Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-08
AN ANGEL.



He wanted to think Who are these people pass
ing him. looking warm and comfortable What |
did It mean that they should be happy aud cheer |
tu, and he so sadY None Of them had such heavy |
hearts that he Of lie looked up into |
the cold blue sky. What was il. and who lived |
up thereY Somebody had said once that God
would take care ofhim Where was God Why |
didn't he take care of him2 Oh ifhc could only see
God for one little minute, or the angels that the
good men told him of when his mother died Did
folks ever see GodY Did they ever sec angels
An organ-grnder came near aud took his stand.
The melody he played lghtcned the little boys
heart somewhat; but il didn't warm him it didn't
make him less hungry. lie kept shivcring in spite
OF the music and he felt all alone, so despair
ing Then the organ-grindcr passed away he
never needed the little child sitting on the curb
stone, he had so many things to think Of. The
carriages passed by, and the carts and a company
OF soldiers but it was all dumb show to hm-hc
was trying to think with such dull pain at his
heart. Presently three or four coarse-lookng
boys gathered behind him, aud wiuked and laughed
az each other. In another moment, the Youngest
gave thrust, and over went the poor little home
less child into the gutter One scream. one sob
of anguish as he gathered himself up, and looked
after the boys, now flying away with shouts of
mlrth Oh. how cruel it seemed in them-how
cruel. The little hungry boy walked slowly on.
sobbing and shiyering to himself He didn't
know what he was walking for, why he was y-
ing lie felt ont of place-a poor little fororn
spirit that had lost It's way-a bruised reed that
any one might break little heart so tender that
a look was anguish, how much more blow
The little boy stood at last near the corner Of
street. An apple-stand at which he gazcd with
longing eyes, not far of, was tended by a cross
looking old man. There were cakes on the stand,
and the poor little mouth Of the homeless child
watered as he saw one boy after another deposit
his penny, and take his cake lie had no penny
nnfrh f4ar fltts
cross-lookng old man never offered him a morscl
The tcmptei came. The old mans back
turned vile boy at his side-at the side of the
homeless chld--nudged his elbow "You take
one" he whispered " I'll give you half
The little child gazed at him steadily. lie saw
something ia the blcarod eyes that made him
shrink something that set his heart TO beating.
81 tell you, hook one d" whispered the boy 1
won't tell, and well go away and cat it,
81 don't want to steal, said the homeless child
"Oh! you fool muttercd the brutal tempter,
and smote him in the eyes, his heavy hand dealing
blow that sent the poor little child against the
wall, his whole frame quivering with anguish The
terrible blow had almost blinded him for mo-
ment sob came up in his throat ooh! what
have done TO be treated so p There never,
never was Cod or he would not let him suffer
/ SO, and that because he refused TO be wicked
! don't believe that ever a man in his dcadliest
hereaycments suffered more than that sad little
]
and though he could not reason about it, be felt
as If there We're great and sore injustice some
where
He started TO cross the street dark, blind
ing pain still made his poor temples ring.
black. back, Good heavens. The child is
under his feet! Back! back"
sob mamma, il is our horses run over poor
little boy. Oh, mamma, mamma
"ls he hurt much, coachman: The womans
face is pale ashes Yes, he is hurt badly.
Take him right in; don't wait carry him right In
and up stairs. 1t was your carelessness. The
child shall be attended to-
There is no anguish now Perhaps God saw he
had borne all he could, and took the poor little
broken heart there to heal. How very white aud
quiet ooh a sweet tacc--a sweet sweet face ~
murmured the woman, bending over the hoy
and tears fell upon his forehead, but he did not
feel them
"Ol, the poor little hoy, sobs Nelly. the
poor little boy / wish he had kept on the side
walk wish he had stad az home with his mother.
Alas, in this world there no mother to
keep him.
The doctor came. said he was not dead. but
would very likely die. There was an hospital
near. The poor thing had better be sent there.
But the good woman would not allow that She
would care for him herself she said lie had been
injured by one OF her horses, and she felt it was
her duty to attend to him. Besides it was likely
the child had no mother. Such boy as be, with
a face sweet and girlish so pure and loyeablo.
would never he sent the streets like that, II ht
had mother Besides(and here her tears fell)
there was little mound not vet green over Just
such child. No. no it was not IN her heart 20
pat the poor wounded boy away. Let him stay,
. whether he lived or died.
The weary, weary DAYS passed on One morn
ing. the little boy obcucd his dim blue ewes, but
he did not know himself Iii, glance fell YEARLY
ON bis hands There were white bands around
N.. Al
snowy white, too, and crimson light fell over
every thing.
Dear God, am in heaven mumured the
child Yes, God will take care of me now
T What visions of loneliness glanced forth from
the shadow behind the bod; The rich curs fell
around face Of exquist beauty. The hcaming
Il eyes looked love and gladncss upon him.
"Oh yes there is an sngel r. he said softly.
; " ! am glad. They won't knock me over again
they won't want mc to steal apples here and per
haps shall never die again, Now,l want to see
( my mother
! MY dear boy are you better this morning =
asked a low soft voice
He turned slowly, YEARLY.
"ls it mother Z" he murmurcd
"Oh yes, ~ and there were quick sobs and tears
" yes my little child | will be your mother and
you shall be my son. VIII you love me dearly ?
YES, do love you, mother; is it heavenY"
Heaven no, darling it is earth but God sent
you mere 10 our nehftS, ana you snail ne lONeu
and cared for See here is a little sister, and you
will be very happy with her. Kiss him. Nelly
: Her rosy lips touched his pale ones and a heay-
emily smile lighted up his face The past was not
forgotten, but it was gone. No more mouldy
crusts, oaths, harsh words, and blows. No more
begging at basement-doors, aud looking half fam
ished to envy dog gnawing bone in the streets,
No more fear of rude children who never knew
where their hearts lay; no more sleeping on door
steps and listening IN terror to the drunken quar-
rels OF the vicious and deprayed
Yes, the past was gone and in the rosy future
we're love- home, even God and the angels Ger
tainly sweet spirits had guarded that child, and
guided him out of seeming evil into positive good
Surely henceforth he would put his hand trusting
ly in theirs aud turn his face heayenward Yes
1t was so TO be. The dear, teachable chld-a
jewel picked from the mire, a brand snatched from
the burnng-was yet TO ilumine the dark paths Of
this world with his holy, heaven-lke teaching
Like dove he was TO 60 forth over the waters
aud find the oliye-branch with which TO garland
his glad tidings. Blessings then, on all who
hold their arms out toward needy little children,
making their homes arks of refuge Beautiful
stars shall they have in their crowns Of rejoicing
for surely there is no Jewel brighter in all the
world, and perhaps in all eternity, than the soul
of little child.
BENEFITS TO Re GAINED FROM EN- STING