Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-18

IL scens oo ilho ilieHu 10 me, loFo IL
better every DAY. Iwatch the. sun climb
up along the roofs in the morning, creep
ing higher and higher till it shines upon
the cross and turns it into gold. Then
through the day watch the sunshine
fade away till all the red goes from the
sky, and for little while / cannot see it
through the dark. But the moon comes,
and love il better then; for lying awake
thrC ugh the long nights, | see the cross
SO high and bright with stars shining
round it, and feel still and happy in my
heart as when Bess sings to noe in the
twilight
But when there is no moon, or clouds
to hide it from you, what then, Jamie ?
asked the young man, wondering if there
were no cloud to darken the cheerful
child's content.
Il wait till it is clear again, and feel
that it is there although l cannot see it,
cir. / hope it will never be taken down,
for the light upon the cross seems like
that see in dear Bessie's eyes when she
holds me in her arms and calls me her
patient jamie She never knows | try
to bear my troubles for her sake, as she
bears hunger aud cold for mine. Soyou
see, sir, how many things have to make
me happy child
Il would gladly lie down on your pill
low TO be half as light of heart as you
are little Jamie, for have lost my faith
in everything, and with it all my happi-
ness ) and The heavy shadow which had
lifted for n while fell back darker than
before upon the anxious face beside the
bed.
If | were well and strong like you,
sir, ! think | should be so thankful
nothing could trouble me ! and with
sigh the boy glanced at the vigorous
frame and energetic countenance of his
new friend, wondering at the despondent
look he wore.
IF you were poor, so poor you had no
means wherewith to get crust of bread,
nor shelter for the night if you were
tired out with suffering and labor, soured
by disappointment and haunted by ambi-
tious hopes never to be realized, what
would you do, jamie ? suddenly asked
the young man, prompted by the desire
that every human heart has felt for sym
psthy and counsel, even from the little
creature before him, ignorant and mex
perienced as he was.
But the child, wiser in his innocence
than many an older counsellor, pointed
upward, saying with look of perfect
trust,
Il should look up TO the cross upon the
tower and think what Bess told me about
God, who feeds the birds and clothes the
flowers, and / should wait patiently,
feeling sure he would remember me-
The young man leaned his head upon
his folded arms and nothing stirred in the
room but the wind that stole in through |
The roses to fan the placid face upon the
pillow.
Are you weary waiting for me, Jamie
dear? l could not come before : and
as her eager voice broke the silence,
sister Bess came Fastening in.
The stranger, looking up, saw young
girl regarding him from Jamie's close en-
brace, with face whose only beauty was
The light her brother spoke of, that beam
ed warm and bright from her mild
and made the poor room
,airer for its presence.
This is Bess, my Bess, SIR cried the
BOY, 'and she will thank you for your
lindness in sitting here so long with me-
i am the person who lodges just be-
ow you l mistook this room for mY
,wn pardon me, und let me come again.
or jamie has already done me good
'eplied the stranger as he rose to 60.
'Bess dear, will you bring me cup of
vater% Jamie said and as she has
ened away he beckoned his friend near
IT, saying with timid, wistful look
Forgive me, if it is wrong, but / wish
'ou would let me give you this ; it's very
title, but it may help some; and / think
'ou'll take it to please poor jamie.
Non't you sir " and as he spoke, the child
'ffered bright coin, the proceeds of bis
work.
Tears sprang into the proud mans
yes be held the little wasted hand fast
n bis own a moment, saying seriously
i aeiU take it, jamie, as a loan where
With to begin anew ;he life was about
o fling away as readily as 1 do this ;
md with a quick motion be sent vial
vhirling down into the street. III try
he world once more in a humber spirit,
nd have faith in yOu, at least, my little