Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-04-25
An Angel in Disguise.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

ken fit, and died in the presence of her
frightened little ones.
Death touches the springs of our COM
mon humanity. This woman had been
despised, scofied at, and angrily de-
nounced by nearly every man, woman
and child in the village; but now, as the
fact of her death was passed from lip to
lip, in subdued tones, pity took the place
Of anger, and sorrow of denunciation
Neighbors went hastily to the tumble
down hut, in which she had secured little
more than place of shelter from sum-
mer heats and win,er cold some with
graye-clothes for decent interment of
the body; and some with food for the
half starving children, three in number.
Of these, John, the eldest, a boy of
twelve, was stout lad, able to earn his
living with any farmer, Kate, between
ten and eleven, was a bright, active girl,
out Of whom something clever might be
made. if in good hands. bnt noor H,ne
Maggie, the youngest, was hopelossly
diseased Two years before a fall from
= vin5ow lal ioiarsd ler s,;no ana .ha
had not been able 70 leava her he'd since
except when lifted in the arms Of her
mother.
What VAS TO be done ,y;,I, ,be chill.
droa. That was the chief question
now. The dead mother would 90 under
ground and be forever beyond an care
or concern of he villagers. But the
children must nolbe LEFT 10 starge. After
considering the matter, and talking it
over with his wife, Farmer Jones said
he would take John. and do well by him,
now that bis mother vas out Of tie way
and Mrs. Ellis. who had been LOOKING
out for a bound girl, concluded that it
would be charitable in her to make /
choice of Kate, though she was too young
to be of much use for several years.
could do much better, know said
Mrs Ellis but as no one seems inclined
to take her must ac; from sense Of
duty expect to have trouble with the
child, for shes an undi.ciplined thing
used to having her own way
But no one said, I'll take Maggie
Plying gIances were cast on her wan :
and wasted form, and thoughts were
troubled on her account. Mothers brought l
cast OFT garments, and removing her rag
sed and soiIed clothes, dressed her in
clean attire The sad eyes and patient &
face Of the little one touched many
hearts, and even knocked at them for l
entrance. But none opened to take her q
in. Who wanted bed,riiden child" i
Take her to the poor-house, said a
rough man, to whom the question, whats t
10 be done with Maggie ? was asked
Nobody's going to be bothered with y
her. a
The poor,house is Il sad place for '
,ick aud helpless child, answered one.
For yout child or mine, said the 9TH
~ lightly speaking; but for This brat
t will prove a blessed change. She will "
,e kept clean, have healthy food, and be "
loctored, which is more than can be said P
# her past condition. u
There was reason in that. but still il
Iidn,t sot;srv Tho dov follow;oa tho '
Low If d.o,b ,vos nodo ,bo dov of hrr;.
A fo. ro;,bbors v,oro OF ,be ooisor 81
Bile howell but none followed the dead b
art as il hore tba unbonored rop,o;ns to ta
b, ,o,nn - Ea.n - a..
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