Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-04-28

! He would hold those in everlasting remem
brance who forgot not the widow and the or
phan," and tears of gratitude and delight wer
showering fast down the little fellows face a
| We parted.
The next morning, Hattie, received tina
letter which summoned me to my fathers dvins
bedside had, of course, no time to fulfil M
engagements with the little orphans, in whom
had become so greatly interested indeed, the
mournful circumstances which drew me once
more to the home of my childhood, banishct
them from my mind
If you will look down to that time, my lit
tie sister, you will remember that April wa:
weaving her green carpets over the meadows
before we parted, and returned to the city to
complete my studies, and then to enter that
service in which, before my fathers dying bed
| had solemnly pledged myself to spend all the
life that God should grant me-
:" had forgotten the name of the boys re.
sidence but | know that | made several at
temps to discover it after my return to the city.
all of which proved Intellectual
''It was the sunset of bright day in the
early May time, and even the great city looked
fairer for the sunshine that plated the house
tops with gold, and swept in golden flakes
and dlmples along the pavements up which /
was passing with some fellow students to sup
per.
Now, Marshall, remember to call for us in
time, for the lecture commences at seven, and
it will certainly be crowded" called out one of
my companions, us We reached the corner where
our paths divcrged.
g bowed my assent and adieu, and was hur-
rying forward, when my coat was suddenly
grasped, and an eager but timid voice said, =
" Please, sir, is your name Marshall ?"
g | turned and looked at the speaker. 1t
was u little girl, apparently about ten years
of age her long curlS falling in bright,
tangled mass about her small, sorrowful look
ing face, while her large blue eyes were fas-
tened with kind of painting eagerness upon
my own.
- Yes, that is my name And what do you
want with me, my little girl ?" Iqueried, great
ly surprised at this singular encounter
90, sir, do you remember little boy whom
you met one evening last winter who told he
had a sister Nell, and" The mystery was
at once cleared up,
:" les, yes, ! remember it all, interrupted.
" And you arc Nelly, suppose ?" and / sur
veyed the child with enchanted interest. Her
ragged garments, her pale, mournful face, bore
a very legiblc history-a history of sharp
poverty and bitter suffering.
80, | am SO glad--so very glad, sir ~ and
the light that broke into the little care-worn
face was beautiful to behold Al was almost
sure it must be you when the gentleman called
your name, and looked just as Willy said you
did o, sir have looked, and watched and
waited for you so many days, that had almost
given up hoping"
Poor child / have been out of town, or
| would have come to you as [ promised. But
where is Willy now? and what do YOU want
with me" | was we'll nigh ashamed after the
latter question was asked, her poverty answer
ed it so plainly.
40, sir Willy is sick, very sick and his face
looks so white and strange lately, | fear he is
going home to mother, sometimes You see I
got better after you sent me the cakes and
oranges, and Willy bought me some medicine
with the money you gave us, and we paid the
rent three months, SO the woman let us stay
there. But one day, about month ago, Willy
was out all day in the cold rain selling papers,
and he's SO altered now you'd hardly know him.
But he's wanted to see you so badly, and he
talks about it all the time in his sleep, and for
the last two or three days he's grown almost
wild about it, and SO Eve been out keeping
watch for you all day; and | couldn't bear to
go home at night, for Willy would spring up
in the bed, and cry out SO loud, "Nelly, have
you seen him 7" and when | shook my head. he
would lie down with such a look, that | would
90 off in one corner, and cry all alone il made
my heart ache so to see it, But now Willy
will be so glad 0, please, sir won't you go
and see him."
g | see Hattie that your eyes are growing
moist with tears and if you could have
heard the simple but touching pathos with
which that child told that sad story you would
have answered as did, Z" Yes, Nelly, will 90
now"
Willy, Willy, I've brought him I've hrot
him ~ The little hand that had guided me so
carefully up the dilapidated stairs, was with
drawn as the little girl broke into that old at
tic chamber her eager joyful tones making the
bare walls ring sgan-I've brought him I've
brought him !"
The dying daylight looked with a sweet,
solemn smile into the room, whose entire dest-
tuition one glance revealed to me- | had not
time for another for chld's head was lifted
HUH IL luScLdDlc lldltIdSS Ia Oilt COIutI. L
came forward, pair of attenuated arms were
stretched out, and those large burning eyes
fastened moment on my face as though life
or death rested ON their testimony
Yes yes, knew you would come at last"
and the little cold arms were wrapped around
my neck. 90, have watched, and prayed,
and hoped SO long, and it seemed as if you
would never come but knew you wOnld to-
day, for last night mamma came to me, look
ing so beautiful, with the flowers woven all
around her head, and a white robe flowing
down to her feet, and she smiled SO sweetly,
aud said My little Willy he will come to you
tomorrow and his coming viii be signal, for
then, too, shall come for you"
Ny tears were falling fast on the boys brown
curls but sharp pang reached my heart as
Lo c,,ol.o tL nSn rynr1S @ No WilIy Wera