Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-06-27
An Angel.
BY MARY A. DENNIsON.

that. The chill air penetrated his ragge
garments; but never mind that. II
wanted to think. Who are these peopl
passing him, looking so warm and com
Portable? What did it mean that the
should be so happy and cheerful, and h
so sad None of them had such heav
hearts, that he was sure Of He locke
up into the cold, blue sky. What wa
it, and who lived there Somebody ha
said once that God would take care O
him Where was God? Why didn'
be take care of him? Oh, if he coul
only see God for one little minute, or ;h
angels that the good men told him Of whel
his mother died Did folks ever se
God Did they ever see angels?
An organ-grinder came near and took hi
stand. The melody he played brightene'
the little boys heart somewhat; but i
didn't warm him; it didn't make him les
hungry, He kept shivering in spite o
the music, and he felt so all alone, so de
sparing J Then the organ grinder passed
away; he never beeded the little chile
sitting on the curb stone, he had so many
things 10 think Of. The carriages passed
by, and the carts and company Of sol
diers but it was all dull show to him
he was trying to think, with such q
dull pain at his heart Presently, three
or four rough looking boys gathered be.
hind him, and winked and laughed al
each other. In another moment the
youngest gave thrust, and over went
the homeless child into the gutter One
scream, one sob Of anguish as he gath.
cred himself up,and looked after the boys,
now fleeing with shouts of mirth. Oh
how cruel it seemed in them-how cruel
The little hungry boy walked slowly on,
,obbing and shiveriog to himself He
didn't kaow what he was walking for, or
why he was living. He felt out Of place
"A little heart so tender that a look
was anguish, how much more blow.
The little boy stood at last near the
corner Of the street. An apple stand,
at which he gazed with longing eyes, not
far of, was tended by cross looking old
man. There were cakes on the stand,
and the mouth of the poor homeless
child watered as he saw one boy after
another deposit his penny and take his
cake. He had no penny, and though
there was hunger in his eyes, the cross
looking old man never offered him a
morsel.
The tempter came. The old mans
back WAS turned. A vile boy at his side
at the side of the homeless child
nudged his elbow. You take one"
he whispered; "Tll give you half"
The little child gazed at him steadily.
He saw something in the bleared eve.
that made him shrek; something that
set his heart TO beating.
g tell you to hook one" whispered
the boy, 81 won't tell, and Wen 60
away and eat t."
l don't want to steal, said the home.
less child.
"Oh you fool" muttered the brutal
temper, and smote him in the eyes, his
heavy hand dealing blow that sent the
poor little child against the wall, his
whole frame quisering with anguish
The terrible blow had almost blinded
him for moment. A sob came up in
his throat. "Oh! what have done TO
be treated so ?" There never was God.
or he would not let him suffer so, and
hat because be refuses to be wicked. L
don't believe that ever a man in his
deadliest bereavements suffered more
than that sad, little child. His heart
was literally swelling with grief, and
though he could not reason about It he
felt as if there we're great and sore in
justice somewhere.
He started to cross the street. A dark
pain still made his poor temples
ring.
" Back back Good heavens! The
child is under his feet Back back I"
"Oh, mamma, it is our horses run over
4 poor little boy. Oh, mamma, NAM
ma ~
is he hurt much, coachman ?" The
woman's face is pale as ashes. Yes, he
IS hart badly. Take him right in, don't
wait; carry him right in and up stairs. q,
1t was your carelessness. The child
shall be attended to-"
There is no anguish now. Perhaps
God saw that he had borne all he could. !
md so took the little broken heart there
o heal. How very white and quiet -
)b, swee.--a sweet, sweet face I" mur. .
nured the woman, bending over the boy /:
md tears fell on bis forehead, but be did
,ot feel them. J