Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-05-12


the window, and Howard Ingersol and his
wife dreamed not of the want and wretch
edness that almost lay within the shadow of
their threshold Had they not put their
names TO the subscription list. and said
God help the poorl' Surely they had done
their duty.
Mary, is there room for me, too Pm
so cold can't bear to wake up mother,
and know shall If get into bed with
her; amt II funny she sleeps so long I aud
the chlld-speaker drew her lips closely down
to the ear Of the other, as if fearful that the
sound Of her voice might disturb some one
IN the apartment.
Right across the street, so that the light
from Howard lngersoll's pleasant parlur
came like faint ghust.fngers into the dark
ened room, revealing its utter destitutlon,
stood an old and dilapIdaied dwelling. It's
huge, ungraceinl shadow mingled with that
of It's symmetrical neigbbor, and there face
TO face, aud front to front, they stood on
that fearful night; while the Great Eyes to
whom the darkness and the day are alike,
looked down steadily, sleeplessy into the
lighted parlor and the darkened chamber.
Yes, Lizzie, | can make room. only
there amt clothes enough to cover you,
too; you can have part Of mas old cloak
though. LizzIe, Pm almost burning up
what makes YOU call II cold 2
Burning up burning upp circulated
the other, her surprise getting the better OF
her caution Why. Mary, the water has
frozen IN the pitcher, aud feel Just like
ice all over, only my hands and feet ache
So
Well, get in quick, Lizzie there, take
half the pillow, aud put your hands IN niue.
Oh. how cold aud good they feel l. zzie,
have you said your prayers
Yes, SAID her sister, hesltatingly. 8!
trled to, long time ago, when | stood at
the window, watching Cor the people III the
brick house to light up their parlor; ard
when the glrl came ia with the lamps, Just
before she drew the curtains, | could look
down uud see almost all that was m the
room. On Il looked 50 beautiful, with the
FIRE dancing Ia the CRATE. Ii seemed SO cru
el that We could have one, too, aud there
was ite boy aud girl there, Mary, and
they looked SO happy as they ran round the
gan to feel angry with them know It was
wicked, but could not help il shut my
eyes and tired to pray, but all the lime that
pleasant room aud those happy children
stood right before me, aud the words came
dreadful hard. 1t did, ut seem as # God
heard them. Don't you think He's forgot.
ten ~ Mary ?
on no no Lizzie, you know mamma
saws God cannot forget any more than we
can forget each uther and then He sees Us
always, for He can look RIGHT straight down
I through the darkness. Oh wonder If lie
/ don't feel sorry for US now ?
Lizzie tried to answer, but she could not
( for the great sob ad been rising and swell
+ ling in her throat, until It was too large tc
be swallowed down again.
That chllds sob 10 the silence, wrung ou
4 of the little, weary, aching heart, what 4
world of agony 1t revealed
Don't, LIZZIE, don'tr said Mary, anc
she pu, up her iutle hot hand aud slrokec
her sisters face aud tried to wipe away the
tears that roi ed down the small pale cheeks
with corner OF the cloak and finding TIN,
OF no avail, she flung her arm around hel
sister aud cried very softly, but the pillow
was very wet with those chhd-tears, winch
the dark, loving eyes Of the angels looked
down to see. Aud through all thls the moth,
er step, on 1t was very singular
Perhaps mamma wlll be better to-mor.
row, sister, she sleeps SO long, SAID the SICK
child, striving To hush up her Tears aud iind
a word Of consolation for the little, heayI
heart, that lay throbbng close To her own.
on hope she will SAID Llzzle, IN a
more hopeful voice, but II grew sad agaIu
as she asked, bur what Is to become OF Us
we have no food aud no ire
I'm sure don't know, answered the
/ llule one; | am not hungry now, only NV
throat is 81 patched up, aud all day long
kept thinking of the great apples that grew
on the old tree IN from, of our house ID mi
you remember ii, Llzziel Aud those pref.
" roses that used to hook IN at our chamber
window; aud the spring under The rock
with the mint that grew all around II. On
we were SO happy then and father would
! take Ms on his knee, when the stars looked
/ Out of the sky like the sparkling eyes of lit-
/ tie children, aud tell us such pretty stores
I Oh, Lizzlr, If they had'n buried hlm under
4 the great willow in the graveyard, We
I shouldn't have bpeu here all alone IA the
dark tonight Aud then both the children
cried again.
Llzzle,' whispered the little girl, as she
! tried to send back the tears that would come
J in spite of her efforts, don't you remember
\ the last words father SAID to us that nigh
| he died how he lay there, looking 50 white
and strange, and then he opened his eyes
and smiled on us such a sorrowiu smile
aud SAID, God will be your Father, my lat
tie, lalherless children. Love Hun, ane
} trust ia Him, aud He will bring YOU anC
mamma to NE again IN His own good time.
} On, sister, if we could only 20 to Hun, now
we shouldn't be cold or hungry any more
! aud you wouldn't have TO watch for th'
folks IN the brick house to light up the
parlor any more, SO that we could see eacl
other, Tor mamma says it is always high
there; and we shouldn't cry any more, TO
God wipes away the tears from all eyes, aU'
J papa would come for us at the great, colder
gates, and be so glad to see u.s.
) / wish we was there now, said Lizzie
{ shvering, and drawing up closer To the sicI
child, but shouldn't want TO go wiihou
you and mamma. Why, little sister, hoy
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