Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-03-23
,Ia;s There was no gAinsaying this.

JSNa AouuD tV-ulRnts'i
Jane'D said the Wheel.Wright, with an i'm
Ptdsvsness OF tone that greatly subdued hie
wife, III read In the Bible sometimea. and And
4 much said about little children. How The sa.
vlor rebuked the disciples who would not re-
ceive themj how he took them up in his arms
and blessed them; and how he said that VINO.
ever gave them even cup of cold water should
not go unreWarded. Now, il is n small thino
4 ior us TO keep this poor motherlees little one
lor single night; to make her life comfortable
4 for a single night" la6l 4,5. -l7-- - -
\ The voice Of the strong, rough man shook
4 and ne turned his head away, so that the moist.
nre IN his eyes. might not be seen. Mrs
thompson did not answer, but soft feeling
crept into her heart. g
Look at her kindly, Jane; speak to her kind.
W, SAID Joe. "Think of her dead mother,
and the loneliness, the pain, the sorrow that
must De on all her coming life." The softness
lips. lI.-. s.0.I- -
Mrs. Thompson did not reply, but presently
turned toward the little chamber where her hus-
band had deposited Maggie, and, pushing open
the door, went quietly in. Joe did not follow:
ne saw that her state had changed, and felt that
would be best TO leave her alone with the
child. So he went to his shop, which stood near
the house, and worked until dusky evening re-
leased him from labor. A light shining through
the little chamber window wss the frat object
that attracted Joe's attention on turning toward
the house; 1t was good omen. The path led
him by this. window, and when opposite, he
could not help pausing to look in. 1t was now
dark enough outside to screen him from obser-
vation. Maggie lay, a little raised on pillow,
with the lamp shining full upon hM face. Mrs.
thompson was sitting by the beo, talking to
the child; but her back was toward the window,
90 that her countenanoe was not seen. From
Maggie'a face, therefore, Joe must read the
character OF their Intercourse. He saw that her
eyes were lntently fixed upon his wife; that
pow and then few words came, az if in an.
swers, from her lips; that her expression was
sad and tender; but he saw nothing Of bitter
ness or pain. deep drawn breath was follow
cd by one Of relief, as a weight lifted itself
from bis heart. =
On entering, Joe did not 20 Immediately to
the little chamber. His heavy tread about the
Kitchen brought his wife somewhat hurriedly
from the room where she had been with Mag
gle, Joe thought it best not to refer TO the
child, nor to manifest any concern in regard to
her.
How soon will supper by ready7" he asked
"kight soon," answered Mrs. Thompson, be-
ginning to hustle about. There was no asperi-
ty in her voice.
After washing from his hands and face the
DUST aud soil of work, Joe left the kitchen, and
went to the little bedroom. pair of large
bright eyes looked at him tenderly, gratefully,
pleadiDgly. How his heart swelled in his bo-
som! With whata quicker motion came the
heartbeats! Joe sat down, and now for the first
time examining the thin face carefully under
the lamp light, saw that it was an attractive
lace, full OF childish sweetness, which suffering
had not been able to obliterate,
"Your name is Maggie7" he said, as he sat
down and took her soft little hand in bis.
ayes, sir" Her voice struck a chord that
quivered in low strain of music. ....
"Have you been sick longf"
Eyes, sir" What swee. patience Was 10
her tone.
"Has the doctor been to see your
"He used to come"
| .."But not lstely2"
"No, sir."
"Have you any pain2'
sometimes, but not now"
"When had you paint"
"This morning my side ached, and nv back
hurt when you carried me-"
"It hurts you to be Lifted or NOV ed about7"
eyes, SIR"
"Your side doesn't ache noW1'
"No, sir."
does it ache great deal2"
YES sir; but 1t hasn't ached any since |
have been on this soft bed"
"Ihe soft bed feels good2"
W yes, sir-so goodr" What satisfaction
mingled with gratitude, was in her voice!
"Supper is ready" said Mrs. Thompson
looking into the room little while afterwards.
Joe glanced from his wife's face to that Of
Maggie; she understood him and answered:
l. Sne can walt until We are done; then will
bring her something to eat" There was an
enort at indifference on the part of Mrs
thompson; but her husband had seen her
through the window, and understood that the
coidnees was assumed. Joe waited, after sit
ting down to the table, for his wife to introduce
the subject uppermost in both their thoughts;
but ehe kept silent on that theme for many min
utes, and he maintained like reserve. A. last
she said abruptly
| What are you going to do with that child2"
VI thought you understood me that abe was
to go to the poor-house," replied Joe, as If sur
prised 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
to during the meal At its close, Mrs. Thomp-
son toasted a slice of bread, and sohened It
with milk and butter; adding to this 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 sigu OF
pleasure --t ..t
ais it good7" asked Mra. Thompson, seeing
with what a keen relish the food was taken.
The child paused with the cup in her hand,
and answered with q look Of gratitude that
awoke to new life old human feelings which had
been sumbering In her heart for half a score OF
years.
/. "We'll keep her q day or two longer; she is
so weak and helpless" said Mrs. Joe Thomp-
son, in answer to her husbands remark, at
Breakfast tlmeon the next morning, that he
must step down and see the Guardians OF the
Poor about Maggie.
"Shell be so much in your way" said Joe.
Joe did not see the Guardians of the Poor on
that day. on the next, nor on the day folio wing.
In fact, he never saw them at all on Maggie's
account, for in less than week Mrs, Thomp-
son would as soon have thought of taking up
her abode In the aims house as sending Maggie
there.
What light and blessings did that sick, help
less child bring to the home Of Joe Thompson,
the poor wheel.Sright! II had beeh dark, and
cold, and miserable there for long time, just
because his wife had nothing to love and care
Tor out OF herself, and so became sour, irritable,
il-tempered, and self-afilcting in the desolation
of her woman's nature. Now the sweetness of
that sweet child, looking over 10 herin love,
patience, and gratitude, was as honey to Der
soul, and she carried her In her heart % we'll as
in arms, aprecious burden. As for Joe Thomp-
SOD, there was not man In all the neighbour
hood who drank daily a more precious vine Of
life than he. An angelhad come into bic house,
disguised as sick, helpless, and mi,erable
child, and filed all its dreary chambers with