Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-11
The Little Bound Boys Dream.

MRS. M. A. DENNIsoN.
A little fair haired child laid its pale cheek
against pillow of straw.
1t had toiled up three pairs of narrow, dark
stairs, to gain its miserable garnet, for it was
little ''bound child,' that had neither father nor
mother; so no soft bed awaited his tired limbs, but
miserable pallet with one thin coverlet.
1t had neither lamp nor candle to light the room,
if such it might be Called still that was not so bad,
for the beautiful, round moon smiled in upon the
poor. bound boy, and almost kissed his forehead,
as his eyes closed dreamily.
But after awhile, as he laid there, what won
drous change came over the place. A great light
shone down, the huge black rafters turned to solid
gold, and these all studded with tiny, precious,
sparkling stones. The broken floor, too, was all
encrusted with shining crystals and the child rails
ed himself upon his elbow, and gazed with half
fearing, half delighted look upon the glorious
One spot on the wall seemed too bright for his
vision to endure, but presently as if emerging
from it, came soft white figure, that stood by
the poor bound boys bedside.
The child shut his eyes, he was a little only a
little frightened, and his heart beat quickly, but
he found breath to murmur, *'teII me who you
are %
s.Look up, be not afraid" said sweet voice
that sounded like the ha1ps of heaven; ''look up,
darling, am your brother Willy, sent down from
the angels to speak with you, and tell you to bear
all your sorrows patiently, for you will soon be
with u.s."
''What, you, my brother Willy? Oh no, that
cannot be. My brother Willy was very pale, and
his clothes patched and torn, and there was
hump ON his back, and he used to go into the
muddy lanes, and pick up bits of wood and chips,
but your face is quite too handsome, and your
clothes pretter than I ever saw before, and there
is no hump on your back-besides, my brother
Willy, is dead long ago.
81 am your brother Willy, your immortal
brother. My body, with the ugly hump, is dead
and turned to ashes; but just soon as died
went up to the great heavens, and saw sights that
I cannot tell you about now; they were so very,
very beautiful. But God, who is your Father and
the holy name of Eternity, gave me these bright
garments that never get soiled, and I was so hap
Ply that expect my face was changed very much,
and l grew tall and very straight, so no wonder
you do not know me-"
And now the little bound child's tears began tc
; fall.
"Oh!'' he exclaimed earnestly, "if Lcould &C
to heaven
"You can co. replied the angel, with a smile
of neffable sweetness. ''You have learned how
to read we'll; tomorrow, get your bible and fine
} very reverently-for it is Gods most holy book
} these words of the Lord Jesus; But say unto
III,
good to those that hate you, and pray for then
which despitefuly use you and persecute YOU
EDO all these, and you shall be the child o
your Father which is above'
t even if they beat me % murmured the littl'
bound boy with quivering lip.
D A flash of light passed over the angels face a
he replied, "the more you forgive the nearer yo'
S will be to heaven"
7 In another moment the vision had gone, but still
! the room all blazing with uneafthly radiance
i As the little boy fell back upon his pillow, hi
wan face reflected the angels smile, and he thought
a 81 will forgive them even if they beat me-"
v Suddenly more musical voice than the forme
o fell upon his ear This time be was not afraid bu
sitting upright on his miserable couch, he saw
g of intense brightness outlined all its form; il
it every time they looked into his own.
e "Little one, am your father" said the form
it in melting accents.
y 81 don't think you can be my father" whis
d pered the boy, tmidly. eMy father used to loo
very old indeed: and he got hurt and used crutcl
IS there were wrinkles on his face, and all over
forehead; his hair was short and white; not Ion
ii like yours And my father used to stooP. owe
and wear little black apron, and put patches
Ut shoes in little dark ROOM"
ID ssAnd what else 7"
..He used to pray and sing very sWeetly b
Ill never hear any praying and singing now, sODD'
aalthe child, bursting into tears.
Is kDor't cry, dear little boy, but listen to me.
ae am yoar father, your immortal father; that-Poc
re lame body sal gone now, mingled with che du
q 81 the grave yard As soon IS the breath LETT q