Kenosha tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1855, 1855-05-10
LITTLE EVA'S PRAYER.
BY HAGAR.

Eagerly up the crazy old staircase sprang
a light bounding step, and softly through
the dim hall echoed HE music of child's
voice, bearing in its strain something Joy
full and exuting-a sound that for years
had not found its wayt to that gloomy den
of poverty. The child had paused before
the closed door of an apartment which i'm
mediatelv opened as those ringing tones
reached the listing car Of its inmate. and a
woman still young and very beautiful, des-
pie the wan. hasgan expression of her
face, stood upon the threshold.
MY own Eva!' she exclaimed. clasping
the halle girl tenderly in her arms, and
bending over her with all the mothers
fondness beamin. from hereyes, why have
you tar'ied so long, darling? Three long,
and to me weary, hours have passed since
YOU went away. and have been SO fearful
%, so learfull-that some accident had
befaIlen you! Icould not afford. she add :
ed, with "a faint smile, to lose you, just
now, for you are all | have to love in this
world, my Eva
There was an inexpiessible sadness WISH
bic in the speakers tones, and the bright.
glad look which had irradiated the sweet
face of the child. vanished like sunlight
from snow wreath. giving place to one Of
mingled sorrow and reproach.
i am SO sorry, dear mamma, to have
frightened you sol she said. eagerly, but
indeed, indeed | couldn't help it. l got
lost in a great wide street | had never been
In before, and AT last | set down on door
step quiet tired out, md cried because was
afraid | would never Gud my way home
again; and then IA kind stran &c gentleman
%, SO gool AMI noble!-s,opped and ask
ed me wtas. was the matter. and when
ioli him. he took my hand. an offered
% show me the way back; AMI then, as we
walked along. he asked all about Us, AMI
told han how poor We were, and how
how-' (h"re i.ie WORDS came almost hest
t,insIy, Papa woul! drink bad liquor,
that made him cross and angry; and he sail
something about its being a great pity, and
he said be would come and See us and
when he babe me goodbye, lie gave me
this See!' and the child help up shin
ing piece of gold to her mothers gaze
Mrs Clayton took the money almost me-
chemically. while a deep flush mounted her
pale cheek.
Have we indeed fallen SO low that the
hand OF charity should be extended to us!'
She murmured bitterly: o, my God. why
has it come thiS!' and then, with sudden
reyulsion Of feeling, she cried, Father, Tor
give me, know not what | say! And, o,
let thy choicest blessing, b. showered up
on the path of our generous unknown ben
.facsor, whose muniticent gift will bring
many comforts unused to our gloomy abode!
and sinking upon her knees. while tears of
mingled JOY and grief sufused her eyes
she drew one arm around Eva's form, MUIR
muring, Pray for me, darling. have been
sinful anticipating. to-day, and cannot pray
as ought And while she knelt there,
upon the air arose those clear, meloiious
tones, and up to The throne of grace tioated
that childish petision, simply worded but
none the less needed. For does not God
love little children, and hath he not said
''Suffer them to come unto me. and forbid
them not, for Of such is the kingdom Of
Heaven"
1t was with a spirit su5dued and chasten-
ed that Mrs. Clayton arose from her knees.
The prayer had sounded 10 her almost like
reproach aud displayed her own discon-
tent in clearer light. Il will never COM
plain again, she mentally exclaimed; but
take lesson from my gentle, patient child!
For several moments she did not speak,
but remained silently gazing, half-mourn-
fully. halffearfully down upon the face.
now nesting against her bosom. DID she
read. in the pure depths Of those eyes--in
the spiritual o,l,ness Of those ms;chless fea-
tures-a look such as angels might have
worn orwhy did she clasp her closer in those
sheltering arms, mentally circulating. She
is one OF Gods chosen | never can hope
to keep her long
And then when the little girl looked up.
startled BY the movement, she sooshed her
bv kind words and carresses.
You are looking pale and tired. she said
twinng carlessIy those curls of pale gold
around her clasped fingers. Your long
walk has been to much for you, and moth
ing but a good, sound sleep will recover
your exhausted spirits Do you not see
that the sun has already gone to rest and
thu. Your hour of retiring has GOMEZ
Let me stay up lille while longer.
please. pleaded the child so wirningly that
she was not refused.
Twilight deepened into night. Myriads
of stars stole out into the quiet sky, follow
ed in the train OF the btight-orbed moon.
whose silvery rays peeped through the un-
uncurtained window, and rested
lovingly upon the golden curls OF Eva. who
sill lay with her heal pillowed upon her
mothers bosom. For lon-, time she had
remained silent. and so mo,ionless that one
would have deemed her asleep, but that the
bright eyes were wide open. AMI liked earn
es,ly upon the face bending over her. There
was sad troubled light burning IN their
clear depths and Mrs. Clayton bent still
lower to read more clearly their expression,