Aunt Chloe

I remember, well remember, That dark and dreadful day, When they whispered to me, “Chloe, Your children’s sold away!”

It seemed as if a bullet Had shot me through and through, And I felt as if my heart-strings Was breaking right in two.

And I says to cousin Milly, “There must be some mistake; Where’s Mistus?” “In the great house crying— Crying like her heart would break.

“And the lawyer’s there with Mistus; Says he’s come to ’ministrate, ’Cause when master died he just left Heap of debt on the estate.

“And I thought ’twould do you good To bid your boys good-bye— To kiss them both and shake their hands, And have a hearty cry.

“Oh! Chloe, I knows how you feel, ’Cause I’se been through it all; I thought my poor old heart would break, When master sold my Saul.”

Just then I heard the footsteps Of my children at the door, And I rose right up to meet them, But I fell upon the floor.

And I heard poor Jakey saying, “Oh, mammy, don’t you cry!” And I felt my children kiss me And bid me, both, good-bye.

Then I had a mighty sorrow, Though I nursed it all alone; But I wasted to a shadow, And turned to skin and bone.

But one day dear Uncle Jacob (In heaven he’s now a saint) Said, “Your poor heart is in the fire, But child you must not faint.”

Then I said to Uncle Jacob, If I was good like you, When the heavy trouble dashed me I’d know just what to do.

Then he said to me, “Poor Chloe, The way is open wide:” And he told me of the Saviour, And the fountain in His side.

Then he said “Just take your burden To the blessed Master’s feet; I takes all my troubles, Chloe, Right unto the mercy-seat.”

His words waked up my courage, And I began to pray, And I felt my heavy burden Rolling like a stone away.

And a something seemed to tell me, You will see your boys again— And that hope was like a poultice Spread upon a dreadful pain.

And it often seemed to whisper, Chloe, trust and never fear; You’ll get justice in the kingdom, If you do not get it here.