The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-04-01
HER EASTER ANTHEM
BY NElRS-GM -GMITuSON.
copyright, 1886, by the Author J

(Copy-ish., 1896, by the Author.l
Jeanne Marie leaned against the door
II the church and wcpt.
Jeanne Mario had been u pretty little
'yoman. Her people were Gascons, but
he ard her husband TCnta lived in q
plain white painted house on the road
hide near the city limits CT New Orleans.
rEey were happily married, for their
choice was due to love, and is there
ANYTHING else in this world that brings
more happiness? II there is, neither
Jcanno Mario nor Tonta knew CT it.
But soon they had great sorrow, and
1t drew them closer together than all
:hcir happiness.
Il came about in this way: They had
a child, beautiful boy, and when he
was scarcely years cid be died. Then
there came another one, weak, tiny
babe, to Gll the dead ones place. But
he was deiormed. His hands were shriv-
aled and twisted. They were dreadful
10 look at. People said this was due to
The mothers ceaseless grieving for her
frstborn, and tho surgeons tried their
pest to remedy the matter, all in vain.
Yet tho child lived and thrived, and
the mother hated God for having taken
Ger perfect boy and given her this one.
Tonta was more patient. He suffered
meekly. Sometimes he tried to comfort
his wife. "Jeanne Marie" he whisper
ed, "God is good, though his ways are
beyond our understanding. Be sure this
child will be blessing to Us yet.
But the little woman was hard. She
would not bo comforted. "God is not
good or just" she said. "Look at those
hands! Why should my other boy be
taken from me and this wretched crea-
ture sent instead:'
Il love him all tho moro for his mis-
fortune" said the father. dearest,
have pity cn your own flesh and blood. y
She laughed in q satirical and un-
motherly way.
"He can never work; he cannot earn
his living. We shall have to support
him all his life," she said.
When the boy was old enough to un-
derstand, he soon found out that his
mother did not love him. One day he
begged her not to be SO angry with him,
hut she paid no heed to his fearful
words. When lie tried to use his clumsy
fingers, she exclaimed bitterly:
"You are no child Of mine. My child
is dead. Ho was not manned like you.
Go away. You do not belong to me"
Ore night the boy sobbed himself to
sleep The next morning he kissed his
father lovingly, as usual, then crept ont
of the house. There were dark circles
round his eyes as he hurried away, not
knowing where to so. He did not come
home, and when after a few days his
father went to look for him he could not
be found.
81 am glad he is gone," said Jeanne
Marie to herself, but she was very kind
and gentle to her husband because be
was SO grievcd.
Years passed, and Jeanne Marie was
widow. She lived alone, unloved and
dcsolate. 1t night she lay awake and
thought of her lost ones, her husband
and her child. But it was always the
first born, not the second.
Ard the poor outcast whom she had
forgotten was living with 4 good wom-
al who had pitied him and taken him
to her home.
Jeanne Marie had gore to church every
Sunday morning since her husband
death. But it was merely habit. She
never prayed; the preachers words had
no meaning for her, and to the singing
of the choir and people her ears were
deaf. Her heart seemed turned to stone.
One Easter morning tho widow knelt
in her usual place in church, her eyes
fixed absently upon tho altar where the
tall candles burned brightly and white
flowers shed q soft fragrance.
Jeanne Marie saw nothing. Her
thoughts were wandering. But gradual
ly sense of peaceful joy crept over her,
and harpin6:s, so long stranger to her,
filed her ycnl She knelt motionless as
if ent-arced, giving herself up to the
new sencat;Gn, though she knew not
whence it came. Slowly at last she real
ICED that she vas in the church and that
voice il the chc;r was singing the
Easter hymn, t2rcr voice, sweet, high
aud clear as al angels.
"ResuIrexit sicut dixit!' ("He has
risen as he said he is risen-hallelui"h !"
sang the voice, pouring forth triumphant
H." ";;::ii;:,,::