ke all the family. They
ran to her father's bed, and there she heard them say to each other
that he was dead. Abandoning herself to her grief, she threw herself
upon her father's body, embraced it, and wept passionately.

"Oh, my father, my good father," said she, "how shall I discharge all
my obligations to you? Alas, I cannot now. I can only thank you for all
the words, for all good advice I received from your dear lips, now
sealed in death. Your hand, which is now cold and stiff, I kiss with
gratitude, and remember that that hand has bestowed upon me many
benefits, and has all my life laboured for my good. Oh, if I could at
this moment follow you into the heavenly kingdom, how gladly would I do
so. Oh, let me die the death of the righteous. My only consolation now
is that I shall one day enter upon the happiness and everlasting life
of heaven."

During this heart-rending scene the farmer's family had been much
affected. At last they prevailed upon Mary to lie down and rest, hoping
that sleep would ease her grief. During the following day nothing would
induce her to leave her father's body. Before the coffin lid was nailed
down, Mary took one more look at her father. "Alas," said she, "it is
the last time that I shall ever look upon your dear face! How beautiful
it was when you smiled, and it shone with the glory into which you were
so shortly to enter. Farewell, farewell, my father," said she, sobbing
aloud, "may your body rest peacefully in the earth now, while angels of
God are, as I hope, bearing your soul to eternal rest."

When the funeral took place, Mary, dressed in mourning which one of the
girls of the village had kindly given her, followed close to the body
of her father. She was as pale as death, and every one pitied the poor
girl who now was without a relative in the world. As Mary's father was
a stranger at Erlenbrunn, they dug a grave for him in a corner of the
cemetery beside the wall. Two large pine trees shaded the humble grave.
The minister who had attended James during his illness spoke of James's
patience and of the resignation with which he had borne all his
misfortunes, and the good example he had set for those who knew him.
With tender words he consoled Mary, who was overwhelmed with grief. In
the name of her father, the minister thanked the farmer and his wife
for all their kindness to Mary and her father. He begged of them to be
father and mother to her who had no longer any parents.