The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-07-28

came back. There were tears in her eyes
Was it well for him to go:' she hal
asked.
1T was well"
She came a little nearer.
''lou must rest" she said with catcl
in her voice. You have done too much
When YOU have had your breakfast YOU
must 60 to bed and stay there.
| NO he protested. After | have my
breakfast | will be myself again. There
is something to be done. You will need
me. helped to bring you this burden,
mean to stay until-until all is over. Tell
me what TO do"
| As usual he had his way, and two days
later all the arrangements being completed,
brief services were held in the house, and
then the casket was carried by SIX elderly
men, neighbors and fellow churchmen OF
the absent father, down the lane, and
across the field, and little ways up the
sunny hillside where the new made grave
awaited its tenant Ahead of the casket
walked the young pastor and behind it
came the girl. A group of the neighhors
followed and few more OF The church
people, and last OF all walked the tramp
But there was great change in his APP
pearance. Renovated garments and clean
linen and the use Of the razor, had brought
an almost startling improvement in his
looks His ruddy countenance had faded
and his rough hair-he walked bareheaded
had been smoothed and disciplined
When the arrangements We're completed
he had gone to the village two miles away
and there brought about his improvement
When he returned to the farm the ser
vices were about to commence and he
waited on the porch, quite hidden from
those within.
When the casket was set down the peo-
pie drew little farther away. and the
Young pastor uttered a fervent prayer
Then he looked about.
1T Is pittul thing" he slowly said
that none of us knew this man. Even
she who is of the same blood had never
seen HIM till he crossed her fathers TIRES
hold, the threshold he was not to recross
awe. The only person present who knew
aught IN personal way of the departed
Is the stranger who supported his frail
body and soothed his last moments. Per
haps this stranger has message for ms.
a message in which we NAV take comfort
and find hope win you speak to us.
The tramp came forward and stood by
the open grave. He hesitated moment.
IN the face, of this mystery of myster-
r1es, he slowly began, ut would be pre-
sumption Tor me to suggest any lesson in
anis mans HE, to find any moral in his
garnered years. We are not here to pass
Judgment, not here to find moral comfort
we we are here only to say farewell to this
} mat was our brother. | knew him but a
little time. | knew him only as a child
hayward child that had grown weary
with straying. The heart Of the child st;il
nnttered IN that shriveled breast. Think
OF this, friends, when you recall his har.
ren HE. And like the tired child when
me |! ne night is coming on, he longed for home
All those wasted hours were bridped Inv
memory He saw the old scenes, he fell
the OLD love-and he struggled on with
paisled feet. | find comfort in this THOUGHT
! Homeless and friendless. this scared Old
heart still held its childlike love for home
Ana when he passed away there was
! !, upon his face and single word mon
ms ilps. That word was home. God grant
friends, that when We, too, shall be called
away, that smile may light our faces. that
tender cry be on our lps.'' 'Da'
There was little silence. and tbon tho
group ABOUT the grave SLOWLY disnersed
Z save those who were left to perform the
AS the. tramp followed the others tbo
e lFi fell into step beside him. She was
s - u crying and they crossed the field
!, Thank you for that-and for every.
lhlng, she presently murmured
ana they walked on in silence
As they neared the lane the Young man |
,o,a mere re, is a man believe know he |
"iu' ne must have come for me-"