The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-04-21
Mistell1neons.
THE LITTLE ORPHAN.

We hope our younger friends read
sometimes. what we publish on this page
We try to give interesting and instructive
matter. We copy often, for this purpose,
from old aurhors-the good and great of
the past-from living writers the good
and great ofthe present. Surely they can
find sometimes, extracts worth reading
and remembering. But there is a story
written by young friend, and intended
especially for them: its object is, TO teach
this great truth that we must be kind to
each other. Will lour young friends read
it. and remember the lesson it conveys?
We hope so.--K Kentucky Eram'ner.
1t was Christmas Eve; and all the chill.
dren in Mrs. Moron's boarding school
were dancing with delight for the next
day their teacher was to give them ball,
and then they were to return home to
spend the holidays.
Oh! how their little hearts beat and
their brightey sparkIed, asthey thought
of it. And besides this, Fanny Foster,
with her large black eyes had caught
glimpse of Christmas tree, in Mrs. Nor
toms parlor, covered with pretty things;
and they expected summons from her
every moment. At length it came. and
the children rushed down. breathless,
while the sound of music made them al
most Wild
Only one remained behind. in the de-
serted school-room. This was pale
little girl, shabbily dressed, whose deep
blue eyes peeped sadly forth beneath
their fringed lids. and whose pale lip no
smile illuminated. A large tear rested
on ber hollow cheek. and an expression
of sorrow. more touching in one so young,
showed that the lonely child was unhap-
py.
Poor little Lila! the tears gushed forth
more freely, ..as the sound of music and
laughter reached her ear, and she thought
how happy she had been when her own
mamma lived and how eagerly she had
watched for Christmas then. But no
body cared for the little orphan girl now;
even the Christ child had forgotten her,
and most of the little girls laughed at her
because she had to wear Kale Morton's
cast-uff clothes. IL was very wrong but
Mrs. Morton did not check them as she
should have done; indeed, she sometimes
ridiculed Lila herself. and the frendless
one was glad to hide her head SO she
did not go with the other children into
the parlor, but remained weeping i'll the
sch0ol. room. ......
After awhile she hid her face ppon the
desk, and m0aned aloud. Mother! Moth
er Then the room became suddenly
very bright, and she no longer felt cold
and dreary; the desks and chairs vanished
and in the middle of the room stood g
large Christmas tree. covered with pres
ents, and supported by beautiful child
with golden crown upon its head LII
la clapped her hands, and the tears were
all gone. She looked at the smiling child
and the pretty tree, and FASTENED to ex
anime her presenls. There were nice
little dresses, dolls, and necklaces. Poo
Lila was enchanted. She kuelt dow
to thank the angel-child, when COLDER
cloud surrounded the tree, and she heart
the most beautiful music in the world
softly ringing about her-now near, ant
now far off-while the room seemed 10 b'
filling with lovely beings. whose soft eye
beamed kindly upon her; aud they al
appeared to come from behind the gold
en- cloud which enveloped the Christina
Tree. . ....
Gradually the music died away, and
heavenly voice cried, "Lilla!" At tn
same time. Lila saw her own dear mann
ma standing before her, with a starr
crown upon her brow. She sprang for
ward. the spirit raised her earthly darn
the little pale Lilla-and kissed he
cheek. "Oh. Mamma; dear Mammt
take me with you, do not leave poor Ii
Ia again! am 80 sad without you; nc
body loves me here-may not 60 wit
youi" and she buried her head in he
mothers bosom, and wept aloud. 'Lilla
murmured the angel my earthly chile
weep no more, for joy is at hand. Yet
little while must we part, my cherShe
one, but no longer shalt thou be frlendle'
and sad; Tomorrow. the Christ chill
shall bring thee gift, and give thee
home. Then weep no more. but be
thou hast been, meek and kind, and Ii
angels who watch over thee will max
thee loved and happy. And forgot N
that God is the orphans Father heaye
the orphans home. Now, fare the
we'll, my child"
Lila M longer nestled in her bosor
but kueIt upon the floor, and the s"il m
sic again was heard; while the goldt
cloud surrnunded her mother, and Il
angels grouping round her seemed
melt away into thin air, murmuring
the while. in harmony with the musi
"Fare thee well. and weep no more
dear little Lila. weep no more."
For moment, Lila was silent al
breathless; but the sound of merrime