Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-09-04
yards; don't your" cried the old lady.

returned tho old man; but he accom-
panied her Is she set eagerly off in the
direct on Of the cemetery. Over the
rough and stony ground they labored,
Plold'ng through clayey embankments
and across narrow d.tches. Reaching
level ground at last, and roam ng along
streets and by-ways, they cam at
length to the old mission church. quaint
and ancient, with it's rude Moor:sh
architecture and thick adobe walls.
IheNy paused and gazed for a moment
at the aged structure, before entering
n decrepit gate which led to the
burying ground of the old mission.
A policeman, who had been stand
ing in the shadow of the church and
closely following their movements.
drew from his pocket a copy of the
AFTERNOON paper, and re-read the fol-
loving notices:
AGED PEOPLE LOST.
a gentleman, residing at 1887 Howard
Iath 81, aged eighty.two, and childish, left
Moine early this forenoon on IN errand to
tne market near by, and has not since re.
turned. Information leading to the discov.
received.
An aged lady is also reported lost from her
tired in u plain black bombazine. and car.
RED IN her hand IN embroidered reticule.
Ntied with black ribbon.
"Guess I'll go across the street and
telephone down to the central station"
solloquized the officer.
Meanwh lie the s ngular pair pursued
their way along the tangled paths
which intersected the old cemetery.
A strange hush reigned throughout the
place. Here and there a startled bird
flew from its nest.
I'VE might play hide and seek
among the stones" suggested the old
man. aitlessly.
The DID lady looked at him severely.
you must be q very wicked boy to
think Of such a thing. Let us walk
about and spell the names and verses
on the stones, and smell the flowers"
she added. gently.
Il don't like to do that!' said her
companion, peevishly. 1.-The names
are too hard and long. .F-r-a-n-c-i-s-
Ca Ma r-i-a D-e-R-i-m -e-g-n-a.' What
q queer)name. And when did she dieP
1885. What yearis thisp"
"'Thirty-six, isn't it?" came the
doubtful response.
"Pshay! That was last year or the
year before. Let me see! 1 was born
i'll"
"Oh. don't talk dates. I never
could keep the absurd things in my
head" said the old lady, smiling.
Just look at this cunning little grave,
all covered with myrtle and pansies. It
must have been a baby-a sweet little
baby. But here are some naughty
weeds that are trying to choke out the
pretty flowers"
She carefully uprooted the noxious
intruders and bent forward to decipher
the lettering upon the stone. Then
she started wildly. and looked around
her. A low wall burst from her lips.
In that moment the burden of the for
gotten years descended upon her.
Dropping upon her knees, she flung
her arm protectingly over the tiny
mound, and laid her withered face
among the blossoms.
my darling! Mothers precious"
she cried. .'Gone so long from these
empty arms! When will 1 see YOU
again, my dearestP" And she mourned
and sobbed in a fearless anguish.
The voice of the old man. absently
repeating some familiar words, fell
upon her ear:
.And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes, and there shall be no
more death. neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more PAIN
The tears gushed in a sudden shower
from her faced blue eyes and over her
wrinklcd cheeks. once round and fresh
with the bloom of youth.
"My graves, my graves. If they
would only let me have my graves!
They would not let me come" she
moaned. ''TheY feared the memoir es
they would call back would be too
much for my old heart. 1t is many a
long year since l have seen them. The
young and strong have little thought
beyond the busy, active world in which
they live. But the heart of old age is
buried in the tomb, and the mind lives
only in memories of the past"
Her tone had passed from passion.
ate, protesting pa n to the voice of one
sunk in gentle reverie. She touched
the small mound with q caressine
hand.
'.My baby lies here" she murmured,
my beautiful, dimpled, laughing
baby, who would have been a strong
man were he with me to-day on earth.
Here my two daughters were laid, side
by side, their fair faces full OF the
promise of a noble womanhood. AND
there" (pointing to the long, grassy
mound with the tall. white stone at its
head. ''they placed my husbands body,
washed ashore from the wreck of thu
Vulcan, twenty years ago. All. the
grief was once so bitter. but Time has
softened it. and I can look forward
now to soon rejoin;ng the dear hearts
who are awaiting me-"
The burden Of the forgotten years
had returned, but after the first shocl
had passed away the awakened memo
ries brought only peace and healing
effacing all knowledge of the days o.
weakness. which had interviewed.
The old man sat with his chin rest
ing in his hands. The look of vacancy
had vanished from his face, and hi
eyes, fastened upon the inscription OF
the tall. white stone. sought to arres
some clew which eluded the cloudee
intellect. She followed the direction
of his eyes.
Eyes, it was a worthy name. Sal
Ero~o;coo ~oua1. had a hatfor oitiZan