The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-02-23

to wait % second time.
Just one year yet, John" Aunt T'cs-
sic begged. "Lct me feel that have at
least paid my dcht in part" But ut tho
end Of the year she said: "J here is so much
to do, John. Let "s give tho children one
year moro We can spare so much to them.
Just one I promise not TO ask another,
John"
With heavy heart he answered for the
third time, "It shall be as you WISH Ties
sic.
think Aunt Tessie began to feel that
nh unseen lowCr was shaping her life in a
strange, uncoEprehendod mold.
Strange, indeed. Before the year cnded
a sCourge passed over the city. Tue angel
of death hung his black banner on almost
every door. Uncle George was among the
first tn he stricken.
God bless you, Jessie " he said "Dout
forget the children God bless your With
the blessing still on his lips he left US
Then she was glad that she had staid with
him. The sacrifice was fully repaid in
that last blessing
But the next day little Annie laid her
hot cheek against Aunt 1essic's and cried
out that the foser was burning her throat.
For eight days the little life swung in the
balance, but on the ninth she crept into
Aunt Tcssie's arms and whispered, GOOD
Aunten' just once before death set seal
upon the childish lips
Death played upon many heartstrngs,
but none, think, were SO entirely swept
as were Aunt Icssie's. She had scarcely
seen the clay hcaped upon the grave of lit
tie Annie before messenger came for her
John, John, honest, patient John, was dy.
ing. Poor a unit Tessiel The blows fell
SO fast. This was the last. When the
light left John Davis eyes, hope left Aunt
Tessie's heart to follow into and fix itself
upon that unknown land into which his
soul had drifted. "Don't reproacb your
self, y he had said at the last. "Gou did
your duty, Jessie. God bless you"
have borne my burden tolerably with Aunt
Tesse's help She has borne hers grandly
without help.
Without help, did l say? Then l spoke
too quickly, for one evening | found her
sitting alone on the west piazza among the
honoysuckles ard jasmine vines watching
the sombCr clouds piliug across the sunset
or forming into Il purple bridge to span
the crimson colored lakes.
She did not hear my crutch upon the
soft sward, and her voice was scarcely
more than tho hum of the bees in tho yell
low jasmine bells
"No man having put his hand to the
plow and looking hack is fit for the king
| dom of God"
Every step of my life, the olouded and
the Cloudless, has been blessed and bright.
ened by her. She has paid her debt, princi-
pal and interest, and is now herself the
lender, for W hen Uncle Dams vito died ten
years ago fnur others were admitted 20 hci
1. IL l.
May and Richard.
Frank and May have both been in to say
good night since have been lying here
/ thinking about Aunt Tcasie's mistake.
May Rugged her with both arms and said
softly, "Ihc hlossedest best AuntiC,
/ while Frank stood % moment behind hel
! chair and softly strokcd the silver braids
and recuunted the days trials and its
/ pleasures. ~ shall 10 man soon and
take care Of you, Aunt TGssic," was his
/ gond night.
Aunt Iessio roddcd and smiled ana
went to open the door for Robert, rUusini
rs she passed my lounge to draw the Cuy
ers moro closely about my shoulders, Vhil
| l lay there as If asleep. Then for half al
hour she ard Robert sat before the fire
/ while Robert told her everything about Iii
plans.
Then the clock struck 1880 Rober
rose and lighted Aunt Tcssies candle, ant
again the halo seemed to form around til,
silver braids and showed me the smile up
Oh her pale face as Robert bent TO kiss hel
/ faded check.
Now she is gone and it is Robert whit
bends over my pillow and whispers, POO
Clarcncer' as lie draws my covers ever 81
lightly over my chest
And now he, too, is asleep, hut his bee
is so near that can touch him if l choose
A little silver bell is in reach Oh the othe
side
"Tou may want water, dear" Aun
Tessie said when she put the he'll there, II
if did not know what Aunt Tossie fears
1t is the black banner Oh the doorknob.
But | am not thinking of that tonight
am thinking Of Aunt Tessie and think
ing of her life, so fun of promise and 81
barren Of fullllment, and Of my life, SO de
void of promise and yot so full of peace
am thinking, too, of tho lives of the chill
tlren asleep in their beds; of the yOun
man about to enter the world pure of hear
and strong of purpose; Cf the graves O
the two men who blessed Aunt Tossio wit
their last breath; of the dying pillow
made easy by her promises; of the lttl
child who only left the shelter of her arm
to slip away to Gods.
When | remember these, bless "Aun
Tessie's Mistake. "-Cincinnati Post.