Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-19
AY ORPHAN AND AN ANGEL.
A STORY WITH A MORAL.

.
4 little pauper boy SAT down on the curb
s.ons sal tried to think. His feet were
bare, red, and toid; but never mind that.
Tns chill air penetrated his ragged garments,
lut never minl that. He wanted TO thiiik.
VINO are these people passing hun, looking
o. warm and colnIortabiel W hat did 1t
uls1n that they should be happy aud cheer
fl. ani he so sad? None Of them had such
heavy hearts; that ne was sure or. He
boxed up into the cold blue sky What
vas it, and wno lived up there? Somebody
sad once that God would take care OF nim
Wnere was God? Why didn't be take care
et am? Oh, II he could only see God for
one lite minute, o. the angel that the good
Ilea told him o: when his mother died!
Did toiks ever see God? Did they ever see
Angels?
An organ grinder came near and took his
stand. The melody he played lightened
the little boy $ heart somewhat; but 1t did
not make him lass hungry He kept shiv-
ering in spits Of the music; and he felt SO
oil alone, so despairin, Then the organ
grinder passed away; he never needed the
little child sitti Z on the curb-stone; he had
80 many things to think ot. The carriages
passed BY, and the carts, and company of
soldiers: but it was all dumb show To him
he was trying to think. with such dull pain
~ his heart. Presently three or four coarse
looking boys gathered behind him, and
winkod and laughed at each other. In an
other moment the youngest gave thrust,
ead over went the poor little homeless child
into the gutter One scream, one sob of
suguish, as he gathered himself up and
looked after the boys now flying away with
shouts of mirth On, how cruel 1t seemed
in theul-how cruell The little hungry boy
walked slowly on, sobbng and shivering to
himself. He didn't know what he was
walking for, or why he was living. He felt
out Of place "a poor III tie torlorn spirit that
had lost its Wsy--a bruised reed that any
one might break--a little heart so tender
that look WAS anguish, how much more q
blouI
The littls boy stood at last near the corner
Of streer. An apple stand, at which he
gs1ed with longing eyes, not far off was
tended by cross looking Old an. There
were cakes on the stand, and the poor little
mouth of tbs homeless child watered as he
saw one boy after anorher deposit his penny
and tske his cake. He had no penny, and
though there was hunger in his eyes, the
cross-looking old man never offered him a
morse.
The tempter came. The old mans back
vas tIrnel. A vile boy stood at his side
q. the side Of the homeless child-nudged
lis elbow. You take one, ne whispered,
IN give you halt.
Ths little child gared at him steadily.
H. saw something ia the beared face that
T44de him shrink-something set his heart
20 beating
i tell you, hook one" whispered the
boy, II won't tel, and we'll go away and
eat it.
Il don't want to steal, said the homeless
child
oh, you fool!" muttered the brutal
tempter, and smote him in the eyes, his
heavy hand dealing blow that sent the
poor little child quivering with anguish.
The terrible blow had almost blinded him
:or moment. A great sob had came up in
lis throat "Oh, what have done to be
Treated sof" There never, never was
God, or be should not let him suffer so, and
that because he refused to be wicked [
con believe that ever man in his deadlI-
I b reavement suffered more than that sad
il te child His heart was literally swelling
S.th grief, aai though he could not reason
a.. it. he felt as if there were great and
sore injustice somewhere.
Tie started to cross the street. A dark,
binding pain still made his poor temples
ing
Back back! Good heavens the child
Is under his teet, back back
OH, ln4Dflla, IL IL Our HpI>eS "iio iai
over poor little boy Oh. mamma,
Eiamua -
Is he hurt much, coachman p The
woman face was pale As ashes. Yes he Is
Ai.t badly. Take him right in don wait;
car-y nun right in aud up stairs. 1t was
Your care!essness. The child shall be at
tcI,ied TO -
There is no anguish now. Perhaps God
5,7 he had borne all he could, and so took
tie poor little broken heart to heal. How
very white and quiet "Oh, sweet face, a
sweet face ! murmured the woman, bend
ing over the boy; and tears fell upon his
forehead, but he did not feel them.
oh, the poor little boy !" sobs Nelly;
the poor little boy wish he had kept on
the sdewalk wish he had stayed home
with his mother"
Alas in this world there was no mother
to keep him.
The doctor came. said he was not dead,
pnt would very likely die. There was a
hospital near. The poor thing had better
Re sent there But the good woman would
aot allow that. He had been injured by
VI Z, her horses, and she felt it her duty
% attend to him. Besides, it was likely
mat the child had no mother. Such boy
: ne, with face SO sweet and girlish, so
yafe and loveable, would never be sent on
w. streets like that if he had mother.