Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-08-31
THEREPUBLICAN,
An Orphan and an Angel.


A little orphan boy sat down on the curb stone
end tried 20 think. His feet were bare, red and
cold; but never mind that. The chill air penetra-
ted his ragged garments, but never mind that
He wanted to think. Who are those people pas
aag him, looking so warm and comferta5e}--
What did it mean thar they should be happy and
cheerful and he so sad None of them had so
heavy heart; that he was sure of. He looked
up into the cold blue sky. What it, and who
hved up there2 Somebody said once that God
would take care Of him Where is God? Why
didn't He take care of himl Oh, il be could only
seeHod for one little minute. or the angel that
good men told him of when his mother died. Dill
folks ever sec God2 Did they ever see angeisl
An organ grinder came near an took his stand.
The melody he PLAYED lishtenei his heart some
what, but did not make him the less hungry. He
kept siverins in spite OF the music; and felt 50 all
alone, so despairing. Then the orgtn- grinder pas
sed away; he never needed the little child sitting
on the curb-s stones he had so many things 70 think
of. The carriages pissed by. and the carts, and
company of soldiers; but il all was dumb show to
him-he was trying TO think, with such a dull pain
In his heart Presently three or four coarse looking
boys gathered behind him and winked aad laughed
ST each other. In another moment the youngest
gave him thrust, and over he went, the poor little
rnotherlest child, into the gutter. One scream,
one sob of anguish, as he gathered himself up and
looked after the boys now flying away with shouts
of mirth. Oh, how crIel it seemed to him-how
cruel The little hungry boy walked slowly on.
sobbing and Shivering 10 himself. He did not know
~hathe was walking for. or why he was living
He felt out of placea poor little fororn spirit that
had lost its waT--a bruised reed that any might
break little heart 50 tender that look WAS an
guish, how much blow
The little boy stood at last near tie corner OF a
street. An apple stand. at which he gazad with
longing eyes, not far off, was tended by a cross
lookin. old min. There were cakes on the stInd,
and the stand, and the poor little mouth OF the
homeless child witered a he boy after
another deposit his penny-and take his cake lie
had no penny, and though there Was hnugerin his
eyes, the cross looking old did cot offer him
mOrsel
The tem1ter came. The old mln's back WIS
turned. A vile boy stood at the side Of the home
less child, and nudSed his elbow. 'You take one,'
he whispered; "I'l give you half"
The little child elzsl athin steadily. He saw
something in the beared fIce that ade him shrink
something that set his heart TO beating.
al tell you TO hook one Whispered the boy
"I won't tell, AMI we'll 20 away and eat it."
al don't want to steal, siiI this homeless
child.
ooh, YOU foolr' ilrrtterei the brutal temper
and smote him in the eyes. his heavy hani dealing
allow that sent the poor little child quiyering with
anguish, the terrible blow had almost blinded him
for moment A great sob hsd come up into his
tEroat. "Oh, what have done to be treated sol"
There never, never, was I God or he would not let
him suffer so, and that because he refused to be
wicked. / don't believe man in his dealiest be-
reayement suffered more than that little child
His hear; swelling with grief, and though he
could not reason about it, he felt as though there
were great and sore injustice somewhere.
He started to cross the street 4 dark binding
pain still made his poor temples ring.
SHACK, back, Good heavens. the child is under
bis feet. backI back
"Oh, msmml. it Is our horse who ran over a poor
little bov. Oh, mamml. mlmml!'
II .-.-..u
lace was as pale al ashes. yes, he Is hurt badly"
Take him right in don't wait: carry him right ia
and up stairs. IL was your caTlessnass. The child
shall be attended to-
There is no anguish now. Perhaps God
that he had borne all that he could. and took the
broken little heart TO heal How very quiet
"Oh, a sweet face, sweet hce.' mU'mdred the
woman, bending over the boy, aud tears fell upon
his forehead, but he did aOt feel them.
"Oh. the poor little boy! sObbed Nelly; "the
poor little boy wish he had stayed 1T home with
his MOTHER
Alas in this world there was no mother to keep
him.
The doctor came, said he WAS not dead, but
would very likelv die. There WAS ! hospital near.
The poor thing had better be sent there. But the
good woman would not allO that. He had been
injured by one of her horses ami she felt 1t heg du
~ to attend to him. Besides, il likely the
child had no mother. Sucha boy he, with
face so sweet and girish, SO pure, and loyable,
would never be sent the streets ike that il he
had mother. Eesides-and here her tears fell
there was little mound, not yet green, over such
child. No, no; il was lot in her heart 70 put the
wounded boy away Let him stay whether he
lived or died.
The weary, weary DAYS passed on. One morn
ing the l'ttle boy opened his dim blue ewes, but be
did not know himself. His glances fell YEARLY
on his hands. There were white bands around his
wrists, with ruffies on them The bed was snowy
white, too and crimson Ii .ht fell over everything
''Dear God,I am in heaven" murmured the
child. "Yes, God will take OF me now
What visions of loneliness glanced forth from
the shadow behind the bed. The rich curls tell
around face of exquisite beauty. The beaming
eye locke love and gladness upon him.
"Oh yes, there is an angelr' he sid, softly
glad They won't knock me over again; they
won't want me to steal apples here, and AMI per-
haps shall never die again. Now | want to see
my mother" -.
my dear boy, are you better this morningF'
asked low soft voice.
He turned slowly and YEARLY.
rs it mother7'' he murmer d.
"Oh yesr' and there were quick sobs AMI tears;
Eyes. my little child. will be your mother. anil you
shall be my son. Will you love me dearlyl"
"Yes, | do love you, mother; and is it Heav-
EN-"
Heaven no, darling it is earth; but God sen,
you here to hearts, and you shall be loved and
cared for. See here is little sister, and you will
be happy with her. Kiss him, Nellie"
Her rosy lips touched his pale ones, and a heay-
emily smile lighted up his face. The past was not
forgotten, but it was gone. No more more mouliy
crusts, oaths, harsh words and blows No more
begging al basement doors, and looking half fam
ished, to envy doy knawing bone in the streets.
No more fear of rude children who never knew
where their own hearts lay; no more sleeping on
door-steps, and listening in terror to the drunk en-
quarrels of the vicious and deprlve1.
Yes, the past gone, and in therosy future were
love, home, even God and the angels. Certainly
sweet spirits had guarded that child, and guided
out Of seeming evil into positive good. Surely,
henceforth be would put his hand trustingy in
theirs, and turn his face heavenward Yes it was
50 10 be-. The dear teachable child.--l iewel pick
cd from the mire-i brand snatched from the burn
ing-was yet to illumine the dark paths of this
world with his holy, he.ven-like teaching. Like
the dove he was to 90 forth over the waters, and
find the olive branch with which garland his glad
tidngs. Blessings, then, on all who hold theiI
arms out toward needy little children, making theiI
hornaa la of rafnpa RaaufiFl,l star= shall thax