Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-03-09
The DOund-EsOys Dream.
By MRS. NJ. A. DLNSlSOS.

| A little far.harec. child laid its pale cheek
against pillow ofstraw.
1t had toiled up three pairs of narrow stairs
to gain its miserable garret for it was a little
"bound child" that had neither father nor
mother, and no soft bed awaited his tired
limbs. but miserable pallet with one thin
coverlet.
1t had neither lamp nor candle to Tighten
the room, if such it might be called: still that
was not so bad, for the beautiful moon smil
ed in upon the poor bound boy, and almost
kissed his forehead, and HIS sad eyes closed
dreamily.
But after awhile, as he laid there, what a
wonderous change came over the place. A
great light shone down, the huge black raf-
ters turned to solid gold, aud these seemed all
studded with tiny, precious sparkling stones.
The broken floor, too, was all encrusted with
shining cry ystals and the child raised himself
upon his elbow, and gazcd with a half fearing
self delighted look upon the glorious sight.
One spot on the wall seemed too bright for
his vision to endure, but presently, as if emerg.
ing from it, came soft white figure that stood
by the poor bound-boy's bedside
The child shut his eyes. he was a little, only
little frightened, and his heart beat quickly;
but he found breath to murmur-
"Tell me who you are?'
"Look up be not afraid" said a sweet voice,
that sounded like the harps 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, 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 muddy streets and pick up chips;
but your face is quite too handsome and your
clothes prettier than ever saw before, and
there isro ugly hump on your back-besdes,
my brother Willy is oead long ago."
81 am your brother Willy, your immortal
brother; my body, with the ugly hump. is dead
and turned to ashes; just soon as that died,
went up to the great heayens, and saw sights
that cannot tell you about now, they were 50
very beautiful. But God, who is your father,
and The holy name of Eternity, gave me these
bright garments, that never get soiled, and
was so happy that expect. my face was very
much changed, and grew tall and straight; so
no wonder you don't know me-
And now the little bound child's Tears be
gan to fall.
oh" he exclaimed earnestly. elf l. TOO,
could go to Heaven ~
"You can co. replied the angel, with a
smile of ineffable sweetness. you have learn.
ed how to read-weIl, tomorrow get your BIZ
BILE, and find very reverent!y-for it is Gods
most holy book-these words of the Lord Je-
sus; But | say unto you, love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which des
pitcfully use you and persecute you" Do all
these, and you shall be the child of your Father
which is above"
Gwen if they beat me?" murmured the lit
tie bound boy, with quivering lip.
flash Of light passed over the angels face,
as he replied
"The more you forgive the nearer you will
be to Heaven"
In another moment the vision had gone, but
still the room was all blazing with unearthly
radiance.
AS the little boy fell back upon his pillow
his wan face reflected the ar gels smile, and he
will forgive them, even if they
beat me-
Suddenly a more musical voice than the
former fell upon his ear This time he was
not afraid, but sitting upright on his msera
BILE couch, he saw figure that seemed to lift
itself from the wall "a ray of intense brightness
outlined all its FORMS its eyes blazcd, yet there
was mild beauty in them every time they
looked into his own.
Little one. am your father said the form,
in melting accents.
81 don't think you can be my father, whis
pered the boy timldly. my father used to
look very old indeed; he got hurt and wore a
crutch; there were wrinkles OIL his face and all
over his forehead ;his hair was short and white
not long like yonrs. And my father used to
stoop over, and wear little black apron, and
put patches on shoes in little dark room"
"And what else?"
He used to pray and sing very sweetly, but
never hear any praying and singing now"
.Obbed the child, bursting into tears
Don't cry, my dear little boy, but listen to
ne. am your father, your immortal father;
hat poor lame body is all gone now, mingled
With dust Of the graveyard. As soon as the
breath left that deformed BODY Of mine, | was
With the shining angels, and hosts Of them
pore me up to Heaven; and the King Of the
glorious place clothed me in these white stain