The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-12-13

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saw with pleasure his own footprints
yet fresh in the snow, and carefully fol-
lowed the track. He had walked half
the distance, when a slight hoarse cough
arrested his attention. The sound came
from behind him, and looking back he
saw a little fellow but four or five years
old, only few yards distant, and was
amused to see the efforts he made to
follow him in his own broad footsteps.
| "Now go up, now go down." would
he say to himself, as he raised and let
fall his tiny feet, and then when they
: dropped in the right place, he would
clap his little red hands and shout aloud
hurra. But in the midst of his gle>-,
his foot slipped and down he went.
But he lay only a moment, anu then
exclaimed as he held him to his arms,
'snow you are up"
eyes, sir, and now am down." and
! he slid from his arms and stood proudly
| alone. at didn't hurt me, SIR
"You are brave boy not to cry over
fall like that. Who are you, and
where do you live?"
80, I am little beggar now, and /
live in cellar too. Please sir, did you
ever beg, and will you tell me how,
cause mother sent me out to beg some
breakfast for us all, and l don't know
what to say, only Pm very hungry and
SO is little sis and poor mother, and
sick father too. Are people good to lit
tie beggars, sir?'
There was a naivette about the little
one, SO earnest and SO true, that it mel
ted the old mans heart entirely, and
too full of tears to speak, he only took
the child's hand in his own and led him
%C h; pxr,, nr,,, hroo Il 70 ST room Soft.
ly did Harrie. for such he told them
was his name, softly did he nestle in the
chair that was drawn close to the glow
ing crate, and with wondering eyes did
he look about him while Mr.. Somers
and the maid rubbed his red palms and
feet.
"And now that you are warmed young
Harrie, what would you like to eat?"
"BuckWheat cakes and honey, sir. /
used to love them dearly fore papa
grew sick and poor" And it did the
old mans heart good to see the little
beggar eat.
he.
go, yes, sir, we've been starving for
a week, but mother couldn't bear to own
we were beggars till to-day. Please
sir, you've got so much to eat, wont you
let me bring her and little sister to eat
their breakfast. and give us something
for father? He's too sick to walk so
| far"
cay" said the host, that will I. Fix
up basket, Susan, and bid Thomas
| bring the carriage. l am too tired to
walk again. How would you like a
ride, my little fellow.
ga ride, and will you be so good? o.,
I should love it dearly, and you'll take
mother and little sister along, and ia
ther too, won't you, cause he's SO sick?''
And the tears stood in his pleading
eyes.
GAY, ay. And little fellow. let me
tell you, you know how to beg, as do
| but few, for your words drop clean into
the heart. You are Wonderous little
beggar boy"
"And do 1 know how to beg? O, Pm
so glad, sir, cause now I'll keep them
all in victuals every day, and may be
somebody'll give me wood and coal,
cause it's so cold to be without fire.
"Now we will ride said Mr.. Somers
in husky tone, and taking up the
heavy basket and bidding Harrie fol-
low, he walked to the front door.
While his hand was on the knob, Mary
came gliding down the stairway.
"Pray, who is this" said she, land
where are you going, father"
go, Pm little beggar boy, and this
good old man is going to take some vic
tuals to my home, and then give us all
a ride. My name is Harry--but you,
lady, who are you? Why-you-are
yes-you are the same sweet one that
came to our cellar once, and cried so
over us. What did you tell me then to
call you?-O, / know: it was Aunt Ma
~, and you said you'd tell my grandpa
What fine little grandson was growing
up for him to love. Please, ladyis this
my grandpa?
Eyes Harrie."
"Stoop down, sir, if you please, for
mother always told me when saw my
grandpa, must put my arms around
his neck and kiss him, O., so sWeetly,
and you're SO big. sir, | can't reach you,
unless you stoop! But what makes you
cry sir!' Amt you glad that Pm your
little grandson? l won't have to beg
my bread any longer; you'll give it to
me, after this, if | don't ask, say won't
you"
The lion in the old mans heart was
tanned, and little child now led him.
The soft white arms were folded about
his neck, the doWn-like cheeks pressed
IL -, x,yhilo lipc 1nat Ii ms in kisses