Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-04-13
uuutb's Department.
THE LITTLE BOUND BOYS DREAM.

THE LITTLE BOUND BOYS DREAM.
BY MRS NJ A. DENNrsoN.
A little hir-haired child laid its pale check
against pillow Of straw.
1t had toied up three pairs Of stairs to
gain its miserable garrett, for it was a little
bound child that had neither father nor
mother no soft bed awaited its tired limbs,
but miserable pallet with one thin coyerlid.
II had neither lamp nor candle to tighten
the room, if such it might be called still
that was not so bad, for the beautiful round
moon smiled in upon the poor bound boy, and
almost kissed his forehead, as his sad eyes
closed dreamily.
But after a while as he lay there, what
wonderous change came over the place. A
great light shown down, the huge black raft
ors turned to solid gold, and these seemed all
studded with tiny, precious, sparkling stones.
The broken floor, too, was encrusted with
shining crystals, and the child raised himself
upon his elbow, and gazed with half fear
ing. half delighted look upon the glorious
spectacle
One spot on the wall seemed too bright for
his vision to endure, but presently, as il
emerging from it, came a soft, white figure,
that stood by the poor bound boys bedside.
The child shut his eyes he was little,
only a little, frightened, and his heart beat
quickly but he found breath to murmur-
Tell me, who are you
Look up, be not afraid said a sweet voice
that sounded like the harps of Heaven look
up, darling-I am your brother Willie, sent
down from the angels to speak with you, and
tell you TO bear all your sorrow patiently, for
you will soon be with us.
What, you my brother Willios Oh, no,
no, that cannot be. My brother Willie was
very pale, and his clothes were patched and
torn and there was hump on his back, and
he used to go into the muddy streets and
pick up his bits of wood and chips. But
your face is quite too handsome, and your
clothing prettier than ever l saw before; and
there is no ugly hump on yonr back. Be
sides. my brother Willie is dead, long ago
Il am your brother Willie, your immortal
brother; my body with the ugly hump is
dead and turned into ashes but just as that
died went up to the great heavens and saw
sights that cannot tell you about now, they
were so very, very beautiful. But God, who
is your Father and the holy one of Eternity
gave me these bright garments that never ge
soiled, and | was so happy that expect my
face was changed very much, and grew tai
and straight; SO it is no wonder you do moi
know me-
And now the little bound boys tears began
to fall.
'Ohr he exclaimed, If l. too, could go to
heaven
You can CO. replied the angel, with q
smile of afiabe sweetness; you have learned
how to read =
yes. a little
We'll, tomorrow get your Bible, and fin,
very reyercntly--lor it is Gods most hol,
book--these words of the Lord Jesus Blu
say unto you, love your enemies bless
them that curse you, do good 20 them tina
hate you, and pray for them which despite
fully use and prosecute you.
DO all these, and you shall be the child @
your Father which is above
Even if they beat me ! murmured the lii
tie bound boy, with quiycrns lip
A ray of light flashed across the angel
face as he replied, the more you forgive, tn
nearer you will be to Heaven
In another moment the vision had gone
but still the room was all blazing with un
earthly radiance.
AS the little boy fell back upon his pillow
his wan face reflected the angels smile, an,
be thought, Il will forgive them, even though
they should beat me-
Suddenly a more musical voice than IN
former fell upon his ear. This time he wa
not afraid, but setting up in his miserabl
couch, he saw a figure that seemed to lift il
self TO the wall a ray of intense brightness
outlined all its form; its eyes blazed, y,
there was mild beauty in them every tim
they looked into his own.
Little one am your father, said the forr
in melting accents.
Il don't think you can be my father, whis
pered the boy timdly. My father used {
look very old indeed; and be got hurt an
wore a crutch there were wrinkles on hi
face, and all over his forehead, and his hal
was short and white; not long like your
And my father used to stoop over, and wep
little black apron, and put patches on shoe
in little dark room
And what else 2
He used to pray and sing very sweetly. bu
never hear any praying and singing now
sobbed the child.
Don't cry, dear little boy, but listen to IN,
am your father, your immortal father this
poor, lame boy is gone now, mingled with n
dust in the grave yard. As soon as the breat
left that deiormed body, was with the shin
ing angels, hosts and hosts Of them bore n
up to heaven, and the King Of that glorior
place clothed me in these robes, white an
stainless, and gave me this tall, beautiful bod,
which shall never feel corruption And thi
was the reason, dear little orphan, because
loved Hin. and my chief delight was in pra,
ing TO Him, and talking about him. and a
though was very poor, tried 20 be honos