The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-10-03
The Orphan Boys Dream.

dark STAIRS 10 go IN. .liS miserable garTet, lor
it was little bound boy, that had neither
father nor mother SO no soft bed awaited
, It's tired limbs, but miserable pallet with
one thin coverlid.
1t Lad neither lamp nor candle TO tighten
the room, If such it might be called still
that was not so bad, for The beautiful round
mood smiled in upon The poor bound boy.
and almost kissed his forehead as his sad
eyes closed ,ireamiIy.
But after awhile. as he lay there, what
wonderous change came over the place
A great light shone down, the huge black
raflers turned 10 solid gold, and these seem
ed all studded with tiny, precious slones-
The broken floor, too, was encrusIed with
shining crystals, and the child raised him
self upon his elbow, and gaZed with half
fearing half delighted look upon the glori-
Gus spectacle.
One spot on the wall seemed too bright
for his vision 10 endure, but presently, as it
emerging from it, came solt white figure,
that stood by the poor bound boys bedside
The child shut his eyes he was ID little
frightened, aud his heart beat quickly, but
he found breath 10 murmnr-
"rell me, who are you l'
"Look up, be not afraid" said sweet
v1ce that sounded like the harps of Heav-
en- "look up darling-I am your brother
Willie, sent down from the angels TO speak
with you, and tell you TO bear all your sor
L. 4 l. ..,I
"What, you my brother Willie! Oh, no,
no, that canno: be. My brother Willie was
very pale, aud his clothes were patched and
torn; and there was a lump on his back,
and he used 10 go into the muddy streets
and pick up bits Of wood aud chips Bnt
your face is quite handsome, aud your
clothing is preiter than ever saw before ::
and there is no ugly hump on your back
Besides, my brother Willie is dead, long
ago"
81 am your brother Willie, you immortal
brother; my body with the ugly lump is
dead and turned 10 ashes; but j1st that
died, i went up 10 the great heavens and
saw sights that | cannot tell yon about now,
your Father, and the holy one of eternity,
gave me these bright gurments that never
got soiled, aud was so happy that all ex-
cept my face was changed very much, and
| grew tall and straight; SO it is no wonder
you do not know me"
And 10 the little bound child's tears be
gan 10 fall.
"Oh r' be exclaimed, ''If l. too, could go
10 heaven "
"You can CO." replied the angel, with
smile of ineffable sweetness 'you have
learned how to read ?'
ayes little"
"Well, tomorrow get your Bible and FIND
very reverently- for il is Gods most holy
| say uaio you, love your enemies bless
them thai hate you, and pray for them that
des spiefully use and persecute you"
Do all these, and you shall be The child
OF your Father which is above"
Even il they beat ~ murmured The
little bound boy, with a quivering lip.
A ray OF light flashed across the angels
face as he replied, 'lhe more you forgive,
the nearer you will be TO Heaven "
In another moment The vision had gone,
but still The moon was all blazing with un-
earthly radiance.
As the ll,le boy fell back upon his pill
low, his wan face reflected the angels
smile, and he thought, al will forgive them,
even though they should beat me"
Suddenly more musical voice than the
former Tell upon his ear. This time he was
not afraid, but sitting mp in his miserable
couch. he saw figure that seemed To lift
itself 10 the wall a ray of intense bright
ness outlined all It's form; lis eyes bIazeG,
yet there was mild beauty in them every
time In. looked into his own.
"Lule one, ! am your father" said the
form in melting accents.
Il don't think you can be my father ="
whispered The boy timidly. My father
used 10 look very old indeed and GOT hurt
and wore crutch; there were wrinkles on
his face, and all over his forehead and his
hair was short and white not long like
yours And my father used 10 stoop over,
and wear lille black apron, and put
patches on shoes in liule dark room"
s.And what else i'
ale used TO pray and sing very swsetiv,
but never hear praying and singing now
sobbed the child
"Don't cry, dear l:,,le boy, but listen 10
mo | am vonr father your i'm mortal ather.
that poor. lame body is gone now, mingled
with The dirt in The grave yard. As soon as
the breath left that defomed body, was
with the shining angels, hosts and hosts o
them bore me up TO heaven and the Kina