The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-09-04
ALAST HYMN

~ss With ia lsst. But II took only sbor
time for the little ouos 70 become scqnsin
ee. Allver charmed by his ioteres,ini
stories. Bis kinaly. genital msnner. an
hearty participation 10 their smuse
menis.
The week siicr bis srrisal hsd been
fcousian, succession Of plessan, surprises
Tor each day developed some new pow
er Of entertainment iu our tavoriie un
Gle.
When Suudsy came We bad shown oi
or fue looking relatives At church will
very evident delight. had listened to BIZ
vsfy interesting remarks before the San
dsy school. aud then, after our early sup
per, hsd gathered around the organ 10 ths
psflor 10 try and entertain him IN rciuri
and possibly. to exhibit our proficiency ID
u nsic With very inpocen, pride.
We bad Inherited good voices from Gu
father who bad taken great pride and
pl.asnre in our musicsl training, until
from Emma, the eldest. to wee bit
Mabel. our darling little three year old w
could sing anything We ever heard
To night LONE presided at tie organ
With Emma beside her, and Arthur and
| Wiil at either hand, while Mabel was nest
ling IN Uocle Fispk's arms her fayofite
resting place.
She was darling little pet wi, b ali-th,
youngest Of our large family. aud pecul.
isrly dear. for lovely little ones bad died
| Just before her birth.
| Uacle 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
| re everence aud tear. dimmed eyes.
We sung one after anthoer of our favorite
hymns Rock Of Ages" Winter than
Snow, Ninety aud Nine" etc.. aud at last
Louie played Nearer, My God, the
Thee
All joined IN filling the room with the
weet music OF the dear old hymn.
It'll all my sorn sail be.
Ne'r my Dord 10 zee,
sang dear little Mabel in her clear, sweet
voice and with earnestness 10 her baby.
voiceaud Uncle Frank drew the dear closer
child IN his arms, aud caressed the soft,
flushed cheek.
There was pause sitter the last Nearer
Ny God, to Thee. swelled ont with our
united voices, the twilight was creeping
on. aud q sweet, solemn hush followed,
which was broken at last by Uncle
Frank.
That recalls one OF the sweetest, sad
dest memories of my life he said, gent.
ly.
Oh. tell a tory. Uncle Frank Mabel
cried, climbing to her feet and laying her
arm around his neck, her soft check
against his.
1t was about another Msbel-s little
elder than you are, be SAID, returning her
caresR.
Do please tell US about her, Louie said,
aud We all drew nearer in eager expecsa
lion Of another OF his interesting stories.
1t was one summer night. year or two
ago, be eaid, drawing Mabel to her old
place on his knee. was returning from
Peoria on q train well filled with excur-
siopisis for Nsgsra Falls; we were heavily
loaded, and little behind time. so were
putting on al steam and dashing along
through the darkness at a rapid rate.
Near me were quite large party, who
were very lmerry aud social together Two
of them sat directly in trout Of me "a fine
looking man about 40, and little girl OF
some l2 or 13 years. evidently bis daueh
ter. She was o slender, delicate looking
child, aud her face attracted nue. strongly;
Il seemed n Il ,ction Of itself. II was 80
sweet aud lovable in expression. ln the
mirror at the front OF the car. just little
ahead OF us, could sec them distinctly, |
and could not help watching. with grow
ing interest, the lovely face OF the child.
She had removed her bat, and ber head.
with its mass of soft, wavy, brown hair,
lay sgains, her fathers arm, while her eyes
Of cesrest.:: deepest heal we're raised at
frequent intervals to his face With look
Of devoted love.
The faces Of both seemed familiar. yet
| could not at first recall where had seen
hem. At last 1t came to me he was q
physician from neigbboring town, who
Dad attended your Aunt Mabel IN slight
own a few years before, and the little girl
accompanied him on one Of 0is visits. !
lad occasion to call your amt by ber
lsme. aud tue doctor. looking with a smile
sii bus hand sfiectionstrly on the head
II his child. saying: This is my Mabel.
recalled bearing at the time that the
mother OF the little girl was dead. and so
devoted were the doctor aud his child TO
scb other that they were never separst
d except from absolute necessity.
observed them With renewed interest
iter recalling this and noticed all the ten
Ter solitude for ber comfort on the part OF |
he istber and the conhiing devoted love
I the child.
Az the boar grew late. and some OF the /
sny began 10 nod YEARLY. some one .
truck up . familiar hvmn, thsir voices Z
lied tbs car. and III frightened up un I
er the iGnnence oi the music. Hytnn af {
er hymn wss suug, until there VAS .
suse sfter 'S~eet Beulsh L,ud, aud {
,ined forwsid and ssid. 9
VIII you sing. Nsarrf. My God, TO =
hetf
Oh. eerisiply. with pleasure. the little
istel ssid. turning b me With one OF her
xset. expressive smiles. |, is paps's fsv-
rite. and mla@ also