Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-08-08
A LAST HYMN.

had gathered around the organ in the
parlor to try and entertain him in return,
and, possibly, to exhibit our proficiency in
music with very innocent pride.
We had all inherited good voices from
our father, who had taken great pride and
pleasure in our musical training, until,
from Emma. the Oldest, to wee bit
Mabel, our darling little 3-year-old, we
could sing anything we ever heard.
Tonight Louie presided at the organ,
with Emma beside her, and Arthur and
VIII at either hand, while Mabel was nest
ling in Uncle Franks arms-her favorite
resting place.
She was darling little pet with all
the youngest of our large family, and
peculiarly dear, for two lovely little ones
had died just before her birth.
Uncle Frank was strongly attached to
her, for she bore the name of the beloved
wife he had lost several years before, and
Of whom he never spoke save with tender
reverence and tear dimmed eyes.
We sung one after another of our favor
ite hymns. Crock of Ages" whittier Than
Snow" Ninety and Nine" etc, until ut
last Louie played Nearer, Ny God, to
Thee"
We all joined in filling the room with
the sweet music Of the dear old hymn.
IT'LL all my sorn sail be,
Ne'er my DoId to 'ee,"
sung dear little Mabel in her clear, sweet
voice, and with such earnestness in her
bal,y face that Uncle Frank drew the dear
child closer in his a; ms, and caressed the
soft flushed cheek.
There was pause after the last Nearer
My God, to Thee" swelled out with our
united voices; the twilight was creeping
on and sweet, solemn hush followed,
which was broken at last by Uncle Frank.
That recalls one of the sweetest, sad
lest memories of my life," he said, gently
''0h, tell story, Uncle Frank" Mabel
cried, climbing to her feet and laying her
arm around his neck, her soft cheek against
his.
1t was about another Mabel-a little
older than you are, he said, returning her
caress.
'Do please tell us about her." Lon said,
and we all drew nearer in eager expccta-
ton OF another of his interesting stories
''It was one summer night, year or two
ago." he said, drawing Mabel to her old
place ON bis knee. al was returning from
Peoria on a train well filled with excur-
sionists for Niagara Falls; we were heavily
loaded, and little behind time. so were
putting on all stream and dashing along
through the darkness at rapid rate.
Near me were quite large party, who
were very merry aud social together. Two
of them sat directly in front of me-a fine
looking man Of about 40, and little girl
of some II or Is years, evidently his
daughter. She was "a slender, delicate
looking child, and her face attracted me
strongly; it seemed reflection OF heaven
itself, it was SO sweet and lovable in ex-
preston. In the mirror at the front of the
car. just little ahead Of us, I could see
them distinctly, and could not help watch
AhET WIN @ipNlHS lAiGlS6tg lilC lLNtil IdCt
Of the child. She had removed ber hat,
and her head, with its masses of soft,
wavy, brown hair, lay against her fathers
arm, while her eyes of clearest, deepest
hazel were raised at intervals to his face
with look of devoted love.
The faces of both seemed familiar. vet
| could not at first recall where | lad seen
them. At last it came to me--he was a
physician from a neighboring city, who
had attended your Adns Mabel in slight
illness when we were visiting in his town
few years ago, and the little girl accom-.
panied him on one Of his visits. | had
occasion to call your aunt by her name,
and the doctor, looking up with smile,
laid his hand affectionately ON the head OF
his child, So ing: This is my Mabel
~ recalled hearing at the time that the
mother Of the little girl was dead, and so
devoted were tie doctor and his child to
each other they were never separated ex-
cept from absolute necessity
II observed them with renewed interest
after recalling this and noticed all the ten
der solicitude for her comfort on the father
and the confiding devoted love of the child
"As the hour grew late, and some of the
party began to nod wearily, some one
struck up familiar hymn; their voices
filled the car, and all frightened up under
the influence of the music. Hymh after
hymn was sung, until there was a pause
after Sweet Beulah Land, and l leaned
forward and asked: viii you sing Nearer,
Ny God, to Theef'
oh, certainly, with pleasure the
little Mabel said, turning to me with one of
her sweet, expressive smiles, 1T is papa's
fayorite, and mine, also
cone of the party started it, and clear
above all the rush and roar of the train
rang out the most beautiful of all our old
hymns. Never had it seemed so sweet, so
comforting, before
Though like wanderer.
Daylight all gone,
sang the clear young voice as our train
sped on through the darkness, only a
slender rail between us and eternity
'1n mirror l watched the child before
me. Her eyes were raised, and her face
wore the rapt expression of musical
enthusiast and a religious jevotee.
There let the way appear,
Steps up to heaven
she sang, and her eyes seemed looking
straight through the shining portals into
the Celestial city, and her face to catch
CLEAN from its radiance.
Angels to beckon me,
Nearer, My God, to Thee.
'In Imagination almost saw the angels
beckoning the dear child, as | watched the
glow of enthusiasm, the rapt expression Of
devotion in the sweet face
'The doctor was watching her, also, and
a shadow OF pain passed suddenly across
his countenhnce. With a quick movement
he drew his child nearer, as if he, too, felt
the presence of angelic of angelic visitants,
and would fain hold his darling back from
their welcoming arms.
"0n rushed the train clearer and sweet
er sounded the music.
g '0r if on joyous wings,
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon and stars forgot