Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-11

vile, N read In the Bible sometimes and
end much said about little children, how
the Savior rebuked the diciples who would
not receive them; how he took them up IN
His arms and blessed themj and how he
said. that whoseever gave them . cup OF
cold water should not gounreWarded. NOW
il Il a small thing for US 70 keep this poor
motherless little one for single night 70
be kind to her for a single night 70 make
her comfortable for a single night. fr.
The voice oftho strong, rough man shook
and he turned his head away thatthe mois-
fure in his eyes might not be seen. Mrs
Thompson aid not answer but soft feeling
crept into her heart,
dLook at her kindly, Jane; speak to her
kindlv.n said Joe. "Fhink Of her dead
mother. and the loneliness, the sorrow, the
pain that must be on all her coming life"
Tho softness Of his heart gave unwonted
eloquence to his lips.
Mrs. Thompson did not reply, but presently
turned toward the little chamber where her
husband had deposited Maggiei aud push
ing open the door, went quietly in. Joe
did not follow; he saw that her state had
changed, and felt that it would be best to
leave her alone with thechild. So hewent
to his shop which stood near the house, end
worked until dusky evening released him
from his labor.
A light shining through the little cham
Der window was the first object that at
tracted his attention on turning towards
the house; it was good omen. The path
led him by this window, and when oppo-
site, he could not help pausing to look in.
It was now dark enough outside to screen
him from observation, Maggie lay q lit
tie raised on a pillow, with the lamp fhin-
ing full upon her face. Mrs. Thompson
was sitting by the bed talking to the child,
but her back was towards the window, 50
that her eountenanee was not seen. From
Maggie's face, therefore, Joe must read the
character Of their intercourse. He saw
that her eyes were intently fixed upon his
wife; and that now and then a few words
came as if in answer from her lips; that
her expression was sad, tender; but saw
nothing Of bitterness or pain. A deep
drawn breath was followed by one Of re-
lief, as q weight lifted from his heart.
On entering, Joe did not 60 Immediately
to the little chamber. His heavy tread
about the kitchen brought his wife some
what hurriedly from the room where she
had been with Maggie. Joe thought it best
not to refer to the child, nor to manifest
any regard to her,
How soon will supper be ready2' he
asked. .r-s
"Right soon, answered Mrs. Thompson,
beginning to hustle about. There was no
asperity in her voice.
After washing from his hands and face
the dust and soil of work, Joe left the
kitchen and went to the little bedroom. A
pair Of large bright eyes looked up at him
from the snowy bed; looked at him tender
ly, gratefully, pleadingly. How his heart
swelled in his bosemi With what aquick-
er motion came the heart beats! Joe sat
down, and now for the first time examin-
ing the thin face carefully under the lamp
light, saw that it was an attractive face,
full Of childish sweetness which suffering
had not been able to obliterate.
"Your name is Maggie2" he said, as he
sat down and took her soft hand in his.
eyes, SIR Her voice struck a chord
that oui7ered in a low strain of music.
Have you been long sick p
"Yes, sir What sweet patience was
in her tone
Has the doctor been to see your
"He used to come
{" But not lately p
"No, sir"
"Have you any pain 2''
This morning my side ached, and my
back hurt when you carried me.
at hurts you to be lifted or moved
about?"
Yes, sir
+" Your side doesn't ache now ?"
"No sirIi
q Does it ache q great deal p
q Yes, sir; but it hasn't ached any since
I've been on this soft bed ~
The soft bed feels good ~
40 yes, sir-so goodIp What q salts
fsction, mingk with her gratitude; was
in her voice & -slaa M
"supper is ready said Mrs. Thomp-
son, looking into the room little after
wards.
Joe glanced from his Bifes to that Of
Maggie; she understood him and answered
She can wait until we are done; then
1 will bring her something to eat" There
was an effort Of indifference on the part Of
Mrs. Thompson but her husband had seen
her through the window, and understood
that the coIdness was assumed. Joe wait
ed after sitting down to the table, for his
wife to introduce the subject uppermost in
both Of her thoughts but she kept silent
on that theme for many minutes, and he
maintained q like reserve. At last she
said, abruptly
What are you going to do with that
child?n
~ thought you understood me that she
was to 20 to the poor house" replied Joe,
as If surprised at her question.
Mrs. Thompson looked rather strangely
at her husband for some moments, and
then dropped her eyes The subject was
not again referred 10 during the meal. At
its close, Mrs Thompson toasted slice of
bread, and softened it with milk and but
ter; adding to this q cup OF tea, she took
them into Maggie, and held the small
waiter on which she had placed them
while the hungry child ate with every
sign Of pleasure.
as it good?n asked Mrs. Thompson,
seeing with what q keen relish the food
was taken.
The child paused with the cup in her
hand and answered with a look Of graft
/ tude that awoke to new life old humane
/ feelings which had been slumbering in her
heart for near score Of years.
"We'1 keep her day or two longer;
she is so weak and helpless, said Mrs. Joe
Thompson, in answer to her husbands re-
mark, at breakfast time the next morning,
that he must see the Guardians Of the
Poor about Maggie.
ashe'n be 50 much in our way" said
Joe.
al shau't mind that for day or two
Poor thingP'
Joe did not see the Guardians of the
Poor on that day, on the next day, nor on
the following. In fact he never saw them
at all on Maggie's account for in less than
a week Mrs. Joe Thompson would as soon