Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-03-23

| y
father, and the holy name of Eternity, gave me
these bright garments, that never get soiled, and
1 was so happy that expect my face was chan
ged very much, and 1 grew tall and straight ;
SO wonder you do not know me-
| And now the little bound child's tears began
| to fall.
| Oh!'' he exclaimed earnestly, " if /, too
could go to Heayen!'
q You can go, replied the angel, with smile
| of ineffable sweetness. /" You have learned how
| to read-well, tomorrow get you your Bible
| and find very reverently-for it is Gods most
holy book-these words of the Lord Jesus: But
1 say unto you, love your enemies, bless them
that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully useyou and
persecute you Do all these, and you shall be
the child of your Father, which is above.''
'' Even if they beat me ?'' murmured the little
bound-boy, with quivering lip.
A fash 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 all blazing with unearthy ra-
dance.
As the little boy fell back upon his pillow, his
wan face reflected the angels SMILE and he
thought" will forgive them, even if they beat
me-"
Suddenly more musical voice than the former
fell upon his ear. This time he was not afraid,
but sitting upright on his miserable couch, he
saw figure that seemed to lift itself from the
wall ray of intense brightness outlined all
its form its eyes blazed, yet there was a mild
beauty in them every time they looked into his
own.
Little one, am your father" said the form,
in melting accents.
q l don't think you be my father" whis-
pered the boy, timidly. q 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 stoop
over, and wear little black apron, and put
patches on shoes in a little dark room"
:" And what else ?'
''He used to pray and sing very sweetly, but
| never hear any praying and singing now Sob
bed the child, bursting into tears.
Don't cry, my dear little boy, but listen to
me. l am your father, your immortal father;
that poor lame body is all gone now, mingled
with the dust of the grave yard As soon as the
breath left that deforned body of mine, L was
with the shining angels, and hosts of them bore
me up to Heaven: and the King of that glorious
place clothed me in these white stainless robes,
and gave this tall, beautiful body, which shall
never feel corruption. And this was the reason,
dear little orphan-because loved Him, and my
chief delight was in praying to Him, and talking
about Him, and, although was very poor, tried
to be honest, and many times went hungry rath-
er than do wrong. And you, if you never forget
to say your little prayers, that L taught yous if
you will keep Gods holy commandments, and
trust ir, ffI,s. always, sIigI soon be with me III
my sweet heavenly home"
Once more the child was left alone, and still
the rafters were golden the walls pearly the old
floor studded with brilliants, and the same SOFT
mysterious light over all.
A strain of holy music fell family upon his en-
raptured senses it grew louder, and came near
| er to the head of his little bed. And voice
oh far sweeter than either of the others-sang :
MY child, my little earth-child look upon me
| i am thy mother"
| In a moment what emotions swelled the bosom
| of the lonely boy. He thought of her cherished
| tenderness to him long years ago, of her soft
arms around his neck her gentle lips pressing his
| forehead then came up the.cruelty of strangers,
who, after she had been put away into the deep
| ground, treated him with harshness and severi-
| ty.
| He turned towards her-oh what glorious
| being! Her eyes were like stars; her hair like
the most precious gold; but there was that in
her face that none other might truly know
He had doubted if the first risen was his brother
| if the second was his father-but not once did
he doubt that this beautiful being was his own
| dear mother.
A little while he kept down his strong feeling,
but the thought of the past and the present over
| powered him.
.sOh! mother, mother, mother" he cried,
| stetching forth his hand, " let me come to you
| let me come there is nobody in this world like
you no one kisses me now no one loves me-
Oh mother, mother, let me come y and the hot
tears rained down his checks.
Ny orphan child she said, in low tones
that thrilled him to the heart, ''you cannot come
| to me now but listen to me. l am very otter
near YOU when you know it not. Every day
am by your side, and when you come to tins
lonely room to weep my wings encircle you.
behold you suffer but l know that God will no
give you more sorrow than you can bear WheI
you resist evil, Whisper calm and tender thought
unto your soul but whom you give way to an
, ger-when you cherish a spirit of revenge-yo'
| fdriye your mother from you. Remember tha