Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-20
voyage around the horn; for this is the |
only kind of miracles we have now.

voyage around the horn; for this is the
only kind of miracles we have now.
And so it was agreed that we two should
take the child to the shrine together
Meanwhile, the practical Protestant, who
did not believe in miracles of to-day.
busted herself in trying to get track of
the poor absent father. 1t was nearly a
week, however. before we got off. for the
days were wet and dreary. and the child
was hardly strong enough to make the
journey there and back on bad day. We
got off at last. 1t was a great occasion
for the child. She nestled her little head,
with its mass of wealth, down on nv
bosom and prayed all the time as carried
her on board and laid her down on the
little bench reserved for cripples. before
the lamp burning at the feet of the good
Saint Ann. The good Protestant lady,
leaning over her said:
My child. pray tor your father to come
to you. | know he will come for you
soon. may be to-day. and he will be your
legs, and that. my darling, will be the
miracle"
''If my papa comes to me from around
from down there in the white pillows and
NUN tlC ttputtS VI DidCh ii
my father comes for me after | have come
to the shrine of Saint Aun"-brow, breast.
left, right-"why he won't have to carry
me at all for will run at his side as light
as feather, ma am, and my legs will be
long. and strong. and straight as any
kody's."
And so carried her ashore and into the
church, and laid her praying at the pitiful
feet of the mother of the Holy Virgin, full
of faith, and hope. and peace; of bound
less belief that a miracle should restore
her. and make her strong and straight like
others.
An hour later we ca me back. She still
ley there before the shrine between the
two tall pyramids of crutches. left there
by the thousands who had been healed.
But her little crutch still peeped out over
the little shoulder through the clouds of
hair. 1t was time to go, and, leaning over,
I took the little one again in my arms.
''Oh. am as light as a feather" she
whispered, as she nestled down her little
head and passed out of the church, land
| know that my papa will come from
around the Horn. like the good woman
said, only shall rise up and be straight
and strong, with legs like anybody's.
We laid her down on the little bed in
the boat as before. She was. indeed. as
light as a feather. Her faith was not
shaken. She assured the good Protestant
lady that we would not have to carry her
on shore, but that she should surely walk
at her side. As we left her the woman
was crying. but the face of the child was
radiant with peace, and faith, and hope.
At last the lady said:
II know as well as / know that I am
living. that the father has come into port.
and will be waiting to receive her. know
that the day OF miracles on earth are over,
yet know that faith like hers has its re-
ward. She must not, she shall not be dis
appointed entirely; that will kill her.
YES" she continued. as we drew in toward
Quebec. Il know that is the solution and
way of it all. The father has not been lost
at sea. but he has returned from around
the stormy cape, and is waiting for her
now"
The boat ground against the wharf. and
we went in to get our little charge. after
looking in vain among the crowd for some
who might be her father. The woman
approached. held back the sheet. touched
the clasped hands, and drew back with a
cry of pain and terror. The
Father had indeed come to take His child
tO the shore, to that better shore beyond
the stormy cape of earth's unrest She
was dead.