Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-08-25
A Last Hymn.

the first time in so many years that
none but we older children could re-
member when he was with US last.
But it took only short time for the
little ones to become acquainted. All
were charmed by his interesting sto-
ries, his kindly, genial manner, and
hearty participation in their amuse
ments.
The week after his arrival had been
a constant succession of pleasant sur
prises, for each day developed some
new power of entertainment in our
favorite uncle.
When Sunday came we had shown
off our fine-looking relatives at church
with very evident delight, had listen
ed to his very interesting remarks be-
fore the Sunday school, and then, af-
ter our early supper, had gathered
around the organ in the parlor to try
and entertain him in return, and,pos-
sibly, to exhibit our proficiency in
music with very innocent pride.
We had inherited good voices from
our father, who had taken great pride
and pleasure in our musical training,
until, from Emma, the eldest,to "wee
Bit Mabel, our darling little three
vear-old, we could sing anything we
ever heard.
To night Louie presided at the or
gan, with Emma beside her, and Ar
thur and Will at either hand, while
Mabel was nesting 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 attach
ed to her, for she bore the name of
the beloved wife he had lost several
wears before, and of whom he never
spoke save with tender reverence and
tear dimmed eyes.
We sung one after another of our
favorite hymns, Crock of Ages"
"Whiter than Snow "Ninety and
Nine" etc., and at last Louie played
ssNearer, My God, to Thee
All joined in filling the room with
the sweet music of the dear old hymn.
sTill all my sorn sail be,
Meier my Dord to 'ee,'
sang dear little Mabel in her clear,
sweet voice, and with earnestness in
her baby face, and Uncle Frank drew
the dear child closer in his arms, and
caressed the soft, flushed cheek.
There was pause after the last
ssNearer, My God, to Thee" swelled
out with our united voices; the twi-
light was creeping on, and a sweet,
solemn hush followed, which was
broken at last by Uncle Frank.
"That recalls one of the sweetest,
saddest memories of my life," he
said, gently.
"Oh, tell a tory, Uncle Frank y
Mabel cried, climbing to her feet and
laying her arm around his neck, her
soft cheek against his.
cit was about another Mabel-a
little older than you are" he said,
returning her caress.
ssDo please tell us about her," Lou
said, and we all drew nearer in ca
ger expectation of another of his in
teresting stories.
sit was one summer night, year
or two ago." he said, drawing Mabel
to her old place on his knee. 81 was
returning from Peoria on train well
filed with excursiopists for Niagara
Falls; we were heavily loaded, and a
little behind time, SO were putting on
all steam and dashing along through
the darkness at rapid rate.
"Near me were quite large party
who were very merry and social to-
gether. Two of them sat directly in
front of me-a fne-looking man about
40, and a little girl of some IL or Ia
years, evidently his daughter. She
was q slender, delicate-looking child,
and her face attracted me strongly
it seemed reflection of itself, it was
so sweet and lovable in expression
In the mirror at the front of the car
lust a little ahead of US, l could see
them distinctly, and could not helE
watching, with growing interest, the
lovely face of the child. She had re-
moved her hat, and her head, with til
mass of soft, wavy, brown hair, lay
against her fathers arm, while hel
eyes Of clearest, deepest hazel were
raised at frequent intervals to hi:
face with look of devoted love.
? ssThe face of both seemed famil
lar, yet I could not at first recall
where [ had seen them. At last /
came to me-he was physician from
neighboring town, who had attend
ed your Aunt Mabel in slight i'll
ness when we were visiting in hi
town few years before, and the lit
e tie girl accompanied him on one o
r his visits. 1 had occasion to cal
your aunt by her name, and the doc
f tor, looking up with smile, laid hi
} hand affectionately on the head of hi
child, saying: This is my Mabel
I recalled hearing at the time tina
the mother of the little girl was dead
and SO devoted were the doctor ant
his child to each other they were new
er separated except from absolute ne