The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-07-28

not been able to obliserate. r,,,.,
'Your name is Maggie?' he said, as he
sat down and took her soft little hand in
his. 1ac a.da
Yes, SIR Her voice struck chord that
quivered in low strain Of music.
Have you been sick long?' fafs- -.
Yes, sir WHAT sweet patience was
in her tone! = ~. 49, ,.-f. :. E-y.,
Has the doctor been to see youa'
He used to come 81. 80
'But not lately ~ @
mo SIT. bgsot 3as, M
Have you any painf' m
Sometimes, but not now.' ssf,s4
"When had you pain ~ -,s -.
"This morning my side ached. snd my
back hurt when you carried me-"
ut hurts you to be lifted or moved about?''
"Yes, SIR"
"Your side doesn't ache now p
"No, sir.''
"Does It ache great deal :"
"Yes SIR; but it hasn't ached any since
I've been on this soft bed"
.'.The soft bed feels good g'' ~,
20, yes, sir--so good - What satisfac.
tion mingled with gratitude, was in her
voice ,1
"Supper is ready" said Mrs. Thompson,
looking into the room little while after
wards.
Joe glanced from his wife's face to that OF
Maggie; she understood him and answered.
"She can wait until we are DONE then
will bring her something to eat" There was
an effort at indifference on the part Of Mrs.
Thompson but her husband had seen her
through the window, and understood that
the coldness was assumed. Joe waited, after
sitting down to the table, for his wife to in
troduce tn subject upp.rmost in both their
thoughts; but she kept silent on that theme
for many minutes and he maintained like
reserve. At last she said abruptly
"What are you going to do with that
child ~ ~ thought you understood me that
she was to go to the poorhouse," said Joe,
as If surprised at her question.
Mrs. Thompson looked rather strangely
at her husband for some moments, and then
dropped her eyes. The subjec was not
again referred to during the meal. AT its
close, Mrs. Thompson toasted slice of bread,
and softened it with milk and butter; adding
to this cup Of tea, she took them in to Mag
gle. and held the small waiter on which she
had placed them while the hungry child ate
with every sign Of pleasure.
,"Is it good?" asked Mrs Fhampson, see.
ing with what keen relish the food was Ia
ken.
The child paused with the cup in her
hand, and answered with look of gratitude
that awoke to new life old human feelings
which had been sumbering in her heart for
half sco OF years.
"We'll keep her day or two longer; she
is so weak and helpless" said Mrs. Joe
Thompson. in answer to her husbands re-
mark, at breakfast time on the next morn
ing, that he must step down and see the
Guardians Of the Poor about Maggie.
"Shcll be so much in your way," said Joe.
81 shan't mind that ior day or two -
Poor thing ~ SO tai5
J,e did not see the Guardians OF the Poor
on that day, on the next, nor on the day fol-
lowing. In fact he never saw them at all on
Maggie's account, for in less than week
Mrs. Joe Thompson would as soon have
thought oe taking up her own abode in the
A'mshouse as sending Maggie there.
What light and blessing did that sick and
helpless child bring to the home of Joe
Thompson, the poor wheelwrightl It had
been dark, and cold, and miserable there for
a long time, just because his wife had moth
ing to love and care for out of herself and so
became sour, irritable, i'll tempered, and self.
affecting in the desoiation Of her woman's
nature. Now The sweetness of that sick
child, looking ever to h in love, patience
and gratitude, was honey to her seul, and
she carried her in her heart as we'll as in her
arms, precious burden. As for Joe
Thompson. there was not q man in all the,
who drank daily of more rre.
cious wire Of life than he An angel had
come into his house, disguised a. sick,
helpless and miserable child, and filed all
its dreary chambers with the sunshine of
love. 7 tsai 19e'fat