Thus one year after another went by in happiness; but no happiness is lasting on this earth. William was to experience this. The first change which brought grief to his heart was the death of his faithful dog. Many years Caesar watched faithfully the old lady’s possessions, but finally grew weaker and weaker in spite of the best care from the hands of his young master. The teeth began to fall out and finally he became blind, and one morning William found him dead in his house. He was not able to keep the tears from his eyes, and we can understand it very well. Had not Caesar been faithful to him when he was in great peril and forsaken by his own brothers, and saved his life twice? He dug a grave for him under an old tree in the garden and buried him as he had deserved it.
But this grief was small compared with what was yet before our young friend. The dear old grandmother, who had meanwhile passed her eighty-fifth year, felt more and more the hardships of old age. But she was still quite strong and able to do the lighter work in the house. All at once she became sick, and a few days afterward she passed away in the arms of her grandson.
The reader can imagine the grief of William. Now he stood a second time in his life all alone. The little cabin and the garden and field were now his, of course; but how lonely and forsaken he felt after putting the mortal remains of the dear old lady into the place of rest in the cemetery of the village! Everywhere he missed the dear grandmother, and could not comfort himself for a long time. For several years he remained single and worked in field and garden. He had little interaction with his neighbors because he found very few like-minded with himself. But at last he felt too lonesome and asked the Lord if it be His will, to give him a God-fearing companion. Not long after he got acquainted with a good girl, who had not so much in earthly goods, as rather a rich treasure of love and faithfulness, and a heart devoted to the Lord.
William asked her if she would become his wife and live with him in the little cabin near the forest. She consented, and a few months afterward the young woman entered her new home. Who was happier than William? Now he was alone no more; a faithful and God-fearing wife stood now at his side to share with him the joys and sorrows of life.
The Lord was with the young couple and blessed the labors of their hands; in the course of time He gave them several children too, whom William endeavored to train like his own grandmother had trained him; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
We could close our story now, but the young readers doubtless would like to hear something about William’s brothers, what became of them, and whether they ever repented of their wicked lives and evil deeds. Gladly we will satisfy your curiosity, so much the more as the grace of God overtook even these great sinners, and thus the many fervent prayers of their father and grandmother were answered.