Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-29
From Arthur's Home Magazine
Blessed Children.

AS Mr.. Andrew Freeman came up 20 the
door of his elegant. home. little before
sun down, one pleasant Autumn day, he
saw coarsely- dressed child, some seven or
eight years old, sitting upon the door step,
with basket by her side containing some
chips gathered at a carpenter shop. WearI-
ed with her heavy load, she had stopped to
rest herself.
Something had gone wrong with Mr.. Free
man, and he did not feel in pleasant hun or.
The sight of the child and her basket, both
occupying the white marble steps that led
up to HIS handsome dwelling, annoyed him.
They looked out Of place, were :ncOngru.
Gus, and blurred the fair entrance to his
home.
"Get away from here!" he said, roughly,
as he came up to the doorway.
The child started, looked frightened, and
taking up her basket, went hurriedy down
the street.
"The little vagrants!" CALCULATED Mr..
Freeman, as he swung open the door of his
luxurious home. They should't be per-
mi!ted to prowl the streets in this way
watching around gates and doorways for a
good chance to steal. If had my will of
them, every one should be taken up and sent
to the workhouse.''
If elegance and comfort at home could
make man happy, then was Mr.. Freeman
one of earth's favored ones. But, the heart
makes its own paradise The mere ex-
,ernals of mans life have far less to do
with his happiness than most of US try 20
believe. On every eide beauty, elegance,
taste and comfort met the eyes of Mr.. Free
man, but they had no power to dispel the
shadows that drawn around his spirit
"Who were you speaking to at the door!"
asked his wife as she met him in the pass
age.
"a dirty little vagrant" he replied; "who
was hanging about cur doorstep with her
greasy basket"
Mrs. Freeman did not reply. She had
looked from one Of the par!or windows
short time before, and noticed very little
girl with basket of chips too large aud
heavy for one of her strength, almost drag
ging instead of carrying it along. And she
| A-I aisn seen her stop and sit down to rest
on their doorstep. Pity was in her heart
for the child, who was poorly clad yet clean.
In her plain face was a gentle express
sion, Mrs. Freeman sighed as she thought
that this was the child just driven off with
angry words by her unreaecting husband
"Where is Grace!" asked Mr.. Freeman,
on going from the parlors into the sitting
room.
Fanny took her out walking" replied
Mrs. Freeman. "But she will be home
soon. | am looking for their return every
moment"
Mr.. Freeman was disappointed at not
seeing his little pet, and this only increased
the i'll nature from which he was suffering
as disesse. lie sat down, in q moody
state of mind, and replied only in monosyl-
lables to ths various remarks of his wife
He did not speak unkindIy to her, for that
was something of which he had never been
guilty. But he took no interest in what
a., she said; and she failed entirely in her ef-
forts to throw a sunbeam into his mind.
Presently the bell was heard TO ring. Mr..
Freeman raised his head and listened. A
few moments elapsed--then the door was
opened, and a voice. musical az a wind
q harp to the ears of Mr.. freeman, came
ringing along the passages. 1t was Grace
his darling chid-the sunbeam in his dwell.
! ling.
!. HAS Papa come home," he heard her
A ask.
"Yes, love-" he called to her, Papa i,
home. Come up here you little runaway!
j. How changed, suddenly. were both tone
and manner. Up the stairs bounded Ii,
!, fairy-foote child, and was soon in her
" fathers arms, clasping his neck, and cover
70 ing his face with kisses. Away went III,