Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-07-22
,..Ii.-.L.Ll--
NIARGERY.

The bells of the village church had been
ringing sweet and clear, and the sound was
borne on the summer air miles away, maxi
ing solemn music, Which was very pleasant
to a little lonely heart. '.i!0' '.'-''" .
On the stone steps of the farmhouse
watching the shadows, or looking now and
then with awistful glance toward the bright
Margery whoP "That was all, she had
no other name," she said, when strangers
questioned her. ..''A' '' ~.
Farmer James had found her one wintry
night on snow-drift by the road side. She
was warmly wrapped and sheltered from
the storm Several changes of clothing, a
sum of money, paper on which was writ
ten "Margery," were in basket near. She
had been kept by the farmers wife, who
hoped some day to be rewarded and who
at first built many air-castles, which had
for their foundation the coming of Mar
gery's rich friends. She assure they were
rich, she said, for the child's clothing was
fine and soft, and the lace upon the little
gown was worth more than her best Sun
day gown.
But as years passed and these unknown
persons gave no sign, she grew weary of
her charge, and by degrees Indifference
gave way to actual unkirdness.
Poor little Margery, what had she done,
and why was she so unlike the happy chill
dren whom she sometimes met? She often
wondered, as she did that Sunday after
noon, sitting in the sunshine, how many
miles off heaven was, and whether she could
walk there if she tried? 81 wish knew"
she said. 81 wish knew which road to
take, and had somebody to 60 with me, tor
| am so tired Of living herew
Little children, who with folded hands,
say your Now lay me down to Sleep"
who are laid to rest by loving hands, with
your mothers goodnight kisses on your
lips-little happy children-how blest' are
you who read wonderingly of this child,
whose life was so unlike your own
Margery had been taken once by a kind
neighbor with her children, to the village
Sunday-school. There she heard, for the
first time, of beautiful place called heav-
en-, the home of God and his angels. The
good old minister was talking of Jesus-of
earth, whom he still loved in heaven, where,
after death, good children would 90 to be
shining angels in the sky. o.,
Margery went home like one in happy
dream. She scarcely heard the scolding
words that Mrs. James poured out like
torrent. She should not always have to be
scolded and beaten. She should not always
be tired and lonely. There was some one
who would love her if she could only reach
Him; there was beautiful home if she
only knew the way there.
She kept the sweet thoughts in her little
sad heart; dreamed of them when she slept,
and took comfort in them as she went upon
her errands day by day, or tended the fret
full child whose mother had so little pity for
her desolation. ''
. One morning when the busy dame SEEM
ed to be in an unwonted mood, more gentle
than she remembered. to have seen her,
Margery took courage and ventured to ask
pied so many of her thoughts. .
"If you please, ma'am, how far is it to
heaven?" ,"' u. @.''' '' W. u.s.
I'D The astonished woman dropped her iron,
putting in danger thereby her good mans
Sunday linen. -l-------
'''What put that into your head, I'd like
to know?" ..,.,,
Poor frightened Margery, for once hen
anxiety to hear something of the blissful
home she was determined to, seek, gave her
courage. ,, -. r.. '.'.,'1, 49,.
II heard the minister talk about God in
heaven, and thought if it wasn't too far
and am 1 could find the way, I'd like to get
. gsWelb + never said Mrs. James, and
turning fiercely upon the, child, sDo, you
think its a place for the likes Of you? be-
cause, if you do you're mistaken, ] can tell
you. Try to get there, indeed J think you
may try! Now do you just go and shell
them peas, and don't let me hear you talk
such foOlishness againr, ,.,'i ..i i,,''l r,g+ ii
a So the child went out once more into the
shadow that had so long been like a pail on
her heart, and the great hope that had been
like a sunny CLEAN for a little while, sud-
denly faded out of her yearning heart. .gr
. But the longing was still there. Margery
had never been taught prayer; she did not
know that God could read her every thought
and wish; that his eye of love was always
watching oyer her; If she had, she would
not have fallen asleep SO, often, with her
cheeks wet with tears, or have looked
around on the meadows, and up into the
sky as then with such hungry feeling for
love and kindness. l-, n. tdr1o,tt hUc ~
= She was alone, as she had often been on
Sabbath days; no mothers loving fingers
fashioned dainty robes for Margery; "she
ought to be thankful" |" Mrs, James told her,
"to have such decent clothes; it wasn't eve
ry one who would give them to her-rbut
for her part, she couldn't abide rags!Y 5it ID
The decent, clothes, however, made &C, ,
hibit the child who wore them, to gossiping
neighbors. ..,o,..sss c,s. ,,r.e,
So the little girl stayed quietly at home,
alone, as | said before, except that "Watch,"
the house dog, moved lazily after her when
she walked about, and sometimes rubbed
his cold nose against, her hand, and wagged
his tail as much Z as TO say, "Don't fret here
r And the great Friend above all others