The Portland daily press., 1864-08-25
MISCELLANY.
Ths Clean White Bed.

MS Ol6du W Alto 9Uus
II was In the hospital. There was double
row OF these beds in q long room that they
had called "Ward," and on almost every
one there lay sick woman or sick child,
and kind, gentle nurse walked about with
quiet step, TO minister to the wants Of the pa
tient.
The window was large, and overlooked a
beautiful green park and green hill, that the
sick people could see as they rested upon
their beds, and the sun came in to visit them,
and touched all things with a sort OF glo-
ry.
Little Susie opened her eyes and looked
about with wonder. She thought she must
be In Paradise, everything was SO differeut
from any last night; then she was lying upon
dirty straw in the corner OF gloomy ceiiar
door, aud her father and mother were haVlng Y
drunken brswl, and they had driven her out
Of the poor bed TO give them more WHISKY
from the corner store.
Wretched little creaturel She was afraid 10
refuse to go, and go, with tin pail in her
hand, she went TO cross the street In the dark
ness, aud tumbled and fell just where the
horse cars were passing along. That was the
last she could recollect, until now the beau.
teous light beamed upon her clean white bed
and there was grateful hush over the place
She was afraid to stir, lest it shonld prove
dream, for angels had sometimes visited hei
in her lowly hoyel, and brought visions O
beauty and joy, which had fled when hei
sleep was over, and left alone the sad
miserable home with all of its bitter reali
ties.
Nurse saw her put her hands up in the ali
"a feel II II were real, and she came and leaned
ser her pleasant face.
+Don't move, little one," said she, "you car
put your arms where you want to, but your
les Is broken, and you must lie rs still as you
can, and it will get we'll all the sooner"
The child looked disappointed. she knew
that when people were nuri, and went 70
the hospital, they must 90 out again as soon
As the wound was well, aud the memory oil
home was worse to her than the pain OF her
broken liEb.
Tue tears came into her eyes and rolled 81.
lentiy dosn her cheeks, and nurse wiped then
tenderly away.
"God wipes away tears,r thought the little
thing who had stolen sometimes into the mis-
sion school and heard Bible verses, which she
could remember, though not quite ~ they arr
written In the Scriptures.
Nurse sroaght her some piaythings. doll
and bright cover, and a picture OF . lamb
but she seemed only TO care 10 lie with her
eyes wide open, dreamily looking al the light
that streamed 10 at the window, aud at the
over Il, and her littls hands touched the snowy
pillow md the white sheets and eounterpane
with almost IS mach affection a. you would
touch your mothers pure brow.
There was q card hung upon the post ol
the beds lead with the figure 8 upon Ii and
this number ans wered 70 a name in the hospi
TAI, where many times strange people were
brought In, and died before their names were
knowa.
the chaplain came 70 visit the wards, and
the doctor said 10 him as he stood near the
entrance TO the room where the child lay
"Win you please look at No. 8? We do no,
think she will live many days; the fracture L
q bao one, and she Is SO reduced from want
OF proper food, and from exposure TO damp
weather, thai there is but slight chance ior
her.
-Will you say, Our Father with me ?H
asked the man OF God bending down to kiss
the Little sufferer, and laying his hand in bless
ing upon her head.
"Jesus blessed little children murmured
Susie, who was fast nearing her eternal home
then rs the knelt beside her to pray, her lips
echoed the holy words that all good little
children love TO say-"0ur Father who art In
heaven
For three days the minister came and knelt
by her and whispered to her Of God and of
heaven, and mingled his voice with her little
voice In prayer to Him whose ear is always
open TO little children.
The fourth day she was wandering. but all
through her incoherency her mind seemed to
dwell upon the clean, white bed, SO much did
her soul love purity, though she had been liv-
ing In an almost beastly den.
At evening, just as the sun was setting, the
chaplain came again, and nurse sat by the child
70 fan her, and to perform any little kind Office
that she might require.
"She will soon be with Jesus" said the
chaplain, shat is far better than to remain
here
Susie seemed TO hear the welcome words,
for she fixed her dimming eyes earnestly upon
the minister's face, then with convulsive
effort she drew the white spread up to her
lips and kissed 1t, and murmuring sour
Father" she fell asleep to awake in the world
OF purity and peace.
Blessed are the pure 10 heart. for they shall
see God" Mothers Magazine"