Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-27
Baby BELIEFS Death
Baby Belle was dying.
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All through the great mansion that stood
on one of BOStOn's best residence Streets
there was the solemn hush which is al
ways to be noted in connection with the
presence of death or its near coming In
front of the house the street had been COW
cred with tan-bark, so that the noise of
teams might not disturb the little sufferer
within, who had lain so patiently through
the long, long weeks of a wasting sick
ness. The servants, every one of whom
had long since learned to love the
one who was so soon to be called for
ever away from the sorrows and
cares of earth, moved about in sadness
and with nOiselesS tread. In the chamber
where the little girl lay dying-BabY
Bellies own rOom-a sOrrowful group was
assembled. Beside the cot on which the
wasted form reposed knelt the child's
mother in an agony of grief. No tears
came from her eyes, but the tense lines of
her face and the unspeakable woe which
was apparent in her features told their
own sad story. Six years ago she had
married John Murdoch, and when, year
after the wedding, a beautiful girl-baby
had been born they felt that their cup
nf happiness was indeed trimming over,
and as the child grew up their love for
her became almost an IdOlatry. Every
night after Baby Belle had gone to sleep
in her little bed John Murdoch would
steal softly up stairs and kiss the rosy
cheeks over which perhaps the smiles
that came from dreamland were playing;
and, no matter how severe the labor of
the day had been, no matter what cares
and trials and disappOintments had come
to him, they faded away as if by magic
when once he entered the precincts of the
child's room, and he knew nothing but
calm cOntentment and placid joy.
And now she was dying. There was
10 II
who had seen death in all forms, had told
them this. For nearly an hour the child
had been in tranquil slumber. Suddenly
she awOke, and instinctively her little
hand, once chubby and dimpled but now
wasted almost to a shadow, sought that
of her father. Then her eyes closed again,
but while those around thought her Sleep
ing she spoke to her father.
"Do you love me, papaW she asked.
every dearly, my darling" replied John
Murdoch, kissing the little hand that lay
in his.
''And will you give me promise-one
promise before Igo away fOreverp
Eyes, darling" said Mr.. Murdoch, his
voice chOked with sObs.
'Then PROMISE" continued Baby Belle,
"that you will never take a drink of
whisky again. 1t will make me happy
oh so happy, to have you do this"
81 promise" replied the father. EENeYer
again shall a drop of whisky touch my
lips"
Two little white arms twined about
John MurdOch's neck, and a weak, child
ish voice said to him: 'Pm very happy
now, rapa," and then there was silence.
Baby Belle was dead.
"aave something's"
John Murdoch stopped on his way
through a restaurant as these words
reached his ear. and recognized in the
speaker, one of a party of gentlemen who
were sitting at table, an old acquaint-
ance.
'Thanks," lie replied, ''but 1 never
drink whisky" Then, seeing the incredu-
lous smiles with which this statement
was greeted, he stepped to the table.
'Two months ago, gentlemen he said,
81 promised my dying child that l would
never taste another drop of whisky, and
never will" and then. turning to the
waiter. he said, in low, tremulOus tones:
''Bring me some rum and mOlasses. -
From ga Boston Idyt," by Hurat Hal
stead,