The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-07-12
Death OF the Old Wife.

She had lain all the day IN stupOr, Oreath-
ing with heavy -labored breath, but as the sun
sank to rest in the far western sky and the
red glow on the wall Of the room faded into
dense shadows, she awoke and called feebly
to her aged partner, who was sitting by the
bedside; he bent over his dying wife and
took her wan wrinkled hand in his. us it
night? ?" she asked in tremulous tones, look
ing at him with eyes that saw not.
Yes" he answered, softly. ut is grow
ing dark"
"Where are the children" she queried ''are
they all ?"
Poor old man How could be answer her ?
the children who had SLEPT for long years in
the old churchyard-who had outlived child
hood and borne the heat and burden of the
day, and growing old, had la down the cross
and gone to wear the crown, before the old
father and mother had finished their sojourn.
"The children are safe" answered the old
man, TREMENDOUSLY, don't think ofthem, Janet,
think of yourself; does the way seem dark? ?"
my trust is in Thee let me never be con-
founded. What does it matter if the way is
dark? I'd rather walk with Godin the dark
than walk alone in the light. Tdrather walk
with Him by faith than walk alone by sight"
John, where's little Charlie ?" she asked
Her mind was again in the past. The grave
dust OF twenty years had lain on Charles
golden hair. but the mother had never for
gotten him
The old man patted her cold hands
hands that had laDored SO hard that they
were scanned and wrinkled and calloused with
years of toll, and the wedding ring was worn
to u mere thread ofgold-and then he pressed
his thin lips to them and cried. She had en-
couraged and strengthened him in every toll
of life. Why, what woman she had been
What a worker What leader in Israel
Always with the gift of prayer or service
They had stood at many n deathbed to-
gether-closed the eyes of loved ones, and
then sat down with the Bible between
them to read the promises. Now she was
about to cross the dark river alone. And it
was strange and sad to the old man and the
yellow haired grand daughter lett them, to
hear her babble Of walks in the woods, of
gathering May flowers and strolling with
John, of petty household cares that she had
always put down with strong, resolute hand;
of wedding feass and deathbed triumphs and
when at midnight she heard the bridegroom's
voice, and the old man bending over her cried
pitifully, and the young granddaughter kissed
her pale brow, there was solemn Joy in her
voice as she spoke the names of her children
one by one, as if she saw them with immor-
tai eyes, and with one glad smile put on i'm
mortality.
They led the old man sobbng away, and
when he saw her again the glad morning sun
was shining, the air was jubilant with the
song Of birds, and she lay asleep on the couch
under the north window, where he had seen
her so often lie down to rest while waiting
for the Sabbath bell. And she wore the same
best black silk and the string of gold beads
about her thin neck and folds of white tulle.
Only now the brooch with his miniature was
wanting, and In its place was white rose
and spray of cedar-she had loved cedar
she had loved to sing over her work:
oh may in His courts he seem
Like young cedar fresh and green
But what strange transformation was there!
The wrinkles were gone. The traces of age
and pain and WEAKNESS were all smoothed
out the face had grown strangely young, and
a placid smile was laid on the pale lips. The
old man was awed by this likeness TO the
bride of his youth. He kissed the unrespon-
sive lips and said softly: you've found
heaven first, Janet, but you'll come for me
soon It's our first parting in more than
seventy years, but it won't be for long-it
won't be for long - And it was not for long.
The winter SHOWS have not fallen, and there
is another grave, and to-day would have been
their diamond wedding We had planned
much for it, and wonder-I wonder-but
no where they are there is neither marriage
nor giving in marriage.