Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-12-12

derness, could not see him perish. He
new how this father might be saved.
Ceiling a swift messenger He said,
"Sreed thee to earth and bring me the
babe"
Good night, papa" sounded from
the stairs. What was there in the
voice? Was ii the echo of the man
date. Bring me the babe?" sill
very, pl7intive sound it was. a liuger-
ing music that touched the fathers
heart as the breeze touches the Aeo-
liam harp.
Good night. my darling" he said,
but grew pale.
"Is Jessie sick, mother? Fer cNee'-s
are flushed and her eyes have a
strange light"
Not sick? oh, hope not" and the
mother stopped to Hiss the flushed
brow. "She NAV have played too much.
Pet S not sicl1?"
Jessie tired, mamma. Good night,
papa. Jessie see you in the morning"
THAT is all. she is only tired" said
the mother. as she took the small hand
with another Hiss. and the father
turned away. But his heart was not
satisfied.
Sweet lullabys were sung, but Jessie
was restless and could not sleep
Tell me a story, mamma" ard the
mother told of the Blessed Babe that
Mary Graded, following along the
story until the child had grown to walk
and play. The blue. wide eyes filled with
strange light, as though she sew ard
comprehended more than the mother
knew.
That night the father did not visit
the saloon. He tossed on his bed start
ing from a feverish sleep and bending
over the crib. as the long weary hours
passed. Morning revealed the truth.
Jessie was smitten with the fever
Keep her Quiet" the doctor said.
"A few DAYS of GOOD nursing and she
VIII be all right"
The words were easily said. but the
father saw look On the sweet face
such as he had never seen before. He
knew the messenger was at the door
Night came: Jessie is sick, can't
say good night, papa" and the little
clesping fingers chung TO the fathers
hand
80 God, spare her. cannot bear il -
was wrung from his suffering heart.
Days passed and the mother was
tireless in watching her babe Graded
in her arms. Her heart was slow to
tale in the truth She did her best
to solace the fathers heart "a light
case. The doctor says Pet will soon
be Well" she said.
Calmly. as one who knows his doom.
the father laid his hand upon the hot
brow. Looked into the eyes, even then
covered with the film of death, and
with all the strength of his manhood
cried. Spare her, o God, spare my
child, and will follow Thee"
With a last painful effort the
parched lips opened and the little one
said, "Jessie's too sick, can't say good
night papa"
In the morning there was convul-
sive shudder and the clasping fingers
relaxed their hold.
The messenger had taken the child.
Months have passed. Jessie's crib
stands by the side of her fathers
couch. Her blue embroidered dress and
white hat hang in his closet. Her
boots with the point of the feet just as
she last wore them. are as sacred in
his eyes as they are in the mothers.
, He thinks of her as not dead. but
merely risen to a higher life, while
sounding down from the upper stairs
, he seems to hear the words. Good
, night, papa; Jessie see you in the
morning words that have been
the means at last of winning to bet
|, ter way one who had shown himself
dead to every former call.-National
Advocate.