Smyrna times., 1860-06-07

selves the airs ofmatured age; but little Net
tie, with one hand under her bright cheek, lay
softly dreaming, happy as an angel upon her
little couch.
Every morning when Loose Ben came up to
build the fire, that dear little voice would say,
"does you love God O. and when &c had an
swered with his stereoIyped "ys -as,' she would
add in precisely the same words as before,
sadoes you pray to God in the morning :" and
again with that stupid, wandering look, he
would say, "ya-as." But there was change
ia this semi ba rbaran. Gradually the rough,
heavy locks were trained to fall back from his
low but full brows; his wood -colored face grew
clean, and his great hands evinced some mark
of attention. BY some mysterious process, his
clothes were mended, and little by little. Loose
Ben seemed TO emerge from his loutish shell
into region of more thought and freer scope.
The hotel loungers still jeered him, still called
him all kinds of strange and original Names
but be did not mind them, and had one seen
him going up TO his daily duty to room Sc,
smile might have been detected lighting up his
homely face, till it was almost handsome. And
as he entered day after day, came the same
questions about love and prayer.
One Sabbath morning, never-to-be forgotten
day, (for l am telling no story of fiction, dear
reader,) the rap came as usual to room So, and
when the door was opened, in walked Loose
Ben, worthy ofthe name no longer. He brought
the wood, not in the usual way. but in bask-
ct, and, wonder, of wonders! he was attired in
a neat, grey suit, from head to foot, and under
his left arm he carried straw hat, bound with
black ribbon. Leisurely be went to the hearth
stone aud Ieisurely set the kindlings and the
wood in their place. Then be turned round to
look for Anioinette. A little voice came from
sl,o AZ 1oAo Iowa
Godi Does you pray in the morning g.
The boy drew his hands before his eyes, and
as Netlie made herself visible, he went towards
her, and fell upon his knees at her feet.
I" You dear little angel" he sobbed, taking
her dimpled hand and covering it with kisses.
F" Every moraing you ask me that, and every
morning lie to you. Yes. lie to you. for
no love GSd as you say. Then you ask me if
/ pray every morning, and lie to you again,
and Replying to you, because didn't know
no better, because poor, ignorant Dutch boy.
/ But this morning, you deas little angel, tell
you | EoUe God. tell you pray to God, yes,
/ love, pray" he added, the tears running
down his coarse cheeks, while Mr.. and Mrs.
Hayden stood looking on full of astonishment.
" You made me go to God, you little angel
you made me pray to God, and tell you no lie
any longer. o. when you did ask me first, |
knew not what to make of it, and think it no
harm to say yass. But when you ask again,
and keep asking, | keep thinking what you
mean. Ii seem to me my heart was very
wicked, and | come to tremble as laid my
hand on the latch Of the door, for knew what
you would ask me, you sweet little angel you
, And now have found God, | come to thank you
on my knees that you did ask me-ohl yes
blessed be God"
Tears choked his utterance; Antoinette
scarcely knowing what il all meant, stood look
ing gravely towards him, a childish wonder il
her face, until John Hayden snatched her frou
the floor and folded her with many kisses 4
his bosom.
The scene changes to HANDSOME dwelling
: In the city. Snow lays on all the streets, whit
! and glitter.ng-the naked trees, the gray cap
of the houses, the iron ratings, all are robed i
: the shroud of the autumn days. All 4! som
cold wind, some snow has entered that house
! the white drapery of tae windows is unified
: children go in and come out again with sor
= rowful faces; the passing traveller looks mourn
: fully up as he wanders by there must be gloor
: in that house; yes, the wsite snow of deaf
. lays upon the forehead of an only child. n
J. She is in her coffin now, with roses aboy
her pale bosom, and the little silver plate say
: 10 her mission done so soon! Does the ang'
= battle her wings in the light of heaven Eve
! SO.
0. In darkened chamber sat the mother
,e this lovely flower, bearing her grief aione vii
Is God. No sigh breke from her bosom, 40 tel
d tell from her eye; she looked calm. she WI
4 calm, but resigned as she evidently was, Il
A. stern inlmobility Of her features told that gri
If deeper than could find any outlet lay heavy
ID her heart.
ID Rising up after her long vigil, she we
ct noisessy down stairs towards the room whe
or her child slept the last, long sleep. AS 81
or was entering, voice struck her ear, as if son
re long remembered music had but now sounde'
ne the chord vibrated against her heart. 3
nd paused the voice asked for Antoineste--Iitl
ne Antonette Hayden, and another voice mour
fully murmured the sad truth.
to .Desd!" exclaimed the stranger, " liz
ed angel, deadi'
cs And then came feet along the passage
We tall, dark man stood before her.
"You do not know nae, Mrs. Hayden"
ly. said, as AFTER moolent, striving TO possess
'p- selfcommaad, be spoke.
81 do not, indeed, replied the bereayed mo
~ er in low tones.
nd All /! my dear madam, am he when W
ra cbild's artless questions, morning alter mo
ing. pierced to the heart; am poor Loose /
ne --now, thank God, preacher oi'righleousne
nus Day and night have the lovely features OF d
me angel babe been before my vision. Every mo
; ing the clear, swept tones have sounded on
ha' ear" does you love God - an oh | have co
4 home 10 find her 10 heaven. lie bowed
nss head and wept, then softly followed the mou
dra ing mother into The shaded paror. Death
ook not kissed even thu freshness from the lip
's- The sweet child. Death, as if he bad no b
sat or to mar spch Iovrliness. had not drawn
wed blue tint seross the marble temples OF az
il Of The closed eyes. Death had not stolen
b q line OF beauty from that heavenly face
DILL smiled in spite Of death.
otae sOtAnsoinette- dear, little Antoinel
'aoo sobbed the strong nlan--" yon found me 10
lru. ignorance. and blessed me with those
ana' hands; they were the first pure fingers
osee touched me with tie touch Of love. and y