The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-12-28
THE BOUND BOYS DREAM.
Y MRS. NJ. A. pENNIsoN.


little bound child that had neither father no
mother; so no soft bed awaited his tired limbs
but miserable pallet with one thin coverd
lt mad neither lamp nor candle To lighter
the room If such it might bo called; sill tha
was not SO bad for the beautiful round moor
smiled in upon the poor, bound boy, and al
most kissed his forehead, as his eyes closet
dreamily.
But after awhile, as no laid there. what |
wondrous change came over this place.
great light shown down, the huge black IA fter
turned to solid gold, and these all studded with
tiny, precious sparkling stones. The broken
floor, too, was all oncrnsted with shining crys
tails and the child raised himself upon his oil
bow, and gazcd viii a ha fearing, half delight
ped look upon the glorious sight.
Ono spot on the wall seemed too bright fol
ms vision to endure, but presently as if emer-
gng from it, camo soft white figure, that
stood by the poor bound boys bedside.
! The childshut his eyes, he was little, only
q little frightened, and his heart beat quickly,
but he found breath TO murmur, tell me who
you are?
| Look up, be not afraid said sweet voice.
that sounded like the harps ofheaven, look up,
darling, am your brother Willy. sent down
from the angels tospeak with YOU. and tell Won n
10 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 were 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 prettier than ov-
or saw before, and there is no hump on your
baek-besides my brother Willy is dead long
ago.
Il am yonr brother Willy, your immortal
brother. My body, with the ugly lump, is
dead and turned to ashes; but just as soon as
died went mp to the great heavens, and saw
sights that | cannot tell you about now, they
were so very, very beautiful But God. who
is your father and tho holy name of Eternity.
gave me these bright garments that never get
solled, and was so happy that | expect nv
face was Changed very much, and grew tall
and very straight, so 40 wonder you do not
know me-
And now the little bound child's tears began
to fall.
oh! he exclaimed earnestly, ff could 90
10 heaven
You can CO. replied the angel with smile
OF inehabe sweetness. You have learned how
to read well, Tomorrow. get your bible and find
very reverently-for it is Gods most holy hook
these words ofihe Lord Jesus. But sav
curse you, do good TO those that hate YOU. and
pray for them that despitefully use you and
perseeute you
DO all these and you shall be the child of
your Father which is above
Even II they beat me? murmured the little
bound boy, with qusering lip.
flash of light passed over the angels face
as he replied, the moro you forgive, the near
eryou will be to heaven
In another moment the vision had gone. but
still the room was all blazing with unearhly
radiance
As the little boy fell back upo,a his pillow
his wan face reflected the angels smile. and he |
thought i will forgive them even if they beat |
me-
Suddenly more mu ical voice than the for
mer fell upon his ear This time he was not |
afraid. bat sitting upright on his miserable
couch, he saw figure that seemed to lift itself |
to the wall, ray ofintense brightness outlined !
all its forms; its eyes blazed, yet there was n
mid beauty 40 them every time they looked into
his own.
Little one, am your father said the form.
in melting accents.
i don't think you can be my father whisper
cd the boy timidly My father used to look
very old indeed; and he got hurt and wore a
crutch, there were wrinkles ON his face, and all
over his forehead, his hair was short and white:
not long like yours. And my father used to
'toop over and wear little black apron. and
put patches on shoes in little dark room
And what else!'
lie used to pray and sing very sweetly, but
never hear any PRAYING and singing now.
iobbed the child. bursting into tears.
Don't cry, dear little boy, but listen 10 mo.
am your father, your immortal father; that
loor lame body is all gone now. mingled with {
he dnst of the grave yard AS SOON as the
,reath left that deformed body. was with tho ,
Inning angels, hosts OF them bore me up to |
leaven; and the king of that glorious place ,
lothed me, in these robes, white and stainless. q
nd gave me this tall beautiful body, which |
hali never feel corruption. And loved Him, c
nd my chief delight was in praying to Him, G
nd talking about him, and although / was (
cry poor tried to DO honest, and many times t
vent hungry rather than do wrong. s
And you, if you never forget to saw vour lit I
e prayers that taught you, if you will keep /
Iods holy commandments, and trust in him u
lways, shall soon be with me in my sweet l
eaveny home. :
Once more tho child was left alone, and Il
Ill the after were golden, tho walls peary
10 old floor studded with brilliants, and tho Ii
'me soft, mysterious light over all. f
A strain ofholy music fell family upon his Fl
1raptured senses; it grew louder, and came o
carer and nearer TO tho head of his little bed.
nd then voice--oh! far sweeter than either
the others, sang my child, my little earth :,
'IId, look upon me, am thy mother y
In moment, what emotion swelled the bo- y y
'm OF the lonely boy. He thought of her :, :
lerlshed tenderness to him long years ago, - -
her soft arms around his neck, the gentle :"
ps pressing his forehead; then came up the ;,
ueity OF strangers, who after she had been =, -
u away IN the cola ground, had treated him =,
ith such harshness. Al
ne turned towards her; oh, what a glorious e.
'lhg; ner eyes were like stars, her hair like a,
o most precious geld; but there was that in %
'r face that none others might so truly know. :.
Q had doubted if the first risen was his broth ~
!, II the second was his father, but had not 4,
le doubt that this beautiful being was his own
ar mother. I"
A little while be kept down his strong feel ~. y.