"Later. My strength fails so fast I must hasten to make of you one last request. Do not gratify me unless you think it best; or, if it will pain you too much. I am near my end, and with my whole heart I yearn over the child I have never seen. Will you bring him to me, and at once, before it is too late?"
The closing sentence was written by his sister. She went on, "Dear Mrs. Wallingford. If you are willing to gratify my poor brother and bring little Paul to his father's death-bed, you will convey one more lasting obligation on hearts that owe you already more than they can express. Our dear, distressed invalid fainted after writing the above; and I have taken it upon myself to forward this to you. He has often since his return told us your motto in regard to him has been, 'Good for evil.' Acting upon this will you not come to Philadelphia at once?"
"Evening. I had written so far, when I was summoned to my brother's bed, where it was thought he was dying. He motioned me to his side, and gasping with every word, he said faintly:"
"'Tell her, if the blessing of an humble penitent is worth any thing, I leave mine for her and our boy. Tell her, Christ has made himself known, the One above all others; matchless in love and grace.—Tell her I shall shine as a star in her crown.—Tell her, Christ is all my salvation and all my desire. If he will save such a sinner as I am, the very chief, there is no need for any to despair of mercy.—Tell her, to go on doing good to all around, and train her little Paul to follow his Saviour's steps. Farewell.'"
"I cannot stop to narrate the paroxysms of pain with which these disjointed sentences were uttered. He has now fallen asleep under the influence of opiates. Our physician still thinks he may survive two or three days longer."
"In the deepest affliction,"
"ANNA D. RIDLEY."
In less than an hour from her receipt of the letter, Gertrude with her boy and accompanied by her faithful Bridget, were on their way to the landing to be in season for the twelve o'clock boat.
If she were prospered she hoped to be in Philadelphia by seven o'clock at latest; and her whole soul went up to God in earnest prayer, that she might be in season.
"Will she come?" This question had been repeated many times during the day; and now as twilight approached it was evident to all, that before the sun, whose rays were gilding the western horizon, should rise again, the soul of the sufferer would have fled away from earth, to his mansion in the skies.