The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-08

dWellng-taku not from poor orphan. his only
little inheritance. Or, il in thy mysterious but
stiil most wise and benevolent purposes thou hast
otherwlse decreed, prepare for us resting place
upon the wide, vast earth. Oh, pour this conso.
ation into our hearts, lest thy break as we wander
iiorlb, and from yonder hill turn to look for the
last time upon our house -
sobs interrupted her; weeping, she gazed to.
wards Heaven, and was silent The boy, who vet
stood with folded hands, suddenly exclaimed with
outstretched finger
Mother, looh what is that2 Yonder moves
light Yondcr flies a little star Look, there It
hurties by the windowt-Oh, see, now it comes
in! How bright, how beautiful it shines! Look,
poniy look it has agreenish light II is almost as
along the ceiling. That is wonderful!
:" is fire fly, dear Ferdinand said his
mother. In the day time it is small nnsightly
insect but in the night it gives out most beaut-
ful light"
"May catch itY" said the boy. "Wil it not
hurt me, and viii not the light burn me ~
" IL will not burn thee" said the mother and
she laughed, while the tears streamed down l,er
checks.
Catch il and examine it closer, il is one of the
wonders of Gods almighty power"
The boy entirely iorgetfn Of his sorrow, at
once tried to catch the sparkling fire fly, now on
the floor, now under the table, now under the
chair
All me, what ptym said the boy, for as he
stretched out his hand to catch the bright insect
it flew behind the great chest that stood against
the wall. He looked under the chest
I'see it plainly enough" he said; there it is
close against the wall land the white wall and the
floor and every bit of dust near 1t shines as if the
moon shone upon it; but cannot reach it my
| arm is not long enough"
Have patience, said the mother, " it will soon
come out again."
The boy waited little while, and then came to
his mother and said, with soft mploring voice
Mother, do you get it out for me or move the
chest little from the WALL and can easily catch it, !"
The mother rose, moved the cbes. from the
wall, and the boy took the quiet fire fly, examined
it in the hollow of his little hand and was delight.
ed with it.
But his mothers attention was attracted by a
different object AS she moved the chest, some
thing which had stuck between it and the wall fell
upon the floor She uttered a loud cry as she
picked it up.
" All, she exclaimed, I" now all our trouble is
over That is last years account book, which
have so long looked for in vain. thought it had
been destroyed as of no value, by strangers per-
haps, while l lay senseless during my illness ,
Now it can be shown that thy father paid the
money that they demand of US. Who would have
thought that the account book stuck behind the
great chest which we took with the cottage, and
which has not been moved since we bought t?"
She at once lighted lamp, and turned over
the leaves Uf the account, while tears of Joy
sparkled in her eyes. Everything was corr ectly
put down-the sum which her deceased husband
owed of three hundred crowns at the beginning Of
the year, and what he paid Oft in money and work
Below stood the following lines, written in old
Meyar's OWL hand
" / have settled accounts with James Bloom TO-.
day, (St. Martins day, and he now owes me fifty
crowns
The mother struck her hands together with joy
embraced her child, and exclaimed with delight
"Oh, Ferdinand, give. thanks 10 God for we
now need not leave home now we remain in
our cottage"
"And | was the cause, was | not, mother 2"
said the little fellow. "If / had not begged you
10 move the chest, you never would have found
the book. IL might have laid there hundred
years"
Tbs mother sto d for a while in silent astonish-
ment, and then said
:" Oh my child, it was Gods doings feel a
thrill of awe and reverence when reflect upon il.
Look as we both prayed and wept there came
the sparkling fre-hy, and pointed ont the spot
where this book was concealed. Yes truly Gods
hand is in all things however trihing. Nothing
comes by chance. Even the hairs Of our head are
ali numbered not one Of them falls to the ground
without his knowledge. Remember this for Thy
life long, and put thy trust in Him especially in
time Of need IL is easy for him TO aid and TO save
He does not need to send IA shining angel 20 ua
He can send US help by a winged insectm
The mother could not sleep that night lor Joy.
Soon after the break Of day she took her way To
the judge, who at once sent for the heir. He came
He acknowledged the writing as genuine, and was
n Al.
before the court and having called her liar. The
Judge declared he owed her some recompense for
the shame and great sorrow which he had caused
be-. The man was not unwilling to make atone.
ment for his Injustice
But when the poor woman had related the
whole account Of her evening prayer and the ap.
pearance of the fire fly, the judge said
That is the finger Of God he has visibly help
ed you'll"
Young Meyer, however, was much moved, and
said with tears in his eyes
"Yes, il is 20. God is the father of the widow
and the fatherlcss; and their avenger also. Par.
don me for harshness towards you. | release you
from the payment of the fifty crowns, and ifyon
are at any time in need, come to me, aud / will
assist you | now see clearly that those who
trust in God he viii never forsoke-and that con-
fdence in him is safer dependence than great
riches. And if / ever come TO want or If my wife
should be a widow and my children orphans, may
he help us also as he has helped you"
Trust always in him, and Ge as upright as this
poor widow, and help will not be wanting to you
in time Of need.
A bright child asked his mother where he shosld
60 when he diedH
" To Heaven, trust, said the mother.
"Shall / have anything to eat there?"
Yes, love, you will be fed with the bread Of
hfe"
"Well, | hope they'll putlots of butter on it,
concluded the youngster.
Fred, the prince of wlgS, was getting home
rather late, and little happy; when passing by a
dark alley, large two-fsted fellow stepped out
seized him by the collar, and demanded his mo
ney.
! Money" said Fred, "money, | have none but
if you will hold on a moment, | will give you my
note for thirty days"
dentist presented bill for the tenth time tc
| n rich akinHnt