Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-18
The Mother in Paradise.

Eugene Field in Chicago Record
A Mother came to the gateway of heaven.
She was aged and weary. Her body was
bowed and her face was wrinkled and with
cred. for her burden had been the burden
of care and trouble and sorrow. So she
was glad to be done with life and to seek
at the gateway of heaven the fulfillment
Of the Promise that had been her solace
through all the hard, bitter years.
An angel met the Mother at the gateway
and put her arms about the dropping fig
ure and spoke gracious. tender words.
Whom seekest thou?" asked The angel
Il seek my dear ones who came hither
before me-" answered the Mother. They
are very many-my father, my mother, my
husband, my children-they all are here to-
gether. and for many and weary years I
have lived in my loneliness with 20 other
thing to cheer me but the thought that I
should follow them in good time"
Yes, they are here and they await thee
said the angel. Lean upon me, dear
Mother, and l will lead thee to them"
Then the angel led the way through the
garden OF paradise and the angel and the
Mother talked as they walked together.
Il am not weary now" said the Mother,
and my heart is not troubled
1t is the grace of heaven that restoreth
thee. dear Mother" quoth the angel.
Presently thou shalt be filled with the
rev life and thou shalt he young again,
and thou shalt sing with rapture and Thy
soul shall know the endless ecstasy Of
heaven"
ALIAS. 1 care not to be young again."
saith the Mother. 81 care only to find and
to be forever with my beloved ones"
As they journeyed on their way a COM
pany came to meet them. Then the Mother
saw and knew her dear ones-even though
the heavenly life had glorifcd their coun-
tenanceS the Mother knew them, and she
ran to greet them and there was great
joy to ner and to them. Meanwhile the
angel kept steadfastly at her side.
Now the Mother, when she had embraced
her dear ones. looked at each of them
separately once more, and then she said:
'Ye are indeed my beloved-Iny mo; her,
my father, my husband and my children!
But there is one who should be of your
company whom / do not see-my babe
my little helpless babe that came hither
alone so many, many years ago. My heart
fainteth, my breast yearneth for that dear
little lamb of minei Come, let us 60 to-
gether and search for her, or await me
here under these pleasant trees while
search and call in this fair garden for my
dear. lost little baber'
The others answered never a word. But
the angel said: Il will go with thee,
Mother. and together We shall find thy
child
As they went on their way the ange.
said Shall I tell thee of myself? For
was a little helpless babe when 1 came
hither to this fair garden and into this
heavenly life
"Perchance thou knowest her, my prec-
ious lambkin!' cried the Mother.
Il was a babe when l came hither," said
the angel. See how I am grown, and
what happiness hath been mine, The conf
passion of divinity hath protected and fos-
tered me and hath led me all these years
in the peace that passeth all human I'M
derstanding. God hath instructed me in
wisdom, and He shall instruct thee, too
for all who come hitaer are as children in
His sight, and they shall grow in wisdom
and in grace eternally."
But my babe-my own lost little one
whom 1 have not held in these arms for
so many weary years-snall she not still
he my little babe, and shall / not cradle
her in my bosom?" asked the Mother.
Thy child shall be restored to thee"
said the angel, 'for she yearneth for thee
even as thou yearnest for her. Only with
this difference, dear Mother: Thy child
hath known, in the grace of heavenly
wisdom, that at the last thy earthly sorrow
should be rewarded nth the joys of the
endless reunion in paradise!
Then she hath Thought of me and long
ed for me to Gomez cried The Mother.
And my lost babe shall be restored and
shall know her mother again.
"Ay, she loveth thee fondly," said the
angel, land she hath awaited thy coming,
10, these many years. Presently thine eyes
shall be opened and thou shalt see her
standing before thee in her heavenly raj
x.-li thar, nd oil, I.r