Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-02-09


main on the top of The bank. Then the
s,reame. flowed merrily by, and the purl-
ing waves seemed to be murmuring thanks
to the gentle child.
And onward still went Amy, for she knew
there was no one who cared 10 inquire al
ter her She was disliked by her slep-father
and even her own mother loved the younger
children much better than che loved her
This constituted the greatest sorrow OF
Amv's life.
Going far about, and ever sad because she
had done good TO no one, she al last return
ed to the village. Now, BY the very first
cottage she came to, there lay, in a little
garden, q sick child whose mother was
gone to CLEAN in the neighboring field
Before she went, however, she had made
toy-a little windmill! put together with thin
slips of woodland had placed 1t by her
il,e son, to amuse him, and 10 make the
time appear shorter TO him during her alb
sence.
Every breath of air, however, died away
beneath the trees, SO that the tiny sails of
the windmill turned round no more. And
the sick child, missing the playful motion,
lay sorrowfully upon the green turf, under
the yellow marigolds, end wept.
Then, ANY stepped quickly over the low
garden-hedge. needless that it tore her only
Sunday frock. kneI. before the little wind
mill, and blew with all her nigh. upon its
slender sails. Thus impelled, they were
soon in merry motion, as at first. Then
the sick child laughed, and cIapped his lit
tie hands !; and Amy, delighted d! his plea
sure, was never weary of urging the sails
round and round with her breath.
Al las. the child, tired by the JOY which
the liule windmill had given him, fell fast
asleep; and Amy, warned by the evening
shadows which began TO gather round her,
turned her steps towards home. Faint and
exhausted was she, for since noon she had
eaten nothing.
When she reached the cottage door, and
stopped there for moment with beating
heart. she heard her step-fa,her's voice, loud
and quarreIsome, resounding from within.
He had Just returned from the alehouse, and
was in his well-known angry humor, which
the least cause ofirriia'io1 might swell into
q storm. Unfortunately, as Amy, trembling,
| entered the room, her torn frock caught his
eye. His passion was kindled al the sight.
Reused 10 fury in moment, he stumbled
forward, and, with his powerful fist, struck
The poor li!le child on the forehead.
Then Amy bowed her head like the
withered roses in the field, for the blow had
fallen upon her temple. As she sank, pale
and dying, to the ground, her mother, with
loud lamentations, sprang forward and
kneeled beside her. Even the stern and
angry man, suddenly sobered by his own
deed, became touched with pity.
So both the parents wep. and mourned
over Amy, and laid her upon her little couch
in the small inner chamber, and sirewed
round her green branches, various kinds
of flowers, such as marigolds and many-co-
loted poppies for the child was dead!
But, while the parents bitterly reproached
themselves, and wished they had been kind
er to poor Amy, behold wonder!
The door Of the chamber gently opened,
and The waves of the Brook, which Amy
had set free, came gently ripping by, in
the stiffness, and sprinkled the mouth and
eyes of the dead child. The cool drops
flowed into her veins, and once more set the
arrested blood in motion.
Then she again unclosed her eyes, which
80 lately had been dim and motionless. and
she head the soft waves, like gentle voices,
murmuring these words in her ear
sThs we do unto thee, in return for the
good thou ddst unto u.s."
Yet lille while, and the chamber was
again stirred by The presence of some kind
ly power.
This time it was gentle Breeze which
entered, with softly huuering wings. Ten
derly it kissed the forehead Of the child
and lovingly it brealhed lis fresh breath in
10 her bosom.
Then Amy's heart began to thrill with
quicker life, and she stretched ou, her hand
to the many col ored flowers, and rejoiced
in their beauty.
And the Breeze softly said -
81 bring thee back the breath which thou
didst exPend upon the sick child's plea
sure ~
Then Amy smiled, as if she were full ol
bliss.
When the Breeze had ceased to murmul
its soft words, an Angel came gliding in
through the low door OF the little chamber
and in his hand he held garland of fresh
frag rant roses. These he laid agrins. the
cheek Of the pale child; and, 10! they re-
stored to it The hues Of life, and they bloom
ed again. And the flowers seemed 10 whis
per-
"This we do unto thee, in return for tht
good thou didst unto us?"
And the Angel kissed Amy on the fore
i. head, eyes, and mouth and then came lift
back 10 her in its strength.
t And the Angel said 10 her.
, "Forasmuch as thou hast done good &C
3 cordng TO thy means, and thou knewes,
, not, therefore shall teniold blessing res
r upon thee %