Catholic children -- Juvenile fiction; Families -- Juvenile fiction
"Dear Papa, how I love you! You have been such a loving father to me and
Brother, so good to dear Mamma--Forgive my having tried your patience so
often."
"Heart's dearest," answered her father, "you have never caused me a
moment of trouble in all your life."
"Darling Papa you will come to me when Our Lord calls you. I know you
love Him. Father Leonard will show you the true way to reach Heaven; O
promise me you will follow it."
"My angel child," responded the father, "I solemnly promise." His sobs
choked his utterance, but kneeling and taking his child's hand he kissed
it fervently.
Exhausted by her efforts, she lay silent awhile, then turning to Bolax,
she said: "Dear little Brother, never forget the promises you made to
Our Lord the day of your First Holy Communion. Oh, serve Him faithfully
that you may meet me in Paradise.
"Dearest Aunt Lucy, I thank you for all your years of kindness and love;
oh, I know you will be there to rejoice with me.
"And Hetty dear! let me kiss the hand that nursed and tended me so
faithfully."
Hetty's grief was becoming uncontrollable, so she hastened from the room
lest she should unnerve the rest of the family.
Poor old Pat was not forgotten, when called to bid farewell, he managed
to control himself while he knelt asking the dear child's blessing.
Here Reverend Father Leonard entered the room. Mrs. Allen lit the
candles on the little altar at the foot of the bed; all withdrew for a
few moments leaving Amy alone with the Priest.
When the Father was ready to administer the Holy Viaticum, every one
returned to the room, each bearing a lighted candle, knelt in prayer.
After receiving Our Dear Lord, the child's face became radiant; a
heavenly smile lit up her countenance, she murmured: "Jesus, precious
Jesus; how I love Thee! and yet--how unworthy I am!" Here she held out
her hands as if beckoning to some one. "O my beloved! take me to
Thyself! Jes--" The lips ceased their utterance with the sweet name half
spoken. One long-drawn sigh and another angel was added to the
innumerable company of the Blessed. The days that followed Amy's death
were to the household painful in the extreme.
Mr. Allen was overwhelmed with grief. It was useless to try to speak to
him; for two days he shut himself in his room and the Doctor could
scarcely persuade him to take nourishment.
Mrs. Allen was resigned to God's will, although her heart was crushed
with sorrow.
Kind neighbors came offering condolence, indeed the family had the
sympathy of the whole village.
Reverend Mother Gertrude sent a letter by two of her Sisters reminding
Mrs. Allen of Amy's desire to be buried under the Bed of Lilies.
"We are sure now," said the Sisters, "the dear child had a presentment
of her approaching departure from this world, so Reverend Mother begs
you will have the funeral from our Chapel and let the dear one rest
under the Lilies of the Valley."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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