The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24

~o'"6i 'o' ~ 10 uomoA n'6"s "So
out" n .gI.. d. Hr H T's.< .E
Tam glad We have q warm house 10 shel
ter US tonight" said Johnny.
"And we'll you may be glad" said his fa
ther, "and mol glad only, but truly thankful
] know Of one poor family which Is now shiv
ering with the cold and aching with hunger
This morning man met me, and told me
Of poor woman who had sick child; and,
said he, 4 think they need doctor, but
they are to poor to employ one.' asked
him 10 show mo the house, and when en-
tered found that doctor was indeed need
ed. A little girl, about nine years old, was
lying on the bed, very low with fever.
think she cannot live. A little boy, two
years older. cutcrvd while wss thvru witi
an armfal Of sticks, which he had picked uF
from under the snow on the common and
this, save few brands that were smoking
on the hearth, was all their fuel. The sick
girl, am afraid cannot live, and the moth.
or has no means to make her comfortable;
doubt whether any Of the family have tasted
q morsel OF supper tonight"
.'But where Is the woman's husband! asked
Mary" ... .....--
"That do not know. He has been gone
these seven years. knew him when he
was worth several thousand dollars; but q
villainous partner Of his defrauded him ol
every cent. Poor Robinson was almost
broken. hearted; he fingered about the
neighborhood for while, earning living
as he could, but finally resolved TO 60 "a
sea. His wife gave her full consent as she
was able, with economy, to provide for her.
self and children, by her needle. She did
we'll for a while, but sickness came upon
her, and she is now poor, very poor. Her
husband at different times sent her money,
and always wrole rs though he was doing
we'll. But the vessel in which he was to
have returned, three years ago, has not been
heard Of" '..
"And no was drowned!" asked two o,
three at once.
al do not know" continued the doctor
she may be living yet, but fear that he
has rerished. But my children, Mrs. Rob,
insop is poor. While you ore so cheerful
and haT py here in this comfortable house
and this bleak cold night are gathered a.
round this warm fire think Of Charly Rob
inson and bis mother. Charly has had nc
Christmas; there is no New Years for
him for his father may be at the bottom ol
the sea. His mother 10 poor, and his little
sister, fear, must die. John Mrs Rob
inson has no money to pay the DOCTOR
Shall stay home tonight J"
"No, Father" exclaimed John, eagerly
Ego and see her, and you may take my
half dollar"
"And mine," said Mary. ...
"And my cake" said Ellen. =.
"And buy Carly rocking horse," said
Willie.
,"Como, children" said Mrs. Warton
"James shall load the hand-sled with wood
and carry blanket and quilt. ! will gil I
basket with something Tor supper, and per
haps we can make them comfortable"
'But, Johnny" asked the doctor, "why
do you stand so still, while the others are
SO busy in getting something for the poor
family'"
81 was thinking father :" replied Master
johnny, "of what wo said just now-thal
our Saviour penn abou doing good; and
that Il would be more like Him, II we could
90 as veil as send. Mayn't I 90, father y
"Certainly, my son. " 40
"And father, may / go!" asked Mary,
placing her hands in her fathers, and giving
him q most beseeching look.
ats q bleak. cold night" said the doc
tor, "most too cold for my Mary, / fear
but ask your mother"
Mrs. War,on hesilated, but II was but
for moment She knew Mary could be
made comfortable for short ride, and she
was unwilling to loose so good an oppor
tunity for teaching her practical charity.
And now, while Mrs. Warton and the
children are filling the largest basket, ant
James, the hired man, is loading the SLED
and Mary and John are mufiling themselves
for the ride, we will 60 to the other f'e
side.
Far out in tho suburbs, on an open field
where The wind has full sweep this disma
stormy night, stands IN old brown house
which families, who cannot afford to pay
rent have one after another deserted, whict
would be tenantless now. but Mrs. Robin
son can find no other shelter. Within tha
house, a little boy is laying the last slicl
upon the fireplace, and tear is trinklinl
down his cl eek, which he quickly wipes
away: in the corner Of the room is low
bedstead, the covering Of which once wa
GOOD. but though clean, Is ragged and worr
now. There lay the sick girl; and he
mother, kneelng ut the bedside, was holdin,
in one hand those Of her daughter, ant
with the other was pressing her forahead.-
The wind roared without, and as it swep
by. the drifting snow beat against the rat
tiinr windows, and the Pickering aaue iron
the hearth was the only light in that dwell
ling. ...,,. ,..,,
Cd the mother. And the boy run 10 TIT
bedside. He had tried to restrain his tear
before, for fear Of growing his mother; bu
he wept bitterly now. Ava. ,,U,.
"Sarah, my child, my darling" she nltnos
shr;eked, '.must you die, now, and here u
this cold, cold spot, and your father neye
ace you again! o Heavenly Father; 70
this cup pass from me but not my will bu'
thine be done!" ,,,
A cold sweat was on The brow Of the lit'l'
suaercr, but still her eyes were bright ant
GIed upon her parent, her lips moved ant
she said "mother!" ..t, ,i.s.,
SUI The he's sound Of sleigh bells was heard at th'
door. ,,., c,.;. :.
he ran 10 the window: $50. 4.
f"isit papa!" asked the dying girl.
"No no don't say IL my child" said the
mother, ''yOu are dying md will meet psp'
The door opened, and DR.. warton enter
ID with Mary and John, and the good pas
Tor. MIR. Wiiford, all loaded with clothes ane
"Blcss you God bless you" exclaime'
Mr.. Robinson, "blcss you for coming al
this hour, my swee, girl Is dying"
The doctor walked up 70 the -4edside and
taking her hand in his. said iag iaIg ..