A Long, Long Journey.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2012, 30 May 1885, Page 6 (Supplement)

A Long, Long Journey.

Wiifn tho doctor came down Btairs from the sick rooni of Mid. Marshall the whole family seemed to have arranged themselves Jn the hall to wayky him. " How soon will mainiaa dife wall ? " asked little Clyde, tho baby. " Can mamma ooraa down stair 3 next week?" asked Katy, the eldeat daughter and the little housekeeper. "Do you find my wifo much better?" a^ked Mr. MaishaU eagerly. He was a tall, grave man, palo with unxiety and nights of watching. The doctor did not smile ; he did not- even stop to answer their questions. 11 1 am in a great hurry," he said as ho took'his hat ; " I must go to a patient who is dangerously ill. This evening I will call again. I have loft instructions v/ith the nurse." But the nursa'g instructions were all concorning the comfort of the patient ; she was professionally discreet and silent. The children playing on the stairs were told to make no noise. The gloomy day wore on, and tho patient slept and was not disturbed. But that night before they went to bed they wera allowed to go iv and kiss their mother goodnight. This privilege had been denied them lately, and their little hearts responded with joy to tho invitation. Maramn was better or she could net see them. The doctor had cured her. They would lovo him for it all their lives ! She was very pals, but smiling, and her first words to them were : " I am going on a journey 1 " " A journey," cried the children. " Will you take us with you ? " "No; it is a long, long journey." " Mamma is going to the South," said Katy, " the doctor has ordered her to. She will get well in the orange groves in Florida." , •' lam going to a far distant oountry, more beautiful than even the lovely South," said tho mother, faintly, " and I will not come baok.'' " You are going alone, mamma I " asked Katy. . " No," eaid the mother, in a low, sweet voice, "I am not going alone. My physician goes with me. Kiss me good bye, my dear ones, for in the morning before you are awake I shall be gone. You will all come to me when you aie mad 3 ready, but each must make the journey alone." In tho morning she was gone. When the children awoke their father told them of the beautiful country at which she had safely arrived while they slept. " How did she go 1 Who came for her ' " they asked amid their tears. " The chariot of I3racl and the horseman thereof I " their father told them solemnly. People wonder at the pcaoe and happiness expressed in tho faces of these motherless children ; when ssked about their mother they say, " Sho has gone on a journey," and every night and morning they read in her guide book of that land where she now lives, who3e inhabitants shall, no more say I am sick, and where God himself shall wipe all tears from their eyes'. — Mra. M. L. Itayna, in the Detroit Free Press.