The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-05-22
An Angel.
ny MARY A. DENNIsON.
rom the wesleyan Meth cdist Macazs,e

stone and tried to think. His feet were bar
red, and cold; but never mind that The chi
air penetrated his ragged garments; but neve
mind that, He wanted to think. Who al
these people passing him, looking so warm al
comfortable What did it mean that the
should be happy and cheerful, and he so sad
None of them had such heavy hearts that h
was sure of He looked up into the cold blu
SKY. What was it, and who lived up there
Somebody had said once that God would tax
care of him where was God? Why didn't h
take care of him a? Oh if he could only see Co
for one little minute, or the angels that tn
good men told him of when his mother died =
Did folks ever see God Did they ever SCI
angels? ....
An organ grinder came near and took hi
stand. The melody he played lightened thu
little boys heart somewhat; but it didn't warn
him it didn't make him less hungry. He KEEP
shivering in spite of the music, and he felt 81
all alone. so despairing Then the organgrind
g or passed away; he never needed the little
child sitting on the curbstone, 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 hinl--he was trying to
think, with such dull pain at his heart. Pres
emily three or four coarse looking boys gather.
ed behind him, and winked and laughed al
each other. In another moment, the youngest
gave thrust, and over went the poor little
homeless 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 mirth. Oh how cruel it seem
ed in them--how cruel! The little hungry
boy walked slowly on, sobbing and shivering
to himself. lie didn't know what he was walk
ing for, or why he was living. He felt out of
pace-a poor little forlOrn spirit that had lost
it's way-a bruised reed that any one might
break-a little heart so tender that look was
anguish, how much more a blow
The little boy stood at last near the corner of
a Street An app.e.stand, at which he gazed
with longing eyes, not far off, was tended by
crosslookng old man. There were cakes on
the stand, and the poor little mouth of the home
less child watered as he saw one boy after All
other deposit his penny and take his cake. he
had no penny, and though theie was hunger
in his eyes, the cross looking old man never
offered him morsel.
The tempter came. The old man s back was
turned. vile boy at his side-at the side of
the homeless chid-nudged his elbow. "You
take one, he whispered "Il give you half"
TIE little child gazed at him steadily. He
saw something in the bleared eyes that made
him shrink something that set his heart to
beating.
" tell you. hook one, whispered the boy
II won tell and we'll go away and eat it,"
$ / don't want to STEAL said the homeless
child.
"Oh you fool" mntered the brutal tempt
err and Smoe him in the eyes, his heavy hand
dealing blow that sent the poor child against
The wall, his whole frame quivering with an
guish. The terrible blow had almost blinded
him for moment. sob came up in his throat.
" Oh! what have / done TO be treated so ~
There never, never was God, or he would
not let him suffer SO, and that because he re-
fused to be wicked. / don't believe that ever
| w. =. L
more than that sad little child, His heart was
literally swelling with grief, and though he /
could not reason about it, he felt if there |
were great and sore injustice somewhere.
He started to cross the street. A dark blind |
ing pain still made his poor temples ri0g.
q Back back Good heavens The child |
is under his feet! Back back
ooh! mamma, it is our horses run over
poor little boy. Oh! mamma, mamma 20
"Is he hurt much, coachman p The wo-
mans face is pale as ashes. Yes, he is hurt
badly. Take him right in don't wait carry
him right in and up stairs. II was your care |
lessness. The child shall be attended to-
There is no anguish now. Perhaps God
saw he had borne all he could, and so took the
poor little broken heart there to heal. How
very white and quiet ''Oh, sweet face
sweet, sweet face /" murmured the woman,
bending over the boy; and tears fell upon his
forehead, but he did not feel them
Oh, the poor little boy !" sobs Nelly Z" the
poor little boy wish he had kept on the side
walk | wish he had staid at home with his
mother"
Alas in this world there was 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 He |
had been injured by one of her horses, and she
felt 1t was her duty to attend to him. Besides, i
it was likely the child had no mother Such
boy as he is, with face so sweet and girlish, |
so pure and loveable, would never be sent on
the streets like that if he had a mother Be. |
sides (and here her tears feI) there was little
mound not yet green, over just such a little
child. No, no; it was not in her heart to put
the poor wounded boy away. Let him stay, |
whether he lived or died
The weary, weary days passed on. One |
morning the little boy opened his dim blue eyes,
but he did not know himself His glance fell
YEARLY on his hands. There were white bands |
around his wrists, with ruff1es on them The
bed was so snowy white, too, and a crimson
light fell over every thing.
" Dear God. am in heaven ~ murmured
the child. Yes, God will take care of me
| now"
| What visions Of lovelness glanced forth from
the shadow behind the bed? The rich curs
fell around a face of exquisite beauty. The
beaming eyes looked love and gladness upon
| him.
1 "Oh! yes, there is an angel!'' he said softly |
| " am glad, They won't knock me over
again; they won't want me to steal apples
here; and perhaps l shall never die again.
Now. want TO see my mother"
My dear boy, are you better this morning."
asked low, soft voice.
Ne turned slowly, YEARLY.
"Is it mother?" he murmured
Oh, yes" and there were quick sobs and
tears " yes, my little child l will be your
mother, and you shall be my son. win you
love me dearly?'
Yes, do love you mother is it hoaven :"
Heaven no, darling it is earth but God
sent you here to our hearts aud you shall be
loved and cared for. See, here is little sis
ter, and you will be very happy with her Kiss
him, Nelly"
Her rosy lips touched his pale ones, and a
heavenly 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 and look
ing half famished,t 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 gnarrels of the vicious
and depraved
les, the past was gone; and in the rosy fu-
ture were love, home, even God and the angels.
Certainly sweet spirits had guarded that child,
and guided him out of seeming evil into posi-
tive good. Surely henceforth he would put
bis hand trustingly in theirs. and turn his face
heavenward. Yes. it was so to be. The dear,
r teachable ,hild-a jewel picked from the mire,
, brand snatched from the burning-was yet to
Humane the dark paths of this world with his
holy, heaven-iike teaching. Like dove he
was to go forth over the waters, and find the
olive-branch with which TO garland his glad IL
dings. Blessings, then, on all who b. old their
arms out toward needy little children, making
; their homes arks OF refuge! Beautiful stars
shall they haye in their crowns of rejoicing,
for surely there is no jewel brighter in all the
world, and perhaps in all eternity, than the