McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-04-24
go awaya" I repeated, question

-Oo HWnyI IoPcdtouS question:
ingly.
ayes. Does not madame see l am
going on journey, which will take
me far away from heree All! I have
been very sick and tired for many,
many months; but it will be all right
when I meet my mother up there.
l could not restrain my tears. She
laid her hot little hand in mine.
"Why does madam cry for mep 1t
would have been hard had God called
me when was so we'll and strong; but
now every breath hurts me so that it
will be better for meto CO."
There was silence between US for
long time. At last she said
81 shall never more sell Easter roses
or lilies in the market as used to do.
Does madame think there are trees and
flowers in heaven? / know what the
Bible says about the Tree of Life; but
will there be trees like those on earthP
If the earth brings resurrection of the
flowers, will not heaven also?"
l tried to explain to her the perfect
life. the f1awless fruitage of the Eternal
Garden. / did my best to lift her in
nocent thoughts up to those high
regions of eternity, where the flowers
never fade, but merge into new growths,
each more beautiful, more perfect, than
those which preceded it. Her eyes
grew dreamy with these new thoughts.
81 asked" she said, "because you
know, madame, am 80 simple, so ig.
norant, that all I know is to tend flow
ers and fruit. Perhaps the blessed
Lord will give me little corner in His
garden, that I may work. But my
mother, my beautiful young mother,
who has been there so long, will tell me
what to do.
"Ah! she was so good, my mother!
My father died when was quite young
before Elodie was born; but he was
good, too" She paused, exhausted,
and terrible fit of coughing shook her
feeble frame.
"Ah! my children are not back yet"
she said, when it ceased.
81 sent them out for a walk. They
have nursed me day and night, and
they look quite pale. Oh, such blessed
children they are! so patient, so watch
full! never leaving me unless make
them"
HShe dozed little in her chair after
this, then wakened with start.
"Have they not come YETI l want to
see them SO muchi''
looked, but could see nothing of the
children.
'sNot that I fear for them," she con-
tinued. ssThey will have the nest and
the flowers and fruit and the birds and
all my kind, good friends. They will
have my Bible, too," pointing to the
little worn French Bible which lay on
her lap; "but above all, they will have
God TO care for them. No, madame, I
do not fear to leave my children"
elbow they will miss you'll" 1 could
hardly speak, for the tears would come.
eyes, they will miss me-" Her voice
was very calm. "Every year they will
put their wreath of simmortelles' on my
grave. / tell them they must bring
punches of violets and those roses"
pointing to the flowers, overhead.
"Does madame see how beautifully
they bloom this spring! My burial
wreath is ready for me, and I want
them to put few in my hand. When
my mother meets me, I wish her to rec
ognize her favorite roses.''
Another fit nf coughing, and this
time little stream of blood lrickled
from her lips.
With the help of the weeping chill
dren, who had returned, [ carried
Blanche to her bed. l did not leave
her again that evening-no, not until
the tired, tender eyes were hidden by
the white lids, aud the wasted hands,
holding the roses, were folded over the
pulseless breast.
My blessed little flower girl! Me-
thinks she has carried the aroma of
those Provence roses straight up to the
steps of the great white throns. In
Gods great kingdom my bird, which
has fed from her nest, has found ref
uge where her steadfast, innocent faith
will develop the glorious life of which
only dim possibilities reach US here.
She blest us; but, as bless the roses,
A morning swift, brief space.'
The blooming Casters come and 60.
She is no longer in the flower market.
Other hands deal in Easter roses and
lilies. But every Easter lay white
flower on her grave, and love to re-
call her memory, and to dream of her
as one of the flowers in the immortal
gardens, and to speak of her as my
Easter lily youths Companion.