Over the Other Side.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue IX, 30 August 1902, Page 569

Over the Other Side.

“My dear! those are too heavy for you!” exclaimed Phyllis’ mother, springing up. “Oh, no, they’re not—at least—l can—carry them!” answered Phyllis, panting. Then, as her mother took the basin from her, she went on, “I’ve been helping Ford pick the plums, and he says he b’lieves some of them would do Artie good, so I’ve brought all these in, aren’t they Beauties?” “They are, indeed,” said her mother, hesitating slightly, which Phyllis detected in a moment and looked up questioningly. “I am afraid Artie is too ill, dear,” said her mother, gently. “Poor Artie!” said Phyllis, pityingly. “Here I have been having apples and pears and all sorts of good things, and Artie has to lie still and bear all that pain! I wish he hadn’t.” Her face had sobered down from its eager delight into a very grave little face now. She nestled up against her mother’s shoulder, and looked at the plums long and thoughtfully. “I wonder why he has such pain?” she said at length. “I do not know, dear, except that when God allows things to happen to us that we don’t like, He will turn the tiresome things and the hurting things into blessing.” “Blessing!” echoed Phyllis, “what • does that mean?” For answer her mother took her on her knee and folded her arms round .her, “Do you remember when we were at the seaside in the middle of the summer?” “Why, yes!” exclaimed Phyllis. “Do you remember that day that we all went a long walk up a hill to see a lovely view there was. Phyllis nodded. “And how tired we all were, and how you cried and asked to go back just as we got near the top?” Phyllis smiled. “Yes —I’m glad father ’suaded me not. But my legs ached so. and I was so thirsty and so ” “I know; we all were. And then do you remember how father said it would be worth it all if we went on? and how at last we came to the top, and there was the most glorious view that T ever saw? and just beneath, only a little way down was a cottage where father had arranged for a lovely tea and strawberries and cream to refresh us? Do you remember?” Yes, Phyllis remembered. “Well!” she questioned, for she was sure there was more. There generally was of her mother’s gentle little stories. Some hidden thought, which was like the kernel inside the nut. “Well! that seems to me a little

picture of what illness and pain and disappointments are here. They are like climbing to see the glorious view, and to eat Our Father’s feast; unless we are willing to walk in His path and follow His footsteps, we cannot see the full glory or taste the extra sweetness that He prepares for his loved ones!” Phyllis’ head nestled closer to her mother’s neck.

“But I’m so sorry’ for Artie!” she said, brokenly.

“Oh, so am I—now,” said their mother, a little brokenly too; “but, Phyllis, do you remember how father carried you the last bit of the rough way?” “Yes?” questioned Phyllis,

“We can ask Jesus, the good Shepherd. to carry Artie a little way’ today—to ease his pain—to help him

to bear it—and Jesus will, Phyllis. Heaps of times I've found it so; and when I think of His love I know He knows best—even for Artie.”

“Look, mamma!” exclaimed little Mabel, when she saw a snake for the first time. "See the tail with a head on one end!”