236 THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW, 



THE SAD DEATH OF SWEET LITTLE FEKN. 



Five years ago this very day (August 31) 

 there came to our home the sweetest, bright- 

 est little girl baby that I ever knew. How 

 she gladdened our hearts as day by day she 

 unfolded like the human blossom that she 

 was. Happiness deeper or sweeter than I 

 have enjojed with her no mortal ever knew. 

 Now the little form is laid away, with the 

 roses and ferns that she loved so well twined 

 about her; and over us all hangs the awful 

 sorrow that she died by her own mother's 

 hand. 



Most of the friends of the Review know 

 that for nearly two years Mrs. Hutchinson 

 has been ailing mentally, all of last winter 

 being passed in the asylum. She was so 

 much improved, but so home-sick last 

 spring that the superintendent and myself 

 believed that she would improve faster at 

 home and she was allowed to come home, to 

 remain so long as her condition would war- 

 rant it. All summer long we have been 

 working to build up her general health by 

 nourishing food, baths, out-door exercise, 

 and the like she often taking long drives 

 with Ivy and Fern. She sometimes had 

 periods of depression, hut on the whole she 

 seemed on the up-grade, and we hoped the 

 worst was ove~. She had never exhibited 

 the least tendency towards suicide or homi- 

 cide, and nothing was feared in this direc- 

 tion. 



When I went away to the Buffalo conven- 

 tion she was not feeling very well, and I 

 hesitated long and seriously as to whether I 

 better go. but I finally decided to go, she as- 

 suring me that she was no worse than at 

 many times previous. When I reached 

 homo Friday evening I experienced a feeling 

 of great relief to hud all the loved ones alive 

 and apparently well. All were asleep except 

 my ivife, and we sat and talked until cjuite 

 late, she trying to convince me that there 



