Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-06-07
Gpuppr'a Glurksburg Rp8lBtpr.
LITTLECuARLIE.

nominated F" old maids" BY going qul-
city about the world, taking care not to.
iostle my neighb ors. or hit against any of
their rough angles, managed to be
cheerful, contended and happy. In my
multitudious migrations. l have had some
opportunity to study human nature. Late
y. I have become a temporary inmate OF
crowded boarding house. My little
room has already begun to look quite
home.like. The cheerful sun has expan-
ded the fragrant flowers love SO we'll to
nurture: nv canary thrills his satisfaction
E in gayer song than ever and my pic
lures, books and guitar. drive " dull care
away" and beguile many pleasant hour.
And now, my heart has found few OBJ
iects of interest. I've noticed on the stair
case, and in the hall and lobby. lovely
child, who seemed wan dering about at his
own sweet will sometimes sitting weari-
" on the stairs, almost asleep then loi-
tering at the kitchen door. watching the
operations of the cook; then peeping in
to the half open door of the different
apartments. AS by a rule of the house,
emo children were permitted at the ia.
ble," it was sometime before l could as
certain who claimed this stray waif One
morning, attracted by the carol of my ca
nary; he venture to put his curly head in
side nv door. He needed but little urging
to enter, for he read. with child's in
stinct, his welcome in my face. An ami.
mated conversation soon ensued about
birds, flowers and pictures-his large blue
eyes growing bright, and his cheek flush
ed with pleasure, as story followed story,
while he sat on my knee. At length l
said to him, " Charlie" won't mamma be
anxious about you, if you stay SO long ?"
"Oh, no." said he, Lizzie don't
care"
who is Lizzie o.
"Why. my mamma She don't care.
if I'm only out of the way. Lizzie made
me this pretty Dress" said he. holding up
his pretty embroidere frock " but Liz
gle don't know any stories.. and she says
I'm bore. What is a bore ?" said the
sweet chile as he looked trustly into my
face.
Never mind now" said 1 tearfully !;
"you may stay with me whenever you
like. and we will be very good friends"
The dinner bell sounding, gaily dress.
ed young thing vociferated in a voice any
thing but musical. Charlie Charlie !"
When apoloyized for keeping him she
said, carelessly. as she re-arranged her
bracelets, 90, it don't signify, if you can
have patience with him. he's SO tiresome
with his questions. I've bought him
heaps of toys. but lie never wants To play,
and is forever asking me such old fashion
ed questions. Keep him and welcome.
when you like. but take my word for it.
you'll repent your bargain !" and she
tripped gaily down to dinner. Poor little
Charlie Time is plenty to adjust all
those silken ringlets time to embroiAer
all those little gay dresses time to lnger
till midnight over the last new novel but
for the soul that looked forth from those
deep blue eyes, no time to SOW good seed
no time 10 watch lest the enemy should
" SOW tares."
From that time, Charlie and l were in
separable. The thoughtless mother,
well content to pass her time devouling
all sorts of trashy literature, or in idle
gossip with her drawing room companions.
The young father. weary with business
troubles. cOntenling himself with a quiet
good night" and closing the day by a
visit to the theatre or concert ROOM
Poor Charlie, meanwhile, put to bed for
safe-keeping. would lie hours, tossing
restless, from side to side, " with nothing
but his head" as he -innocently said to
me. What a JOY to sit by his side ard
beguilc the lonely hours There learn
ed to understand the meaning Of our Sa-
viour's words, For such is the kingdom
OF Heaven" In his clear. sils cry tones,
he would repeat after me, " Our father, I"
asking ME the meaning Of every petition:
then he would say, " Why don't you tell
Lizzie ? Lizzie don't know any prayers"
One night l sang him these lines:
"Swect fields beyond the swelling food,
Stand dressing in living grOon y
he raised himself in bed. while the ears
trembling on his long lashes. and said,
20, sing that again-it seems as if saw
beautiful picture !" Then taking my
guitar. would sit by his bedside, and
watch the blue eyes droop and grow hea-
w with slumber, as sang TO him. And
she whose duty, joy, and pride it should
have been to lead those little feet 10 Him
who biddeth little children COME" was
indolently and contentedly bound in flow
cry letters of her own weaving. unmind-
full that an angels destiny was entrusted
to her careless keeping. 4
Little Charlie lay tossing in his little
bed. with high fever. 1t is needless to
tell of the hold he had upon my heart
and services. His childish mother, eth =
er unable or unwilling to see his danger
had left me in charge of him-drawn
from his side by the attraction Of great
military ball. l changed his heated pill
lows, gave him the cooling draught, bathed
his feverish temples. and finally, at
his request, rocked him gently to quiet
his restLessness. He placed his little arms
carelessly about my neck. and said. Eeebly,
''sing to me of heaven" When ini shed