Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-04-04

asked him 10. show me the house, and
when entered found that doctor wa
indeed needed. little girl, about nine
years old wos lying on the bed very low
with lever. A liule boy two years ol.
der, entered while was there with an
ufmlul Of sticks, which he had picked
mp under the snow on the common; and
this, save few Brands that were smok.
ing on the hearth, was all their fuel.
The sick girl, am afraid, cannot live,
and the mother has no means TO make
her comfortable. | doubt whether any
Of the family have tasted a monel Of
supper to. .nigh'."
But wher. 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 vIllainous partner OF his
delrauded him Of every cent. Poor Rob.
inson was almost bioken.h hearted; he
fingered about in the neighborhood for
awhile, earning living as he could,
but finally resolved to 60 10 sea.-His
wife gave her full consent; as she was
able, with economy, to provide ior her.
sell and the children, by her needle.
She did well for awhile, but sickness
came upon her, and she is now poor,
very. Her husband at different times
sent her money, and always wrote as
though he was doing we'll. Blu, the yes.
sci in which he was TO have returned,
three years ago has not been heard Of
And he was drowncd? asked two or
three al once.
q do not know continued the doc.
tor; she may be living YET, but fear that
he has pershel. But, my children,
Mrs. Robinson is poor. While you are
so cheerful end Apply here in this com.
Portable house, and you, on this bleak,
cold night. are gathered around this
warm ffe. think of Charley IRobinson
and his mother. Charley has had no
christmas; there is no New Year for
him; for his father may be at the bottom
of the sea. HE mother is poor. and his
little sister, fear, must die John! Mrs.
Robinson has no money TO pay the doc.
tor. Shall stay at home tonight
NO, father exclaimed John eagerly;
so and see her, and you may take my
half dollar along
'And mine said Mary.
And my cake said Ellen.
'-And buy Charley rocking horse,
said Wiley.
Come, Children said Mrs. Warton,
James shall load the hand sled with
wood, and carry blanket and quilt.
will fill basket with something com
Portable for supper, and perhaps we can
make them comfortable
But, Johnny asked the doctor, why
do YOU stand so still, while others are
busy in getting something for the poor
lamily?
,, Il was thinking. father replied Mas.
ter Johnny, of what we said just now
that our Saviour went about doing good
and that it would be more like Him, i
: we would go as we'll as send. Mayn'
l go, father
Certainly, my son.
'And father, may'I GOT asked Mary
placing her hands in her fathers, an,
y giving him most beseeching look.
9 'lt is bleak, cold night said III
= doctor, most TOO cold for my Mary,
fear; but ask your mother
u Mrs. Warton hesitatcd but only for
: moment.
P She knew that Mary could be mad
comfortable for the short ride, and wa
unwilling TO lose so good an opportuni
ly for teaching her practical charity.
81 Aud now, while Mrs. Warton and tn
children are filling the large baske,,an
James, the hired man, is loading lh
. sled, and Mary and John are muffin
i, themselves for the ride, we will go t
u the other freside. '+.
Far out in the suburbs, on an ope
~ field, where the wind has full sweep,thi
dismal. stormy night, stands an oil
brown house, which families who cannt
pay rent, have one after another deser
ed, and ii would be tenan,less now, b,
Mrs. Robinson can find no other she
ter. Il Within the house little boy
laying the last stick on the fire plac
IS and tear is trickling down his chcel
which he quickly wipes away; in Il
ia orner ofa room is a low betlstead, II
, covering Of which once was good, b
"a ia though clean, is ragged and worn no,
W y. There lay the girl; and her mothe
.s kneeling at the bedside, was holding
~ one hand those other daughter, and wi
:, the other was pressing her forehea
a. The wind roared without, and as
:. swept by, the drifting snow beat again
~ the rafting windows, and the aickeril
flame from the hearth was the only lig
ed in that dwelling.
cir She is dying, my darling sobbetl t
cir mother. And the boy ran to the be
he side. He had tried 10 restrain his tea
rs before lor fear Of grieving his moth
Ter but he wept bitterly now.
de Sarah, my child, my darlingI S
ell almost shricked, must you die no
and here is the cold, cold spot, a
aid your father never see you again? c
ds. Heavenly Father, let this cup pass frt
is me, nevertheless not my will, but thi
in be DONE re i2e
no A cold sweat was on tho brow Of
to little sufferer, but still her eyes W
gl. bright. and fixed upon her parent,
the lips moved, and she said mother q
Srrt - a Il