Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-11-28

Crossing the Bar.
By vENA ROSS MORSE.
$yTT

Inc OLD nigh CHEST or drawers with
the snowy towel across the top took
on new lustre as the light struck
IT, and the reds and blues is the
well.worn rag carpet looked sven
brighter than in broad daylight.
Even the raised edges of the iri egu-
lar patch near the bed looked less
foTbidding than usual to the sick
woman as she lay drinking in the last
glories OF the day, Soon the light
faded, leaving in its place soft
sweet dusk, filled with the perfume
OF flowers. the cheerful chlrp-t.hlrp
Of the cricket and the plaintive Fight
call OF the birds In the neighbSring
woodland,
Gazing with unseeing eyes where
the light had touched, Martha went
over her life as she had dole 30
many time before since she had re-
gTetfully, but uncomplainingly, laid
down the burden of home cares. 1t
had now been seven months since she
had left her little room, and for the
last half of that time, she had been
confined to her bed. The nature Of
her disease the country doctors did
not know, so she lay patiently wait
ing for the end.
Abram, her faithful companion fur
fifty years, cared for her as tenderIy
as devoted, clumsy old man could.
but helped by visit from one or an
other of their kind neighbors every
day.
"Marthy likes my cruel and toast"
he would say with smile of salts
faction, as broth, jellies and fruits
were donated by willing friends, who
sought to tempt Martha's appetite.
And she did like the cruel and toast
and his companionship, also. And
her sweet, faded face would light up
with love and trust as Abram en-
tered with feeble steps, steadying
the tray with its cup of tea and plate
OF toast. How many times he had
waited upon her and never word
of complaint, but always that kindly
smile and the solicitous Feel better,
Marthy?" or How, now, Marthy?"
1t was for Abram that Martha was
content to linger and suffer, for was
not there yet chance that he would
heed his Masters voice and believe
as she had believed since the early
days of their courtship?
Yielding to all else, the old man
steadfastly refused to open his heart
to the pleadings of wife, pastor or
friends. If she could be the means
of bringing him to the fold she felt
as If her life work would be accom-
plished and she would gladly leave
her aching body behind that her tired
spirit might find rest and peace in
her Fathers house.
A sharp twinge caused Ler to
change painfully onto her other side,
and her glance fell upon faded
photograph of her early home. Then
her thoughts flew back to her old
life; the first visits of AbraIn; the
Sunday when in all her bright youth
fulness she joined the church of her
father and mother; the summer day
when she and Abram had promised
those sacred things--till death us do
part; the little house where they had
Degun housekeeping-and then she
drifted into a fitfnl sleep, her lips
still moving end her fingers witch
ing nervously over the patchwork
quilt.
Cautiously Abram entered with the
small hand lamp and placed it care
fully and noiselessly in its accus-
toned place, He saw that Martha
was asleep, and he sank into the
high-backed rocker and studied her
worn face.
He knew as well as she that the
end was drawing near and coon he
would be left alone in the hamble
home that had so long she; tered |
Il EN- both. The tears welled up in
his eyes and ran over his wrinkled |
face, dropping onto his faded vest.
He wiped his sleeves across his face
and sighed. The rocker creaked AS
he moved and the aged wife slowly |
opened her eyes.
Abram rose and deftly arranged l
the usual corner of paper around the
lamp chimney so as to shut off the )
light from Marthas eyes.
"Abram, come up Closer" came
the weak voice, and he wondeiingly
obeyed, as he was already so near
he could touch her pillow.
"Abram, do you remember the
church where we were married."
Yes, Marthy."
and how sweet the roses and |
things smelled and what a lot of |
flowers we had on the pews and in
the vases?"
Yes. Oh, yes!" still wondering. |
And YOU remember when we
came here to keer house and how
happy, how happy we were?" she ran
on weakly.
Il guess do. Marthy. as II twas
yesterday" answered the old man.
And then you remember when
our first baby came-and then left
US before she could say word but
Daddy?"
Abram nodded with tears in his
eyes as she continued.
How we stood over the little
white casket and cried together and
wondered how we should liye?"
yes. Marthy," chokingly.
''Then you know how little Fred
came, and how we loved him-and
about his getting drowned in the
brooke She had been over It so
many times in her mind that she was
quite calm now as she reviewed 1t
again.
Don't. Marthy." sobbed the gray
haired man; II can't bear It,"
sAnd then the twins" she persist
ID; they closed their blessed eyes
before we had hardly learned to
know them"