p. 12 | LOVING TOO LATE by Amelia E. Barr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 31, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 43.

LOVING TOO LATE.

By Amelia E. Barr

Not long ago I met a young lady in poverty whom I had previously known in wealth, and this was, in substance, the story she told me: “Father died suddenly in Washington, and the professional skill through which he had coined money for us died with him. I am not weeping because we are poor. I am broken-hearted because none of us saw that he was dying. Was it not pitiful that he should think it best not to tell any of us that he was sick? And I, his petted daughter, though I knew he was taking opium to soothe his great pain, was so absorbed by my lovers, my games, and my dresses, that I just hoped it would all come out right. If I could only remember that even once I had pitied his suffering or felt anxious about his life, I might bear his loss better!”

The story is common enough. Many a father, year after year, goes in and out of his home carrying the burden and doing the labor of life, while those whom he tenderly loves hold with but careless hands all of honor and gold he wins by toil and pain. Then some day his head and hands can work no more. And the hearts that have not learned the great lesson of unselfish love while love was their teacher, must now begin their sad duty when love has left them alone forever.—Amelia E. Barr.