The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-12-25
8elisiou, aslurals, Belle gettres.



1t was fearful time when the steamboat
Troy was lost. Itwas lang ago, and almost
every body has forgotten il, except the few
who had friends on it, and they are almost
all gone The Troy was a small boat, and the
passengers were few and poor, SO it has passed
from the public mind. All the day the bright
sun had shone down on the peaceful lake, and
every thing seemed safe and secure. The
passengers had no thoughts of danger as the
night came on.
A little boy kneeled down to say his even
ing prayers, and as he looked out and saw
the western sky all aglow with the glory of
the going day, he asked g Mamma, isn't
that the door of heaven, with bright curtains
all around it?"
Yes, my boy," said the mother; " heav-
ems doors are all around u.s."
." Well that's the one that want to 20 in
at, because it's the prettiest," and the child
prayed his prayer and went to sleep.
1t was never known how, whether the pilot
feel asleep at his post, or the lights went out,
but when midnight came, there was crash.
shiver, and cries of terror. The steamer
had come in collision with a schooner and was
sinking.
The little boy awoke. He cried "Mam-
ma, where are your" and his mothers arms
held him fast, even while they sank together
in the dark waters.
They came to the surface again, and the
mother caught something floating and held
fast to it.
Jamie Jamie n she said, ." hold me very
tight"
Mamma, are we going to hoavens don't
like this way-I'm afraid"
Never fear, child, God will meet YOU -
and with all her strength the mother lifted
the child upon the floating bale, then dropped
1t, and went home through the Hoodgates be-
low. Ef.f r.e
Mamma mamma where are YOU cried
Jamie, but there came no answer. No one
hotced the ehila afoat, for every one sought
10 save his own life, and the day was born
ran its race, and was dying again, when
Jamie fioated on Shore The little fellow was
hungry, very hungry, but there again was
the glorious golden gate of heaven. and Jamie
thought 1t was wider open than the nigh be-
lore, and as soon as he could crawl off from
the bale to tho land, he began to run as fast
as he could, straight towards the west.
James feet tottered. lie was too weak TO
run SO he walked straight on, u long LONG
way, antu the west began IN oror- IL; :.
sight. N''' us
jamie saw man coming toward him. INIT
ne did not stop. The man noticed that tho
Sniiu s clothes were wet, that he had been in
lne water and he tried to stay him.
Little boy, where are you goinp p, no
asked. Sung ne
can't stop now" said Jamie; "I,m
AFRAID L shall be too late"
loo late! where are you going that wov ,
tnere is no house there" the man cried :, syor
hin' Tor Jamie did not stop an instant.
les there IS" said Jamie, "and Pm
AFRAID the doors will be shut"
Whose house, boy"
Why, Gods beautiful house to Inc s,,ro
Dont you know it? 1t is heaven. See, -
grows dark !" and Jamie made one af,rt =
i'u ~, 70 the ground, fainting with hunger.
Inc man lifted him up in his arms and
'anie hsped: Mamma said God would com !.
70 meet mes" and thenihs fell aslsen. Wbon
NE awoke no found himself in strange nloco
with strangers about him.
Come my darling, you must eat some Of
1nis' said soft voice, and the LIGHT Of tho
candle WAS carefully shaded from .Jam;o,.
eyes. -iCA jamie
0amle's last thought was of heaven and
He meet me?" ' Oiu
ana a little girl standing by the bed ms
"ered Yes, little boy, father met Won and
brought you home" ''U anu
Gods father too, is he ?D asked Jon,
:. tha any conscious of his present state !.
'nen Wen go home together"
'amie recovered and grew to manhood
grew 10 good and glorious manhood and -
-ne 'lme when his Redeemer called him bon,o
'ainie never forgot the western door for ,rb;oh
- nAu striven. He never looked upon the
1soOuS purple, golden, and crimson rlor,
','e sunset without bearing again in his mini
the words of his mother: Yes nv -
IeaVen's doors are all about usD AZ
oainles wish was granted him. Ono ninh,
tne shining light came through the parted
curtains and Jamie went home with the dav
anu Jesus met him, for he loved him-Jesn,
VINO long years before had gone down to the
dark Hood gates below to meet Jamie's motbo,
Jesus who always watches and waits n
near the coming feet of those who ,seL tbo
gates of heaven.
Honor and Generosity.
man ,ras 80.