Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-12-20
Mark Aliens Angel.

| In dark, Scant1ly iurnlshedt cHecioss
looking room, in the basement If an old
house standing in the suburbs Of one OF
our large cities, sat man, apparently IN
the prime Of life and yet bowed almost to
earth by some terrible anguish. He sat,
his hat souchcd over his eyes, his face
buried in his hands, and the stern con-
fict of his soul, that found no audible ex-
preston, causing his strong frame to
tremble like the leaves of the aspen.
On a hard, meanly covered bed, in ono
corner OF the room, lay woman still
young and beauti iul, bu', oh so thin, so
pale, so pinched by hunger, cold and suf-
fering, that it makes ones heart faint to
think of it. BY her side was a wailing
infant scarcely one month old, vainly en-
deavoring to draw nutrimcnt from n
breast almost insensible to its claims.
On the foot of the bed, striving to
keep themselves warm by nesting closo
together, were two other children, a boy
of five summers, and girl who had not
yet seen three.
For long, long time, the silence of
despair which seemed to fill the place had
been broken only by the feeble and pitc-
Gus cry of the baby. But just as the
first gray light of coming day appeared,
the boy lifted up his head, and
Father" he said, ''wont you give me
some bread, now? | cannot sleep any
more, am SO hungry?'
And me too, papa, | so hungry too ~
broke in the half sobbing voice of the lit
tie girl.
One groan, that might have been the
parting of soul and body, burst from the
wrctched fathers lips, and starting to his
feet he wildly exclaimed
Far better death, than this =" and
rushed from the house.
q have tried, vainly tried for days to
find work." he muttercd to himself as he
passed ON, g | cannot beg, | will not steal.
Mark Allen shall never be called thief
and yet, to see them dying before my eyes,
dying for want of bread, | can bear it no
longer | cannot help them, | cannot
see them suffer. One plunge and it will
be over, and he walked rapidly towards
that part of the city whose borders were
washed by the waves of the ocean.
Turn we now to another dwelling, still
farther from the thckly settled part of
the same city.
"Come, rouse up, Sunbeam" said a
mothers loving voice to little girl of
eight summers, who was wrapped in the
sweet and peaceful slumbcr of happy and
healthy childhood.
at is early, know" she continued,
but | want my little handmaiden to run
into town before breakfast, and buy some
nice fresh eggs.
30, yes dear MOTHER" answered Lu.
cy's brdlike voice, and out of bed she
sprang.
While she is dressing, we will just
whisper in your ear, little reader, that
Lucy Gordon, though the child of poor
widow, and living i'll a very humble home,
was always the brightest and happiest
little girl in the whole city. Do you
ask, .why ?" Because she had a loving
and unselfsh heart. Her mother called
her Sunbeam for she said, "She is the
light and warmth of my dwelling" She
had sweet smile for every one she met,
and a ready, helping hand for all who
needed her. She was indeed true lamb
of the Good Shepherd.
Lncy was soon ready for her walk. AMI
taking her basket on her arm, and giving
her mother hearty kiss, she sailed out
into the cool, bracng air of the morning.
The sun was just rising, and bathing in
Il long line Of sparkling ligat the cold
Il Il ti of tb
"Oh, what beautiful world :" ex-
claimed Lucy. "IIow good God is
And the overhowing gratitude of her lit
tie heart found vent in the words OF
sweet hymn that her mother had taught
her.
Her clear, ringing voice was just re-
peating the vers commencing,
"a litt'e .parruw cannot fall
Unnoticed, Lord, by thee. -
when Mark Allen brushed hastily by
But quickly as he passed., the words
caught his ear, and arrested his atten-
tiom. IL turned and looked into Lucy's
bright face. She returned his gaze with
one OF h sunnicst G., n a modest
good morning. sir and passed on.
1t was enough Her simple hymn, her
trusting, loving smile, had saved the hui
man soul from the fearful sin of self-de.
Struetlon.
For few minute, Marx Allen stood
motionIeSs, gain, after her retreatng
figure, and then lifting his hat slowly
and revcrently from his head. and looking
upward, he exclaimed
" 1t was an utel, o God forgive me
that in my despair l have forgotten
/ thee :"
Rapidly he retraced his steps, and
passing the head Of one of the city
wh4rvcs, rough, but kindly voic, called
1 out
IIalloa, friend do you want a JOB ~
go, yes F" said Mark, anything that
will save my wife aud children from starv-
alton"
so bad as that, is it ?" said the man
ad lressed. looking pityingly in the care
worn but honest face of Mark ; ''tLcn in
advance ?" and suiting the action to the
word, he held towards him dollar.
GraSpins it with trembling eagerness,
Marx stammorel out
''Goi bless you! | will be back in ono
hour and darted away.
The worthy shi inmaster looked after
] l.; anil ,r,tt,rnl l;,ng,l'