Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-18
MARCEL 1S, 1886.

very proud of you? I'll ask him when we
get down stairs"
How she was tried in all directions that
night!
Minnie's criticism was correct; the black
merino clung in graceful folds to the tall
form-Alice always moved quietly-futed
rutfles partially covered white neck that
many a belle would have coveted, and
dropped over the wrists around which were
buttoned perfectly fitting gloves. The full
braids that her own hands coiled so easily
looked darker still for their crown of heath
er blossoms, and tiny bunch of the little
bells relieved by single tea-rose supplied
the place of brooch.
Ernest ,ras proud OF her as he introduced
her to his mother, and if any hauteur on
the part of the latter chilled her future
daughter-in-law Kate Dent made up for it
in cordiality. The evening was spent in
pleasant company, albeit cloud shadowed
Alice's spirit, she scarcely knew why. A
comment of Mrs. Dents had reached her
hearing: "Black is genteel, at tany rate; we
may as we'll make the best of it," But then
she was worn with teaching and extra care,
and when she babe Ernest good night it
was the saddest parting she had ever given.
She slept, half resolved to release him from
his engagement the following day.
With the mornings dawn came mes
sage "Joey is very ill and wants you to
come"
Aye! she had foreseen it the night before,
listening to the professors words-'if he
lives" Hastily scribbling to Ernest line
excusing her absence, she was off as the
early Christmas chimes summoned the peo-
pie to service.
"Joey is dying, is dying" was the one
echo they bore to her, and then she began to
realize what a claim he held upon her heart
that loved all children, but peculiarly the
poor and suffering.
The thin, cold fingers clung to hers in
greeting, while his mother told of the hem
morrhage that followed his coming home,
though the professor had brought him in a
carriage and gone Immediately for physi-
clan, promising to call the next day.
He was completely exhausted; had watch
ed nervously for his teacher and seemed
satisfied to have her near. She knew she
must be calm, for the sake of the little life
that hung by a thread. The doctor said he
could not linger through the day, and COM
forted the mother by showing how his eX-
istence would be one of intensest suffering
should he be spared. So the two watched
for hours, administering stimulants that
had no effect. In the afternoon he rallied
to consciousness, and, becoming restless,
Alice lifted him gently till his head lay
against her bosom, one of his hands clasp
ing hers, the other holding the bit of heath
er she had brought. Thus it was that Pro-
fessor Weimerand Ernest found them. The
latter had gone early to Alice's, anxious to
plead again for place which he feared he
had forfeited, and not understanding her
absence Gin her haste she had written only
a line) left the house in restless mood and
wandered to st. Marks.
He, with others, missed Joey's voice.
for that, if not its owner, was known-and
he felt that for Alice and himself it was a
sad Christmas Day. Departing from the
church the professor slipped his arm in his
to say: "Come, Pm going to look after my
little boy; l never dreamt he was so sick,
and he practised faithfully. Yes, come, for
you might be jealous Of the love he confers
upon your Miss Clayton. Nothing made
him easy last night but my promise to
send for her."
Alice was too deeply absorbed in Joey
to be surprised at Ernest's entrance. She
was bending her ear to catch his feeble
words: II don't wish was dead-I'm 60
ing to hear music-all the time. Oh, sing,
please; sing for me-"
81 can't, Joey, but some day you will
teach me how when get home with you.
I wish could ~ and she looked so implor-
ingly for his sake as he again plead,
"Sing, please" that Professor Weimer
tried, but for once his tenor failed and he
buried his face.
Alice's and Joey's were the only fearless
eyes in the room.
"IkneW it-kneW the angels would come
for him." cried the mother.
"Hushr" motioned Alice. The dying
boys eyes lighted with an unearthly joy as,
raising himself with that strength which
so often precedes the end, he whispered &:
"Listen hear them. "Glory be to God
on high, and on earth peace" and the
voice which was fast joining the angels,
so Lord God, heavenly King" then lin
gered over the threefold prayer till it was
lost: "Thou that taketh away the sins OF
the world, receive"
1t was Alice who broke the awful silence
Alice who laid the form down and closed
the eyes with trembling fingers; Alice
who directed what should be done, and said
/ to Ernest; "Come for me in three hours
When the two returned she led them to
the little body. Perhaps Ernest Dents
heart was the single one which felt a pang
as he saw the new clothes. Joey's mother
had told their story while Alice covered
them with the flowers the professor had
brought, murmuring to herself: "No more
death, neither sorrow nor crying, for Goo
shall wipe away all tears"
The freight fickers and dances in the
parlor. Alice's face is full of her loss, YET
in her soul there is naught but thankfulness
for herself, for the humble man at her side
but most of all for Joey!
Tenderly stroking the black merino, Ern'
est whispered in a broken voice: IL am
not worthy of you. Oh, Alice, lifetime
alone can prove how proud / am of you
My darling, it is the saddest, gladdes1
Christmas nightn'
Aunt Jane, stopping to bid good night
laws her hand on the dark braids and says
"Whosoever shall give to drink unto one OF
these little ones a cup of cold water only