“Is it you, Daph!” they said, as, little less moved than herself, they raised her from her humble position.
“Ise got ’em! Ise got ’em!” she exclaimed. “De childen! Dey’s safe! Ise got ’em! De Lord be praised!”
Who can tell the throb of joy that shook that mother’s heart, or the deep emotion that filled the eyes of the strong man with gushing tears!
They needed not to tell Daph to lead the way to their treasures. On she sped through street and lane, followed by hurrying footsteps and beating hearts.
The small house with the blue shutters was reached, the threshold was crossed! A moment the mother paused, as if to gather strength for the meeting, and then the door was thrown open.
In that simple, neat room, sat the fair Louise, her bit of sewing in her hand, while beside her Charlie bent over the book he was reading aloud to his sister.
The wondering children were clasped in their mother’s arms, and received their father’s loving embrace; while Daph, almost wild with joy, kept repeating, “You’s no more lone orphans, with only poor old Daph to mind you! De Lord be praised! Daph’s work is done. She be ready to go now, when it pleases de Lord Jesus!”
How those parents rejoiced to have their lost ones restored, sound in health, and bearing every evidence of having been trained to habits of neatness, and nurtured in delicacy and refinement! This was joy, indeed; but who shall describe the gladness of the mother when she found her children speaking of the Saviour as a familiar friend, and bearing, however faintly, his image in their hearts! Such joy angels know, when they welcome at the gate of heaven the weary pilgrim of earth, and usher him into the eternal home of the Father!
Daph listened with wondering eyes and grateful heart to the story of their escape, whom she had so long mourned, and whose place she had so striven to fill.
The coachman, who was pledged to murder his master and mistress, relented, and resolved to save them from the ruin with which they were threatened.