Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-09-03
stlomth' q Column.
I Shall Tum Back.

the process and constantly remind
ing me that this, that and the other
plaything, and especially the six
dolls must not be forgotten. To |
their intense delight they were as
sured nothing would be left behind.
The trunks were ready to strap,
and l was resting and planning for
their departure, when Baby (she was
nearly four months over three years,
but was still the baby of three low
ing households) climbed into my
lap as was her custom when oppor-
tunity offered. AS she nestled close
ly in my arms and rested her sweet
little face against mine, | thought of
the separation that was soon to take
place, the loneliness that would fol-
low, and l could not repress the
choking sensation within me as /
said:
"And Baby is going to leave Papa
all alone and so long"
Her beautiful, bright eyes looked
up into mine as she replied:
81 shall tum back, Papa"
She was my pet, and my belief in
this confident assurance from her
was the bright hope that enabled me
to endure the thought of the family's
absence.
The hour of departure arrived, we
stood in the station waiting for the
train that was to carry them away
from me. An indescribable feeling
of uncertainty caused anxious tho'ts
to fill my mind. I stopped down
beside Baby and drew her close to
me; she placed her arms lovingly
around my neck as said:
"What will Papa do without Baby
all these days.?
Again the reply came with great
| er degree or certainty
81 shall tum back, Papa"
The last goodbye is said, the last
kiss is given. The curtain has drop
ped between us, and the veil that
hides the future, through which no
human eye can penetrate, graclously
conceals from my gaze what is to
| be.
The mystery of the future! We
can speculate about it, we can i'm
agine it, but we cannot penetrate its
deep recesses, we cannot know it..
Thank God that we cannot What
heart aches it saves us from, what
pains it spares us
Days have passed, letters are writ
ten and received, assurances of health
and happiness give comfort and joy
to relieve the loneliness of separa-
ton. The absent ones are eagerly
looking forward to the day when
home will open its arms to them
again. The last letter has been writ
ten; tomorrow we shall return,
is what it contains. At last hope,
that has buoved my heart during
these long days when have thought
or the sweet words, 81 shall tum
back, papa" will change to a glad
fruition.
The day, called tomorrow, came
and with it Baby came but oh, how
changed
l remember with what delight the
anticipated coming filled me, as
stood again in the station watching
the train with its precious freigh
roll in. / remember the pale fac'
of the mother as she came TOWARD
me bearing our baby in her arms
and the quiet manner of the eide
girl at her side-a sad contrast t.
the joyous prattle and eager greet
ing so long waited for.
My Godl What feeling was tina
came over me. Did my heart turf
to stone? | knew not where / wa
nor what was transpiring around me
The only words | heard as | too
the child in my arms, ''Baby is yer
n SICK" found response in thought
| dared not utter, and what | coul
not, would not believe baby
+. dying
p A carriage home the DOCTOR
All else was chaos it was dream
fearful dream. Should [ eve
awake?
Before me was the precious littl
e form for whose coming ! had waite
so long, who hut yesterday was $
well and happy in the thought {
seeing papa to-day, who went frol
me with eyes so bright and laugh
OF ing, now staring at me nnconscior
~ and moaning in her fitfui dream,
u it seemed as if / should 60 mad ]
s And now it came to me that ever
IL