Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-17
Gb0ite giteratura
From the Little Pilgrim.
THE CUP OF, COLD WATER.
ny ALADY OF RALEIGH, n. q.

Roses, literally eafpeted tire forests Of our
dear Carolina, three little bows set out on
lainble ID sIaese aowery wiids--on the !
borders ef the isius Trent 'heir fsh
ing tackle was not forgotten, as they knew /
that the river aboundcd in Robins and Sill /
yer Perch and others of the fnny tribe, I
meat for their mothers frying pan, and an
acceptable offering to maternal care Each /
little boy carried a small tin bucket, within |
which was their dinner. and which on their
return home would contain goodly num-
Der Of honeysuclle apples or Strawberries,
or at all events a bright nosegay of wild
flowers for their mothers or sisters.
The names Of these boys were Tommy
Fearless, Sammy Careless, and Harry Heart
less Ofcourse my little readers will read
lily perceive from. the diversity of their
names, that they were not all the chiIden1
of the same parents However, they were
next door neighbors. The father of Tom
my Fearless was carpenter, that of Sam
my Careless a shoemaker, and Of Harry
Heartless day-aborer-all 'front.' he huma
bier walks of life.
Only one of these boys attended Sunday
sehoel, and this was Tommy Fearless, be
ing ten years old at this time. Sammy
and Harry were year or two older than
Tommy, having advanced thus far in the
Journey Of life without the soul nurturing
care Of a Christian mother, or even the oc-
casionaLteaching of aSunday though
this great privilege bad been repeatedly
offered to- them. Their parents were
thoughtiess, ungodly people, totally un4
mindflh OF their responsible office, as repre-
sentatives Of the great Parent and Gov
ernor Of all, to guide their offspring in
the path of duty. Having stated these
melancholy facts, my little readers will ut
a glance perceive what kind of boys these
were; particularly as | have no doubt they
all are acquainted with the words Of the
blessed Savior, when he said "a good
tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither
can corrupt tree bring forth good fruit !"
and "Men do not gather grapes of thorns
or figs of THISTLE. Therefore, rejoice and
be thankful, you who have Christian par
ents, or faithful teachers.
Well, these three boys had enjoyed theil
| days rambEe-had angled in the river, hac
filled theirbuckets with honeysuckle apples
! and other products of. the woods, and hac
/ turned their faces homewaEd when sud
! denly they heard piercing groans. and a
! intervals shrieks OF agony, mingled with ths
blythe notes of the neyer>silent mockine
bird Our little travellers paused and look
ed at each other in CONSERVATION.
:. ooh what can that e!'' said Tommy
;. What can it be ?" responded Sammy
! ave must search and find the sufferer,
;, said Tommy : perhaps we may give som
!, relief'"-
| Il can,telf you, answered Harry. 4" tn
= groaEs come from a poor sailor in yQnde
cabin. De you not see it Just inside, tha
large oak tree %,
Oh! yes, wesee it" said the other boy
, "but who is this saiIorr' ..
He is man." replied Harry, 4who ws
3 brought from. Oh board vessel from th
= West Indies sand be has that dreadful d
$ ease. e.the small pox. He is placed. here
t be attended to, till he either dies or reco7
{ ers for if he were suffered to remain
. town, great many persons might take IL
disease and die. Let us run away as ia
as>we- can, boys, OF we shall have the sma
pox toe"
~Oh how dreadfully he mpans,' sa
l. Tommy.
"Poor fellow, y said Sammy, though |
began to move off after Harry, who on
n paused moment till the others shol
q follow him.
n Let us, go to, the poor man." said Tor
my, who stood still, as if thinking if it we
r. right to leave the sufferer without SEER
o that he could render. him. any assistance.
,f ",Come along, boys" urged Harry, {
! we too shall take this terrible disease al
q be left out here in the woods to. die"
q "Let us run as fast as we car" sa
: Sammy, yet Tommy stood still.
# "You had better come along after us
h said the two boys, %for if you get this
4 ease, even your father and mother will n
be permitted to nurse you, or even vi
- Jon, and you will surely die out here
a. these woods"
"Oh come along, come along urg
both the boys" All this while the piteo
cries continued, and the boys were nc
70 enough to hear the words which issued frc
IN the sufferer.
n "Oh," said the voice for one drop
e. cool water on this buEaing tongue. l sh
II. burn up with thirst. Is there no one W
for the love of Christ will give me one dr
81 of cold water before | die"
na The boys listened, and turned pale W
it's horror if not with compassion.
t | 81 cannot GO on, boys said Tolnl
ur Fearless, 'f you are afraid. go on sh
pt give this man cup of cold water befor
hy leave the woods; and | am sure if yan
81 81 been to the Sunday-school and heard q
no no read what have. you could not find it
,se your hearts to turn away from the cries
,ur this sufferer"
It's "What was it you heard asked
na- other boys, whom the earnestly compassi
ON ate countenance of Tommy had compel
'g1 to pause in their heartless flight.
Il "My last Sundays Biblo lesson con
of ued Tommy, "contained words which
| of be addressed to the wicked at the OIL
ght1 day of judgement by our Redeemer
In Judge was thirsty, and We gave me
OF drink was sick, and ye visited me
not Sweet juicy excrescences on the bran,
our Of tie honeysuckle, very cool and grateft
the taste