Gazette and sentinel., 1860-04-21
The Angel and the Wanderer.

dowy figures pointing heavcnward, and
the tall mastS Of ships along the river,
like the lanccs and pennons of a hostile
armament.
scarce a footstcp echoed along the
wet pavcments: scarce a shop threw its
broad light ont into; Ec deserted streets.
1t twas latc-thc cold wind rushed, moan
ing on lis way, and the rain came heav-
NY down hlnrring the pale light Of the
pickering gas lamps.
still the angel flew on, though the
rain spared not his white wings; for he
was a good angel, and il was his mis-
sion 10 watch ovcr the hearts of young
men; 10 protect them from evil thoughts
and angry impulses; and to bring pleas
ant dreams to the SlumhcrS of those
who had been good and truthful and
obedicnt all the day.
presently he passed within sight of
a small courtyard, at the end of which
stood Il large white house with all its
windows lightcd-amd he paused in his
Hight, for he saw Il figure crouchrd up
against the wall, just within the shad-
ow of the archway that opened into the
courtyard from the street.
1T was a poor little Italian image
vendor, with his tray of plaster fi~urcs
laid beside him. His eyes were closed.
his hair fell in long damp locks over his
face, and the tears with which he had
cried himself asleep were vet his
checks. One cold hand was sheltered
in the breast of his Jacket, and the 9TH
CT had fallen l~iStlesSly on the ground.
The angel had bent low and dropped a
tear upon the little hand, it wasso vast
ed
He "a weary and sleepy and hun
CRY. He had not sold one image all
that day, and he was dreaming of his
cruel master, and of the heavy punish
ment that awaited him. But the angel
pressed his lips upon the pale forehead.
and folded his wings around the shrink
ing form, and the bad dreams fled away.
and he slept peacefully.
"Still he was chilled and weak for
need of bread, and the angels heart of
mercy was troubled. lie looked up at
the great house; It's bright windows
were crossed and r~c-croSScd by the
shadows If the dancers, and the sounds
of music and laughter were loud within.
Alas. said the angel, they are too
happy to heed me a"
"Hark , there were feet coming quick
ly along tile street 1t was a wealthy
old citizen fastening home from a card
party. He had lost money at the game,
and he was out of temper with the
weather and with himself. The angel
flew out of the passage and chung to
him.
"'Help! he cried. Help, for the cold
and hungry
The citizen shuddered and drew the
collar of his coat closer round his neck.
"'llOw the wind whistles into ones
ears muttcrcd he and passed by.
so the angel flew back, and strove
to warm his little charge by breathing
on his cold lips and eyclids; but in vain.
They grew colder and colder, and still
the music and dancing i'll the great
house went mcrrily on.
Another passenger!
1T was a poor n~ecdlewoman return
ing from her days labor. A good, earn
est woman, thinking of her children at
home, and never hearing the voice of
the appealing angel.
"'lielp 2, help he sighed. Shelter
and food; shelter and food =
"'Wha a thick, raw mistn said the
poor needle-woman. IT'S a cloud be-
fore one I! May be, though, It's the long
days work that makes my eyes weak
But ii was the two white wings that
she saw tiuttering in her path, only she
did not know it; and even the sacred
tears that he wept down upon her face
she mistook for rain-dropS borne upon
the wind-and so passed by.
Still the angel watched and waited,
and still the music and dancing in the
great house went merrily on.
The sleeper moaned and feebIy muir
INJURED Mother p
"Hc was dreaming-dreaming of his
far off home beside the blue sea. That
home where the shadows of the vine
leaves round the porch fiickered on the
floor in the bright sunshine-where his
gentle mother sat spinning on the TIRES
hold, and his little brothers played with
shells and seaweed at her feet, and all
the days wSre happy.
"Then the angel flew up to the win
dOws of the great house, and looked in,
and saw a party of merry c%hildren,dan-
cling gaily together, and a group of ell
der persons sitting by, and watching
them with smiles. The chandeliers were
shining overhead; the room rang with