no longer hide from herself
the fact that death is near.
The little one has but one cry, II want
papap and as Mrs. Grant hears it her
heart, is sad indeed. Mr.. Grant is o
good husband and indulgent father, but
he is not what the world cali domesti-
Gated man. He knows that his child
"papa's old pet" as he is wont to call
her--is ON the verge of eternity. Yet
SO strong is his inclination for company"
that he cannot leave his, friend until
midnight.
So Ethel calls for papa in vain. Her
mother sits by the bedside with all agoni
zed look on her features and the hot
tears coursing swiftly down her cheeks.
.@"Bring Tecdy' mama dear"
Already the voice is becoming more
feeble and tremulous. No time is to be
lost, and Teddy, the baby, is held be-
fore her.
, A raw of light Eliminates her face as
she looks lovingly ON her little play
mate.
stDear Teddy" 1880.
Suddenly, very suddenly, there comes
a change.
'Oh, mamma, it is so dark-so dar k!'
Mrs. Grant bends over, presses her
own lips 10 the child's, and with a
mighty effort to restrain her grief,
Patience, my darling! The lights
coming"
ooh, mamma, nurse Ethel!''
The mother cannot resist the appeal.
She lifts child, pillow and clothing to
her lap, and awaits the end. She has
not long to wait. The little face assumes
n wax-like hue. Evidently the white
} winged snessenger is near.
''By, mamma! BY papaw
/. A breatiless silence reigns in the
room. Other mothers are present, and
they weep silently.
Ethel sleeD--papa-klss!
And Ethel sleeps-sleeps the sleep
that knows no waking. Her pure spirit
has gone to God who gave it, and mamma
and Teddy will see her here nevermore.
. L ~ e" = 4
.,t.s:What, up still, Mary? Why did you
wait for me?" Mr.. Grant inquiries, a
touch of i'm patience in his voice.
"Hush, Richard There are others
in the house, and trouble has come to
u.s."
: IT is I o'clock, and Mr.: Grant has just
returned, flushed with wine, and in ex-
{ uberant spirits. The impress Of sorrow
is on his wife's features, and there is
such a strange light in her eyes that he
pauses to look at her?"
What do you mean, Mary""
+, "Oh, Richard, we have lost 'papa's
oldspetp' And Mrs Grant, unable longer
to restrain her grief, filings herself in
her husbands arms and Weeps pi.ifully.
Gently disengagine himself he hastens
to the chamber. .='s IL, 3 ;. .:,-'.
y Yes, it is quite true. There before
him lies the earthly shell-all that is left
I to him of his little darling. He is quite
sober now. Then comes his wife to join
|: him, and tell him all that has taken place.
eff you had but been here, Richard"
! she saws, piaintively, sit would not been
I SO hard to bear. Why did you not
coIne?o .:.;; =. y :, Z
B tsWell, my dear, met Peicival, and
!. he invited me home. Wehad glass or
\ two of wine, and conversing together
the time slipped away" ~ @%s
[ s. Have YOU never thought, Richard,
hoW5it must be for me sit here hour af-
ter hour, listening for the footsteps that
I seldom comes till morning?" .
/ !. VI & g No. Mary, / have not thought much
/. about it, or perhaps should not have
" neglected you" 80 sss# Il.
III .#s' Il. is natural that should like the
( more natural that 4 and the children
i should have your first attention. The
Il dear child whom God has taken from us
B soften cried herself to sleep calling
n for 81 OI. 81 III, $s .as
Say no more now, Mary. cannot
If bear III, We are sorely stricken, and
Il mus help each Ter to bear our ssor-
ss row &, =5Ss rs 3 r8 81
The house seemed to be deserted, al
80 though several people were moving
noisslessly about. With the spirit Of
Ethel the sunshine had for the time de
parted, and the shadow Of grief was
esent ever ere.
Earth to earth ashes to ashes dust
ss tto dust Solemnly and with d measured
prett cask ct is lowered to It's final rest
4 JUG place, cano bed BY an valanche and
a 90 piously Watered with the tears Of al:
f.fyf;;r,s1