Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-12
An Angel.
the Bastile
BIZ MARY A. DENNISoN.

A little pauper boy sat down on the curb
stones, and tried TO think His feet were bare,
red aud cold but never mind that. The chill
air penetrated his ragged garments +; but never
mind that He wauted 10 think. Who are
these people passing hin, looking SO warm and
comfortable What did it mean that they
ehoud be happy and cheerful, and be so sad
None of them had such heavy hearts that he
was sure Of He looked up into the cold blue
sky. What was it, and who lived up there
Some bo had said once that God would take
care of him. Where was God? Why didn't
he take care of him -? Oh if he could only see
God for one little minute, or the angels that
the good men told him of when his mother
died Did they ever see angels Z
An organ grinder come near and took his
stand The melody he played lightened the
little boy heart somewhat but it didn't warm
him it didu't make him less hungry. He kept
siiivecing in spite of the music, aud be felt so
all alone, so deSpairing Then the organ
| grinder passed away he never needed the lit
tie child sitting on the curbstone, he had SO
many thiugs to think Of The carriages passed
! by, and the carts aud company of soldiers
| b4t it was all dumb show TO him-he was try
ing to think, with sach dull pain at his heart.
Presently, three or four coarse looking boys
gathered behind him, and winked aud laughed
at each other in.another moment, the young.
est gave thrust, and over went the poor little
homel. IS child into the gutter. One scream,
one sob of anguish as he gathered himself up,
and looked after the boys, now flying away
with shouts of mrth. Oh how cruel it seemed
in them-how cruel The little hungry boy
walked slowly 90, sobbiDg and shivering to
himself He did It know what he was walk
ing tor, or why he was living. He felt out of
place-a poor little spirit that had lost its
way-a bruised reed that any one might break
"a little heart so tender that look was an
guish, how much more blow
The little boy stood at last near the corner
of street. An apple stand at which he gazed
with longing eyes, not far of, was tended by
cross4ooking old man. There cakes on the
stand, and the poor little mouth of the home.
less child watered as be saw one boy after an
other deposit his penny, and take his cake
He had no penny, and though there was hun
ger in his eyes, the cross looking old man never
offered him morSel.
The tempter came The old mans back was
turned. A vile boy at his side-at the side
of the homeless child-Dudged his elbow
You take one," he whispered )" III give you
half"
The little child gazed at him steadily. He
saw something in the beared eyes that made
him shrink something that set his heart to
beating
~ tell you, hook one" whispered the boy ;
II won't TELL aud we'll 60 awsy and eat it"
Il don't want to steal" said the homeless
child.
"Oh you fool" muttered the brutal temp.
ter, and smote him 10 the eyes, his heavy hand
dealing blow that sent the poor little child
against the wall, his whole frame auiverihg
with angaish. The terrible blow had almost
blinded him for moment A sob came up 10
bis throat. "Oh what have done TO be
wsstsd soT There never, never wss God;