Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-05-19
Sunny Bank Farm
FLOYD LIVINGSTON


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where for hours they lay, bemoaning the
fate which had brought them there. and
trembling as they thought of the proba-
bic result
On Mrs. Lansing's mind there was a
heavy load, and once, when the cold
perspiration stood thickIy upon her face,
she ordered Jessie and Dinah from the
room, while she confessed to Ada the sin
OF which she had been guilty in deceiving
both her brother and Rosa.
1T was a wicked falsehood,' said She
and If you survive me, you must tell
them so-will you?'
Ada nodded in token that she would:
and then, thinking how her own con-
science might be made easier by SINH
lar confession, she told how she had
thought to injure Rosa in Mr.. Delaficld's
estimation. This done, the two ladies
felt greatly relieved: and as the cholera
III their case had been induced mostly by
fear. it began ere long to yield to the
efficient treatment of Dinah who to her
housekeeping qualities added that IF be-
ing skillful nurse. Toward morning
they were pronounced decidedly better,
and as Jessie was asleep and Dinah rod
ding in her chair, hrs. Lansing lifted
her head from her pillow, saying to Ada,
If you please, you needn't tell what |
told you last night, when l thought |
was going to diel''
Ada promised to be silent, and after
winning similar promise from Mrs.
Lansing, they both fell asleep, nor woke
again until the sun was high up in the
heavens. So much for a sick-bed repent
ance!
That day was hotter and more sultry
than any which had preceded it; and
about the middle of the afternoon little
Jessie came TO Dinah's side. and laying
her head upon her lap, complained of
being both cold and tired. Blankets
were wrapped round her. but they
brought her no warmth, for her blood
was chilled by approaching death, and
when at dusk the negroes asked why she
came not among them, they were told
that she was dying! With streaming eyes
they fell upon their knees, and from
those humble cabins there went up many
fervent prayer for God to spare the
child. But it could not be; she nas
wanted in heaven; and when old Uncle
Abel, who had also been i'll, crept on his
hands and knees to her bedside, calling
upon her name, she did not know him.
for Inconsistencies was upon her, end
in infinite mercy she was spared the pain
usually attendant upon the disease.
Almost bereft of reason and powerless
to act, Mrs. Lansing sat by her child.
whose life was East ebbing away. In a
short tine all the negroes, who were
able. lad come TO the house, their dark
faces stained with tears and expressive
of the utmost concern. as they looked
upon the little girl who lay so white
and still, w.t. her fair hair floating over
the pillow and her waxen hands folded
upon her bosom.
Sing to me. Uncle Dick" she said. at
last. Sing of the happy land not far
away" but Uncle Dick was not there
and they who watched her were too much
overcome with grief to heed her request
Slowly the hours wore on, and the
spirit was almost home, when again she
murmured: Sing of the happy land"
and as if in answer to her prayer, the
breeze. which all the day long had been
hushed and still. now sighed mournfulIy
through the trees, while hooking bird
in the distance struck up his evening lay
and amid the gushing melody of that
wondrous bird of song and the soft
breathing notes of the whispering pines
little Jessie passed to the happy land"
which to those who watched the going
out of her short life seemed indeed mot
far away" With bitter cry the be-
reaved mother fell upon her face and
wept aloud. saying, in her heart, why
have l thus been dealt with?"
In the distance was heard the sound
of horses feet, and ere long her brother
was with her. weeping as only strong
men weep over the lifeless form which
returned him no answering caress. She
had been his idol.
Jessie is gone, Rosa is going, and l
shall be left alone he thought what
have l done to deserve a chastisemant
like thisy''
Soon, however, he grew calmer, hnd
saying, 1T is WELL" he tenderly kissed
the lips and brow of the beautiful child,
who seemed TO smile on him even in
death; then going out among his people,
he comforted them as best he could, drop
ping more than one tear to the memory
of those who were dead, and who mum
hered eight in all. At a short distance
from the house was a tall cypress where
Jessie had often sported. and where now
play house, built by her hands but a
few days before. There. by the light of
and when the sun was up. its rays fell
upon the pile of earth which hid from
view the sunny face and soft blue eyes
of Jessie, the Angel of The Pines