Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-07-20
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From The Philadelphia S,3sa@V Ecea'"g Post
THE IRON WILL.
lComtaded from car tast.)
sy II c lEE

One day the old friend, whose pam "orus
had not pleased Mr.. Crawford, met that gentle
man near his own door The Quaker was lead
inc little boy by the hand. Mr. Crawford bowed,
and evidently wished to pass on; but the Quaker
paused, and said:
at should like to have few words with thee,
friend Crawford"
Well, say on"
Thee is known as a benevolent man, friend
Crawford Thee never refuses, it is SAID, to do
deed of charity"
I" always give something, when | am sure
the object is deserving"
"So am aware. Do you see this little boyW
.tMr. Crawford glanced down at the child
the Quaker held by the hand As he did, the
child lifted to him gentle face, with mild, earn
est, loving eyes.
ITt is sweet little fellow" said Mr.. Craw-
ford, reaching his hand to the little child. He
spoke with some feeling, for there was look
about the boy that went to his heart
He is, indeed, sweet chid-and the image
of his poor, sick, and almost broken-hearted
mother, for whom am trying to awaken an in
terest. She has two children, and this is the
Oldest Her husband is dead, or what may be
as bad, or perhaps worse, as far as she is CON-
cerned, dead to her and as she does not seem
to have relative in the world, at least, none to
care for her, in trying to provide for her child
rem, she has overtasked her delicate frame, and
made herself sick. Unless something is done
for her, worse thing must follow. She must
90 to the Aims House, and be separated from
her children Look into the sweet, innocent
face of this dear child, and let your heart say
whether he ought to be taken from his mother.
If she has woman's feelings, must she not love
this child tenderly and can any one supply him
his mothers placer"
i" I will do something for her, certainly" said
Mr.. Crawford.
q" 1 wish thee would go with me to see her"
"There is no use in that. My seeing her
can do her no good. Get all you can for her
and then come to me. | will help in the good
work cheerfuly," replied Mr.. Crawford.
" That is thy dwelling, believe" said the
Quaker, looking round at house adjoining the
one before which they stood.
=" Yes, that is my house," returned Crawford.
Z" Will thee take this little boy in with thee,
and keep him few minutes, while go to see
friend some squares OFF,
ooh, certainly. Come with me, dear !" And
Mr.. Crawford held out his hand to the child,
who took it without hesitation.
" | will see thee in little WHILE" said the
Quaker, as he turned away.
The boy, who was plainly but very neatly
dressed was about four years old. He had
more than usually attractive face, and an earnest
look out of his mild eyes, that made every one
who saw him his friend,
What is your name, my DEAR" asked Mr.
Crawford, as he sat down in his paror, and took
the little fellow on his knee.
Henry" replied the child. He spoke with
distinctness; and, as he spoke, there was sweet
expression of his lips and eyes that was particu-
larly winning.
g 1t is Henry, is tt"
Yes, sir"
What else besides Henry?'
The boy did not reply, for he had fixed his
eyes upon picture that hung over the mantle,
and was looking at it intently. The eyes of Mr..
Crawford followed those of the child that rested
he found, on the portrait of his daughter.
" What else besides Henry"
Henry Logan" replied the child, looking
for moment into the face of Mr. Crawford, anC
then turning to gaze at the picture on the wall
Every nerve quivered in the frame Of that mar
of iron will The falling of bolt from sunny
sky could not have startled and surprised hin
more. He saw in the face Of the child, the mo
ment he looked at him, something strangely ia
miiar and attractive What it was he did no
until this instant comprehend. But it was NJ
longer a mystery
"Do you know who 1 am" he asked, in
subdued voice, after he had recovered, to som
extent, his feelings.
The child looked again into his face, but long
er and more earnestly Then, without answer
ing, he turned and looked at the portrait on til
wall
DO you know who / am, dear ~ repeate
Mr.. Crawford
g." No. sir" replied the child and then agai
turned to gaze upon the picture.
"Who is that" and Mr.. Crawford pointe
10 the object that so fixed the little boys attel
ton.
"My mother" And as he said these word
he hid down his head upon the bosom of h
unknown relative, and shrunk close to him,
if half afraid because of the mystery that, in h
infantile mind, hung around the picture on Il
wall.
Moved by an impulse that he could not r
strain, Mr. Crawford drew his arm around Il
child and Rugged him to his bosom. Pride ga
way; the iron will was bent the sternly utter
VOW was forgotten. There is power for good
the presence of little child, Its sphere of
nocence subdues and renders impotent the e
spirits that rule in the hearts of selfish men.
was so in this case. Mr.. Crawford might ha
withstood the moving appeals of even his daug
ter's presence, changed by grief, labor and s.
fering as she was, But his anger, upon whi
he had suffered the sun to 60 down, fled beft
her artless, con6ding innocent child. He thong
not of Fanny-as the wilful woman, acting frC
the dictate of her passions or feelings, but a;
little child lying upon his bosom-as little chi
with to him the face of cherub; and the sal
ed mother of that innocent one by her side.
When the Friend came for the little boy, I
Crawford said 10 him in low voice-made
to hide his emotion
I will keep the child"
From its mother"
No. Bring the mother and the other CHI
have room for them ALL
A sunny smile passed over the benevol
countenance of the Friend as he hastily left
room.
Mrs. Logan, worn down by exhausting lat
had at last been forced to give up. When
did give up, every long strained nerve of m