Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-23
M8Y. g..
raAiss' QGaartmrut.
FERN LEAVES.
FRoM FANNY FERN's PORTFOLIO.
Little Charlie, the Child Angel.

Little Charlie, the Child Angel.
am one Of the perSecuted class called old
maids. BY going quietly about the world,
taking care not to jostlc any ofny neighbors,
or hit against any ofthcir rough angles, Imam
age TO Lc cheerful, contented and happy. In
nv multitudinous migralions, ! have had some
opportunity to stndy human nature. Lately,
| have become an inmate OF a crowded board
ing house. My little room hasalready become
home like. The cheerful sun has expanded
the fragrant flowers | love so well 10 mature;
my canary triIls dissatisfaction in n gayer song
than ever and my pictures, books, and guitar
" drive dull care away" and beguile many a
pleasant hour. And nov my heart has found
a new object Of interest. I've noticed on the
st,ircasc and in the hnii and lobby, a lovely
child. who seemed 70 wander about rs It's wi
sweet will sometimes sitting YEARLY on the
stairs. almost as.cep; then lettering at the
kitchen door, watching the operations ofthc
cook: then peeping into the halt open doors OF
the different apartReats. As by q rule Of the
house, no children permitted at the table, it
WINS sometime before | could tell who claimed
this little stray wait.
One morning. attracted bv the carol Of my
canary, he ventured to put his little curly head
inside my door. He needed little encourage
mcnt to enter, for I've read with n child's ms
kiHEAf ils NklkbIhb ~ thy ldGGs M AAiHh
conversation soon eRsued about birds, flow es
and pictures-his large blue eyes growing
bright, and his eheek Aushing with pleasure,
as story followed story, while lie sat upon my
knee.
At length ! said TO him, Charlie, won't
mamma be anxious about you, ifyou stay so
long2'
%, no. said he. Iizzie don't care
who's Lizzie?'
sWhy, my mamma! She don't care if | am
only out Of the way. LIZZIE made ME this
pretty dress, said he, holding up his richly
embroidered frock; 'but Lizzie dom know any
stories, and she says an Il bore. What IS a
bore 4? said the sweet child, looking trustingly
IN ry face.
Never mind, now said l t~earfulIy you
NAV stay with me whenever you like, and We
win bo very good friends
The dinner belh sounding, aeryly dressed
young thing vociferated, in a voice anything
but musical, Charlie. Charlio' When apo!-
ogized for keeping him, she said carelessly,
as she rearranged her bracelets, q, it don't
signify, IL you have patience with him, he's 50
tiresome with his questions. I've boughthi him
heaps Oftoys, but he never wants to play, and
he is forever asking me such oId-iashioned
questions. Keep him and welcome. when you
like buttake my woFd for it, you will repent
your bargain! and she tripped gayly down to
dinner.
Poor little Charlie! Tiue in plenty to Ad,
Just those silken rinFlets time to cmbrOlder
all those little gay dresses; time TO lnger oveI
the last new novel but for the soul that look
cd forth from these deep b1uc eyes, no time Il
SOW the good seed, no time to watch lest thu
enemy sow tares.
From that timc Charlie and / were insep1ra
BILE. The thOughtless mother, well content Il
pass her time 6evouring Ill sorts of trashy lit
%erature, aud in all kinds ofidle conversation
with her drawing room companions. TIL
young father, weary with business troubles
cortenting himself with a quiet goodnight
and closing thedty by n visit to the theatre u
concert.ro0m. Poor Charlie. meanwhile. pu
TO bed, for safe keeping, would lie for hour
tossing r~estlrssly FROM side TO side, with notl
ing on his mind, Us he innOcentlY said to III,
What a JOY TO sit by his side and beguile til
lonely hours There | learned to understan
the peaipii ne, IF RRFrf aStt8RessS, nevis il" fc1pe;
after me, Dor Father asking the the meanln
Of every petition; then he would say, VIII
don't you tell Lizzie7 Lizzie don't kno'
any prayersH
One night ] sang him these lines,-
"swoet colds beyond the swelling food
Stand dressed in Lying green -
he raised hiHsclf in che bed, while tears tren
bled on his long lashcs, and said, % sing til;
again-it seems as it l saw abeautiful picture
Then taking my guitar, | would sit by his be,
side, and watch the eyes droop and grow heav
with slumber as sang 10 him. And she who's
duty, and JOY, and pride, it should have bee
tn guide those little feet to Him who biddet
'liitle childreR come was iRdolently and cor
tentedly bound in nowery letters, of her ow
making. unmindful that an angels destiny ",
entrusted to her careless keeping.
4
Little Charlie lay tossing in his little be-
with a high Ceyg. IL u not needful to te
oftho hold he had upon my heart and service
His childish mother, either unable or unwil
ing TO sec his danger, had left him in my chare
drawn from his side by the attraction OF
military ball. l changed his heated pillow
gave him the cooling draugkt, bathed his 4
Vcrish temPles.End, faaIly at his request. roe
ed him gently, to quiet his restlessness. I
placed his little arms caressingly ahoutmy nee
and said, 'sing To- me of Heasen.' When
finished, he looked languidly up aud said,
where's Lizzie?-l must see Lizziev and
the words died upon his lirs, his eyes droope
his heart lnttered like u prisioned bird, n
little Charlie was counted one of the heaven
fold.
As | closed lis eyes and crossed the dimpl
hands peacefully upon his little breast, his Il
words rang l%earfully in nay ears-'Wher,
LizzieP