Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-31
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THE GARRETT HOME.

II S6nlleInan was one Qdy visiting SOnG
destitute families in one OF the poorest
parts of London. After climbing a num-
Der of stairs which conducted to the top
of one Of the houses, he observed a lad
der leading TO a door close upon the
states. He thought it most unlikely that
kany living being would be found dwell
ing there but in order 10 satisfy HIM
self, 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. Is there any one here!
he inquired.
Come in answered feeble voice.
He entered, and found a little boy, the
solitary tenant Of this wretched home.
There was no bed, no furniture Of any
kind. Some straw and shavings in one
corner formed the poor fellows seat by
day, and his couch by night.
Why are you here ? inquired the kind
%visiter. 'Have.you a father?
Yes, sir
Have you a mother?
No, sir mothers in the grave
Where is your father? You must
surely weary very much for his coming
home in this dark, solitary place?
NO, sir replied the boy, ~sorrowfnlly,
my father gets drunk. He used to send
me out 10 steal, and whatever | stole he
spent in drinking
Docs he not make you do so still 2
Il went replied the boy, to the Rag
ged School, and | was there taught the
words, Thou shalt not steal | was
told about heaven and hell that Jesus
Christ came to save sinners; that God
Furnishes the bad, and loves the good
: and | resolved, from that time, [ would
steal no more. Now, continued the lit
tie sufferer, my father himself steals
and then gets tipsy; 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,
deeply interested in the sad history 4
am sorry indeed for you. You must fee
very lonely here
No. said the other, with a smile or
y his face, Il am not alone. God is Will
me; Christ is with me. [ am not a
lone =
The gentleman took out his purse, AM
:; gave him a small triae, promising tina
he would come back again, and see hin
on the morrow.
Stop! = said the little fellow, as hi;
kind v%isiter was preparing to 60 down
the ladder { l can sing And so sayin:
he commenced, in simple strains, tn
beautiful hymn with which he loved t
cheer his solitude:
Gentle jesus! meek and mild,
is Look upon a little child!
Pity my simplicity,
>, Suffer me to come to Thee.
'Fain would I to Thee be brought;
Gracious God, forbid it not!
In the kingdom Of thy grace,
give l1,tI~ el1he Tlaoe.>
The gentleman was touched with th
tale of distress and the character Of tn
desolate child and the next day he toll
the case TO a lady he knew would fet
interested in him. The lady requisite
that he would kindly accompany her
the boys dwelling, to which he readil
consented. Taking along with her
bundle of clothes which might be usef
to him, they made their way together I
the dark stairs Of the house, till the
reached the ladder. On ascending II
steps, and coming to the door, the
knocked, and there was no reply. The
Knocked again; still no reply. Agar
but still no voice, as before, calling Con
in The gentleman opened the doc
!. the bed, the straw, the shavings, we
. Just as he had left them. The boy W
@ there, too, but he was dead! The b
lay on the bed of straw, but the spirith
Ragged School Magazine .