Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-11-03
THE GARRETT HOME.

A getleman was one day visiting some uesii-
tute families in the poorest parts OF London
After climbing number of stairs, which con-
Quoted to the houses, he observed ladder lead
ING to the door, close upon the states. lie
thought it most unlikely that any living being
would be found dwelling there-but in order
to satisfy himself, he resolved on ascending the
ladder. On reaching the door, he found it so
low that he was obliged to stoop before he
could enter I" Is there any one here?" he in
quired.
"Come imp answered feeble voice.
He entered, and found little boy the solita-
nv tenant of this wretched home. There was
no bed-no furniture of any kind. Some
straw and shavings in one corner, formed the
poor little fellows seat by day and his couch by
night.
"Why are you here ?" inquired the kind Wis
itor "Have you father! :"
ayes, sir"
Have you mother g
"No sir-snother is in the grave"
"Where is your father! You must surely
weary very sauch for his coming home in this
dark, solitary place"
"No, sir" replied the boy, sorrowfully.-
"My father gets drunk. He used to send me
out to stea-and whatever stole he spent in
drinking"
"Does he not make you do so still 2"
81 went" replied the boy, to the Ragged
School, and was there taught the words,
"Thoc shalt Not steal" | was told about
Heaven and Hell-that Jesus Christ came TO
save sianers-shat God Furnishes the bad, and
loves the good-and resolved from that time,
would not steal any more g Now" continued
the little sufferer, "my father himself, steals,
and then gets tpsy-and then he gets angry at
me, and Is cruel to me, and whips me, because
will no longer steal"
"Poor little boy !" said the gentleman, deep
ly interested in the sad history. 81 am sorry,
indeed fer you You must feel very lonely
here"
aNo," said tn. other with smile on his
face, {" | am not alone. God is with me. am
not alone"
The gentleman took out his purse and gave
him a small trihe, promising that he would
come back again and see him on the morrow.
"Slopr' said the little fellow, as his kind
visitor was preparing to 60 down the ladder. 81
can sing" And so saying, he commenced in
simple strains, the beautiful hymn which he
loved to cheer his solitude:
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild
Look upon little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to thee.
Fain would to thee be brought,
Gracious God forbid it not
In the kingdom Of thy grace,
Give little child place.
The gentleman was touched by the tale Of
Distress and the character of the desolate child,
and next day he told the case to lady, he knew
would feel interested in him. The lady re-
quested that he would accompany her to the
boys dwelling, to which he readily consented.
Taking along with her bundle of clothes
which might be useful to him, they made their
way up the dark stairs of the house, and reach
ed the ladder. On ascending the steps and
coming to the door, they knocked-but there
was no reply! Again-but no voice as before,
calling come in"
The gentleman opened the door. The bed
the straw, the shavings, were just as he had left
them. The boy was there, too, but he was
DEAD! The boy lay on the bed of straw, but
the spirit had fled to the God who gave it,
Ragged School Magazine.
At camp-meeting number of ladies con-
: ! IL L L 4