The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-01-06

ana heafd his imp!orlng voice
Il am very sorry; don't shut ine up in
the dark, not in the dark, dear father" "
But he unclasped his little clingiug hands
and shut and locked the door.
Poor Charley-he sat trem bling upon
the cold floor, and heard his mother sad
voice, and his fathers angry words, till
at last ali was still, and he thought they
slept, though.it it was strange that mother
could leave him alone. lie did not know
that she lay insensible from the effect OF
blow by bis brutal father, before start
ing to spend the night at the tavern.
1t was very dark down in that
damp cellar aud Charley always loved to
see light somewhere; but be was brave
little fellow, and to pass the time away,
and to give him pleasant thoughts, be
sang very lofty part of his little hymn:
"He who spread ont the sky,
That broad blue canopy
Who made the glorious sun,
The moon to shine by night,
The stars with eyes so bright,
He tOueS thee little one:
repeated the last line with great empha-
sis, to encourage himself,
"He loves thee little one
And Charlcy's mother, half recovering
from her strange stupor-smiled. for she
thought she heard the far echoes OF some
angel choir, and she dreamed of heaven.
But poor Charley did not dare sleep, for
in the midst OF his singing he heard
very strange noise, and bis brage little
heart began to beat. But he said to hiul-
self courageously: ITS rat, Charley
[ know it's rat" but his lips quivered
sadly. Soon there was long, low growl,
and Charley clasped his little hands and
prayed 80 God, if that is lion or
bear, do shut up its mouth and make bin
stay the other side of the cellar; don't
let it eat me-" But no! it was poor Rover,
who had discovered that Charley was
there, and finding hole through which
to thrust his dear, faithful nose, was try
ing to tell bin that he sympathized with
him. So Charley very gladly crawled
over as near Rover as he could, and lay
ing bis curly head upon the ground, over
come with WEAKNESS, be slept. When
Charley's mother was conscious enough
to remember all that happened, she tried
to raise and release her little boy but
when she had dragged herselfto the door,
she bad DO strength to burst the lock and
SO sat helpless and miserable till morning.
In the first gray dawn, her husband came
sulleDly home, and throwing her the key,
told her to "bring the rascal up, If he
could behave"
When Charley was aroused from the
troubled sleep, he was too stiff and sore
to walk, and he was carried up and placed
upon bis little bed All day long be
seemed in pain, and at night heavy fever
set 10. His cheeks glowed brightly and
a wild light cleaned in his troubled eyes.
A few days past, and it was Charley S
birthday, but he did not know it. Hej
was talking-talking all the time-but
his mother wept to hear him and his
now sober father, as he stood by his bed,
was filed with remorse. Sometimes Char
leg would beg not to be left in the dark,
sometimes he would fancy some terrible
animal near him, and call TO bis mother
in an agony of terror; and sometimes, 10
his doliriuin, he would hold long talk with
Rover. Then the poor dog, who lay by
his bedside, would lift his long siIkcn
ears, and with eyes full of distress give a
long, mournful whine. 1t was raining too
and Charley seemed to know it and De
troubled.
But at last he slept, when he awoke it
was late in the evening. Charley turned
bis languid eyes, and smiled to see his
patient, loving mother beside him.
"Does it rain uow!' he asked family,
as she ciasped him in her arms.
"No, dear Charley"
"May | see the stars then 7" and she
carried him to the window.
It was a beautiful sight after storm and
Charley gave long sign of pleasure
After gazing long time upon the brill
liant sky, he said softly
''If any Que should die tonight, mo-
ther, it would be very bright all the way
to heaven" Then he folded his fair little
palms, aud the long lashes dropped wea-
rily upon his pale checks.
"He ia very tired and sleeps again
said his mother.
But old Aunt Katy, who stood near,
took in her wripkled hand one slender
wrist and found it pulsolesS, and said,
weeping
"Would I were in Thy place, sleep
lamb for thy happy little spirit has gone
home and far beyond the stars the pure
in heart has had its long desire, and is
looking upon God"
Charley's father took q solemn vow
over the motiouIess form of his little son.
and from that bitter hour was changed
and better man, striving ever to comfort
bis broken hearted wife, who never again
received aught but kindness from lip or
hand of her husband.
But Rover mourned aud pined daily, I
and the SHOWS Of early winter found him
dead upon Charley's grave. N Y. EU.