PART 4
Towards evening William’s brothers came home, bringing a deer with them which they had shot, also they had a jug of brandy. After making a hot fire, they roasted a portion of the venison and partook of it, and, also, freely of the brandy. They did not look at their dying father, but asked William to eat with them. Nothing could induce the boy to leave his father, and he remained at his bedside till he could keep his eyes open no longer and fell asleep.
When he awoke early in the morning, his first look was towards his father at his side. He was lying so quietly, that William dared not stir for a long time. At last he whispered, “Father!”
There was no answer. While William slept, his father went to sleep, never to waken again on this earth. He had gone to be forever with his Lord.
When the truth of this came to the little fellow, he cast himself on the bed, crying most bitterly. William’s crying awakened his brothers who were sleeping in the next room. They came and looked at their father without one expression of sorrow, and no tears came from their eyes; their hearts were untouched. They conferred together about what to do with the corpse—whether to let it lie a day, or bury it right away. They concluded to bury it the same day, and with the most heartless indifference, they made preparations to commit the mortal remains of their father to the grave. After filling it, they put a few grass sods on the top, and went back to the cabin, as if nothing had happened.
William remained at the grave, crying and lamenting.
He felt so forsaken and lonely. What should become of him now? He could expect nothing good from his brothers, but rather ‘feared the worst. His only friend on earth that never left him, and even now was at his feet, was his faithful dog. Overcome with grief, he threw his arms around the neck of the creature, and, as though he understood the difficulties of his young master, began to whine, and lick the face of the little boy. But was William really altogether forsaken?
Did he not know a truer and mightier Friend than even his father had been to him? The thought of this Friend in heaven, suddenly brought him to himself again, and kneeling down he asked the Lord Jesus in simple, childlike manner to help him, and show him what he should do now.
ML 01/29/1939