Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-11-20

ing slowly, and looking steadily into
the wondering eyes uplifted to hers,
Pm going to take you away from
Mrs. Brown. She shall never send
you out begging again never beat
you any more never scold you; never
call you wicked Names"
Mrs. Christian had other words on
her lips, but her voice was losing its
steadiness under the pressure ofstrong
feeling, aud she left them unuttered.
Tilly's large orbs remained, for
some time, dwelling on her face. They
were full Of wonder and surprise.
Slowly withdrawing them, as shade
of doubt crcpt over her countenance,
she looked down at her miserable gar
mepts and almost shoeless feet. From
these her eyes went to the face OF Mr..
Christian and then back again to the
face Of the lady who had spoken to
her only such words as she had dream
ed might come from heaven, whittier
her mother had gone.
"Do you mean it, ma'am Z" The
plaintive voice shook-tears wet the
brown lashes, and stood beaded on
her cheeks.
a mean it all, poor child !" was
tenderly answered. If you will be
good, obcdient little girl, you sha
live here with me-"
oh, ma'am !" she eagarly replied,
sobbing as she spoke, I'll be so
good lilly will never do anything to
make you sorry. She won't indeed I"
"rm sure she will NOT said Mrs.
Christian, accepting the promise.
"And now come with me-" She led
her from the room.
More than half an hour passed ere
Mrs. Christian returned to the apart
ment where she had left her husband
He glanced up from the page he was
reading as she came in, and saw tina,
she was alone.
What have you done with her p
" She is asleep"
"Ah?"
Come | want you to see her now.
After removing her filthy rags, gave
her bath, put on clean night-clothes,
gave her some supper, and put her to
bed. She fell off into sweet sleep
very soon after her tired head rested
on the pillow"
Mrs. Christians voice choked as she
finished the last sentence. They as.
cended to small chamber adjoining
to, and opening from their own. The
gas was burning, low, but Mrs. Chris.
tian, moving in advance, turned it mp
and threw blaze of light upon the
bed where lilly lay sleeping.
Did you ever see anything sweet
er?-anythig more beautiful 2"
There they stood gazing down upon
the unconscious one for long time
in silence. The bath had removed
every stain from her skin, and the
pure young face, rosy with the warm.
ly flushing blood, was very picture
Of innocence. One white arm had
pushed aside the covering, partly re.
vealing the spotless snow of her
breast. The brown hair, which had
been long and matted, was smoothly
combed from her temples and forehead
and spread itself in glossy masses
over the pillow. They gazcd still in
silence till their eyes grew dim. Love
was pouring with a strong food into
their hearts. Three years before aud
in this very room, had they stood and
looked down upon picture just as
beautiful but the picture had faded
long and long ago, and they held il
only in memory. Now, it was as i
the lost were found--the dead hal
come to life again--the blessing
whose weary absence they had sigheC
over, restored.
Poor motherless one 4" was most
tenderly spoken.
"Motherlcss no longer" was the
quick response of Mrs. Christian.
Led 10y her Father in heaven to orr
door, We accept the trust conlided.
She shall be as our own child"
"Ycs, it was God who led her hitl-
er. And preparation to receive her
into your love was made through pity
for another. The door of your heart
was opened just as she came this way;
opened so wide, that though in rags
and filth, and begging, she entered
in"
And God being my helper and
guide" answered Mrs. Christian with
fearful emotion, +" will care for her
SO wisely and tenderly that she can
not get ont"
And she never did get out. Shall
we draw sketch of what her life
might have been if this door had not
been opened !? Nay. Draw it for
yourself Christian reader and, thence
your duty also