The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-12-03

/ her shameless liar, aud summoned her be-
fore court of law. AS she could not prove
that anything had been paid, il was decided
that the whole claim against her was valid.
| The heirs Insisted upon payment; and as
poor Maria had nothing but the cottage
and the grounds, this little property must
now be sold. She had fallen upon her knees
before the heirs, and prayed them not to
turn her out Of doorS.-Little Ferdinand
wept with hPr--bO'h wept, but all was in
vain. The following morning was appoint
ed Tor the sale. She had heard this an hour
before just as she had finished her days
work. A neighbor had called out over the
hedge, and told it to her.
1t was for this reason that she now sat so
sorrowfulIy by the open window, glanc-
ing how upwards to the clear sky, now
upon Ferdinand, aud then gazing S,ea-
Oily upon the floor. There was a sad 81
lcnce.
"AlaS!' she said 10 herself, 81 have to-
day, then, raked the hay from the orchard
for the last time. The, early yellow plrmbs
which lpiclled this morning for Ferdinand
are the last fruit which the poor boy will
eat from the trees which his father planted
for him. Yes, this may he the last night we
tomorrow, this property will be amother's !;
and who can say but we shall be turned out
! Mt once? Heaven only knowcs where we
shall find a shclcrto-mouow Perhaps UNI
der the open hcaven!n She began to sob
violently.
Little Ferdinand who until now had
not, moved, came forward, and weeping
| said
/ "Moiher, do not cry so bitterly, or else
| cannot talk to you. Doyou not know what
father said, as he died there on that bed p
'Do not weep So said he God is father
to the poor widows and orphans. Cali upon
hun in thy distress, and he will aid thee
This Is what he said; and is it not true.
then -
eyes, dear child" said the mother, Kit is
truc.n
"Wcll," said tire boy, ''why do You wcco
so long, then; Pray to God and he viii
help yon."
"Good child. thou art right" said his mo-
ther; and her tears flowed less bitterly. and
comfort was mingled with her sorrow.
she iolded her arms, and raised her moist
| eye towards heaven: and Ferdinand folded
ms hands also and looked upward-ard
tae bright moon shone down upon mother
and child.
ANA the mother began 10 pray, and the
boy repeated every word after her.
Treat Father in heavenI' she said.
/ LOOK down Upon poor mother and her
enid. poor widow and Il poor orphan
raise their eyes to thee. We are in great
need, and have no longer any refuge on
the earth. But thou art rich in mercy.
-, i3Ion hast .th.ysClf said, 'cal upon me in
thee Oh 10 thee we pray. Thrust rs not
forth from this dwelIinG-ahc not from
poor orphan his only little Inheritance Or,
If in thy mysterious, but still most wise
and benevolent purposes. thou hast other
wise dccrocd. prepare forus a rcs'inG-plaCe
upon the wide vast earth. On pour this
consolation into oar hearts. lest they break
when we wander forth, and from Wonder
hill turn 10 look for the last time won onr
home.'
sobs interrupted her: weeping, she gag
ell upon her boy, and was silent. The boy.
who yet stood with folded hands. suddenly
exclaimed, with out->tretched finger:
Smother. look what is that? Yond.r
moves light. Youdor flies a little STAR
Look there il hurricS by the window, Oh,
see. row it comes in How brght-how
beautiful il shines Look only lock! 1t
has n GrecniSh light. 1t is almost rs bcau-
tiiul as the evening star. Now it moves
along the ceiling. That swoudcltul."
alt is fly. dear Ferdinand" said his
mother. SIN the daytime. it is a small I'M
slightly insect. hut in the night it gives ont a
most beautiful light"
"May catch r" said the boy. "Willt
not hurt me, and will not the light burn
me%'
at viii not burn thee" said the inother;
aud she laughed while the tears s,rcamCl
| down her cheeks.
''Catch It, aud examine it more closely;
it is one Of the wonders of Gods almighty
powcr.'
The boy. entirely forrctrui of his sorrow
at once tried Ia catch the sparkling FIRE. fly
now on the floor, now under the table. now
uui - the chair.
I 50 me! what n pity," said the boy Cor,
rs lc reached ont his hand TO catch the
bris,' insect, it few behind tho great chest
that STOOD againStthc wall. He lookeh I'M.
der the chest.
II sec it plainly enough" he said.
"lhcrc il is, close against the wall; and the
white wall and the floor, and every hit Of
dust near II. shine as ifthc moon Shonc up
on them. But I cannot reach tiny arm
! is not long cnough;'
Tho mother rose. and moved tho chest
from tho well; end The child took the Ere
0yGud examined it in the hollow Of his lit
tie hand, and was delighted with it.
Du, his mothers attention was attracted
by different object. As size moved the
chest something which had stucl; between
It and the wall fell upon the floor. she NUT
tered n loud cry, as She picked II up.
/ "Ah.' she exclaimed, snow oil our trout
/ bic is over, That's the last years account
book, which | have so LONG locked FOR in
vain. thought ilhad been destroyed rs Of
no Waite, by strangers, perhaps While lay
sCnsclcsS during my illness. Now il can he
shown that thy father paid the money that
they demand of us. Who would have
thought that the nccount-bOok stuck behind
the great chest which we took with the cot
tage, and which has not been moved since
we bought ~"
She at once lighted lamp, and turned
over the leaves of the acCount.book. while
tears of joy sparlilcd in her eyes. Every
thing was correctly put down-the sum
which her deceased husband owed. of the