The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-04-02
aOvER THERE"
Rs-MARGARET E. SANcSTER
AN EASTER MESSAGE

It was rather long ferry, and the
boat forged steadily onward against
the tide. On the forward deck close
to the chain stood a lady in deepest
mourning, carrying in her hands
splendid sheaf of American Beauty
roses. Their glorious color and sweet
perfume, their long stems reaching
nearly to the hem Of her dress, and
their lavish number made her con-
spicuous object to her fellow passen-
gers. MY they must have cost
fortune!" exclaimed thinly clad
young girl who stood little distance
off, admiring the magnificent bloom,
and secretly wishing that she hao
only one such rose to carry with her
to the bedside of sick mother. The
hopeless detection in the lady's race
touched all who saw her with swift
sympathy, for she looked as il she
had lost everything she cared for,
and as if she could never be COM
forted again. The contrast between
her pallid countenance and the SUI
perb flowers in her arms was not
more marked than that between her
and workingman who stood little
way off in a shabby, almost thread
bare garments, wearing something of
the same look of absorption that was
evident in the brooding face of the
lady.
He, too, had his tribute ofsf1owers,
f,,1 - !, n
ried in large tin pail filled with
water. Yet the mans look was that
of one who had somehow passed
through sorrow and come out on its
other side, having gained the victory
through faith, while the woman
was that of one who as yet had seen
no stars shining through her cy-
presses.
The wind blew fresh and chill, al
though it was an April day. and just
before Easter. The lady drew her
wrap little closer and shivered. The
boat was approaching the dock. The
man stepped to the lady's side, and,
lifting his cap, said gently, Pardon
me, madam, for intruding, but see
we are going to the same place, to
the cemetery, with our flowers. Mine
were brought me by sailor friend.
am too poor to buy them. Yours
have cost much gold, but we both
know the meaning of loss and pain,
and hope we both know the message
of the flowers; they mean that there
is life beyond, and that we shall see
them, the dear ones, safe at home by
and by"
The lady thanked him, and they
stepped from the boat to the pave
ment. A carriage was in waiting for
her, but the man walked Presently
she stopped the carriage and waited
FOR him, inviting him to a seat by her
side Abruptly she spoke: "You be-
lieve that we shall find our lost ones
again?"
Eyes," he said, simply, 81 believe
every word that Jesus ever said, and
He said, In My Fathers house are
many mansions Ny little Mildred
is waiting for me over there. She is
just as much mine as her sister at
home, only one is pale and suffering
and cannot sleep at night and may
never walk again, while the other is
full of health and strength and beau
ty in the homeland"
"Ten weeks ago. the lady replied,
II was the mother of an only son. He
was everything that mothers heart
could wish, an athlete in body and
mind. He filled my life with pride
and joy. He was taken mysteriously
i'll, and in three days he was gone
My husband is dead, and l have no
other child. l cannot see an inch be-
yond the grave where they laid him.
cannot think of my Harold sitting
still with golden harp and resting
forever. He was not tired, he did
not need rest, he had life before him,
and death snatched him away"
Eyes" answered the new friend, as
the horses walked slowly up the hill
and then passed through the cemetery
gate into the beautiful God's-acre
where so many sleepers lay peace
fully beneath the grass and flowers
''Yes, can understand, but don't you
know the word in Revelation where
1t says that His servants shall serve