The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-07-23
for the ggiHls FOLKS,
ANGEL.
BIZ MARY A. DENlsoN.

the curb stone and tried to think
His feet were bare, red, and cold:
but never mind that. The chill air
penetrated his ragged garments; but
never mind that. He wanted 10
think. Who are these people pass
inc him. looking so warm and COM
Portable! What did it mean that
they should he happy and cheerful.
and he so sadl None OF them had
such heavy hearts: that he was sure
of. He looked up into the Geld blue
sky. What was it and who lived
up there! Somebody said once that
God would take care of him! Where
was Godl Why didn't he take care
Of himi Oh, if he could only see
God for one little minute. or the an
gels that the good men told him of
when his mother died. Did folks
ever see Godi Did they ever see
angelsl
An organ-grinder came near and
took his stand. The melody he play
ed lighiened the little boys heart
somewhat; bu, il didn't warn him
il didn', make him less hungry. He
kept shivering in spite Of the music.
and he felt so al! al ne. so despair
ing! Then the organ grinder pass
ed away; he never needed the little
child sitting on the curb stone, he
had so many things 10 think OF.
The carriages passed by. and the
carts, and a company Of soldiers.
but it was ali dumb show to him
he was trying TO think, with such
a dull pain at his heart. Presently
three or four coarse. looking boys
gathered behind him, and winked
and laughed at each other. In an
other moment, the Youngest gave a
thrust, and over went the poor lit
tie homeless child into the gu,ter.-
One scream, one sob oil anguish as
he gathered himself up and looked
after the boys, now flying away
with shouts ofmirlh. Oh! how cru
81 it seemed in them-how cruel!--
The little hsngry boy walked slow
~ on, sobbing and shivering to him.
self. He didn't know what he was
walking for, or why he was living
He felt put Of place-a poor little
foriorn spirit that had lost its way
"a bruised reed that any one might
break-a little heart so tender thai
a look was anguish, how much more
a blow!
The little boy stood at last neal
the corner Of a street. An apple
stand. at which he gazed with long.
ing eyes, not far off, was tended by
a cross-Iooking old nan. There
were cakes on the stand, and the
poor little mouth Of the homeless
child watered as he saw one boy AT.
ter another deposit his penny, and
take his cak-. He had 70 penny
and though there was hunger ii
his eyes, the cro>s-looking old MAJ
never offered hime a morsei. :.
The iempter came. The ole
mans back was turned. A vile bo,
at bis >ide-ai the side af The home
less chiid-audged his elbow. "Yol
take one," he whispered; "l'll give
yon half"
The little child gazed a, him stead
lily. He saw something in the blear
ed eyes that made him shrink; some
thing tina: SET his heart 10 beating
81 tell you, hook one" viii pere.
the boy. 81 WON'T tell, and vel
go away and "a, it,"
81 don't want to STEAL" said III
homeless child.
"Oh. Won fool" mu,,ered The br,'
tai ,enrp,er, and >mo;e in the eve,
his heavy dealing blow that sen
the poor little child against the wall
his whole frame quivering with an
guish. The terrible blow had al
mos, blinded HIM fora moment
4 sob came up in his throat. "Oh
what have | done, TO be treated sol
There never, never was a God, o
he would not let him suffer so, am
that because he refused TO be wick
ed. ! don't believe that evera ma
in his deadIiest bereayemenis suffer
ed more than the sad little child
His hear: was literally swelling wit
grief, and though he could not reas
on about it, he felt as i, there wer
great and sore injustice some
where.
He started across the street. 4
dark, binding pain still made hi
poor temples ring.
..Back! back! Good heavens! TIL
chiId's under bis feet! Bacl
back"
,s'Oh, mamma, il is our horses I'll
over a POOR little boy. Oh, MANN;
mammal
sis be hurt much, coacl,man."-
The olnan's face is as pale as asl
es. Yes, he is hurt badly. TAX
him ,iuht in. don't wait: carry hin