The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-04-16
l.ittlc NODhIG's kSrcasss.

mat VIII spring from us green sods IN
the warm breath Of May A little boy
died IN New York last week. All,
many little boys died in New York on
TINT day, pcrchancc at that hour ! And
each death has it's little history, perhaps
rs touching as the one am about to
tell. Could we know them all, just the
rnrics or the little boys who died in
The city at that hour Of that day, what
volume it would make ! Some snatch.
cl away from nest Of love and luxcry
sonc dragged down to the dark door
Of Poverty and her sqnaid train some
suddenly struck ont Of fife BY accident
or violence, some ,eaching rest through
frighttul coryulsions, some langushing
away by slow disease. What mattcred
these little differences, when the en-
svanchising moment had come ? . the
bright troop that went up that went TO
the shining gates? How quick they
made acquaintance with each other. as
springing from palace or Eovel, from
Fifth Avenue or Five Points they me,
each Other on the upward path No
time wasted, while careful parents were
debating whether il would answer to let
little Shocks, in rags and dirt play with
their darling, born to fine clothes, and
positions and expectations. Nor did
their angel convoy stand npon the least
ceremony Of this sort, bit gathered
chem all up together IN their loving
arms, and made strait for their common
ho,ne and their heavenly play ground -
Methinks those gentle messengers
found the way short, with the sweet
chatter and laughter Of their little
charge and those that watched for
their co,ning-mothers some Of them
and sisters, called bcfpre,-necded not
10 gacs whether it were they who were
drawing pcar.
But | care only to tell YOU OF one of
those little boys. Robbie was eight
years old, a handsome, healthy, merry
fellow, f.ilc: Of frolic and sunshine Il, al
h. could anywi<c hold. IL was a most
loyeablc child, to good, kind, and affec.
iionate, fond Of Sunday school; altogeth
CT such little boy as parents and
friends would set their hearts on. But
there were those above that had set
their harris OH him also.
-Four weeks ago, on walkin. in the
morning, he said TO, the coasin with
whom he slept, 20 Eta, have had
such beautiful dream. | thought
was walking in great field. and an
angel came to me and took hold Of my
hand, and said, Come, 60 with me.
And as we went up together into the
air, | said to the angel, / can't do as
you do,-.naking qnivcring motion
with his arms-I have nc. wings And
the angel said, Never mind, You will
have them ;your arms will grow into
wings. And he carried me along, Oso
beautifully, and at last We came to a
great, splendid house; and knew it
was Jesus house, because it was full
OF angels, anc they were playing on
harps. And ! thought to be sure had
got there; and all At once walked IN
and found myself alongside Of Eta.
Three weeks after this, without M.
mcnt.s warning, he was seized with
commissions, and was never after con
fclous OF what was about him, even his
parents. The disease had at once at.
tackled the brain. But though uncon.
sc.ous OF outward objects, the brain
was bnsy-witl, it's own delirious ere.
atlons, was it But how, my dear
philosopher, wilt thou account for the
character Of those creations IA
'hose who stood wondering around
ING child, it seemed as if the angel o,
his dream was again with h,m. Some
times his little fingers would initiate
me motion Of one playing on strings
and he would ;say, "Playing on the
'rp, mamma, playing on the harp T.
hen he sung the fayorite ch;lls hym n,
y want to be An ANGEL '''rherc! he
would evclaim, "Don't you sec? o no
though it was the tip Of an angels
wing :; but its only little white cloud
The last day Of his life, near its end, he
became little more composed, and
sail ono Of his little prayers ending
with God bless my father and mo,hc,
and make me good little boy" and
repeated the twenty third Psalm entire
Last Of all, he begun the dear little IA
mlliar nursery prayer, whose simpl,
phrase has borne up to heaven the hearts
Of 50 many thousands Of little one.