Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-05-18
*, Wr :.
Grandpa's Beggar Boy.

dark, gloomy, musty cellar, in q narrow lane
"nere tue sunshine never beams, where the birds
lever Sing, where the flowers never grow, where
n' - filth and rottenness; and he lay, yes, our
darling Charley lay upon a few bundles Of damp
straw, with only a thin sheet to cover him, and
SO pale, wan and emaciated-"
Mary, command you to cease, and the old
mans voice fairly trembled with anger. " he
made his own bed-let him lie in it.
'' But papa, the veriest sinner in the world
would gain your pity, did he suffer as now does
your only son. And then his wife, so careworn,
yet SO sanity, and his two sweet babes"
% Hearken to me, Nary" exclaimed Mr.. Som
ers, in a vehement tone q if you stop not this
instant further pleading for" in spite of his
anger his voice grew husky here, % infatuated
boy, that uniilal son, that rebel to home ; if you
ever speak again of him to me or any other
friend, III cut you of with one shilling wnl.
ay by all the saints in the calendar, will. Go
TO your room, before curse you too he was
going to say, but then she gided softy his knee
nestled upon it as in olden time wound her fair
arms about his neck, and hushed his voice with
kisses.
GO to, sis, you are but foolish girl after
all, and mean we'll enough" said he gently, as
one and another sweet caress melted upon his
lips and cheeks, I" but you love me and as you
value your inheritance, never again allude to
this suject. interdict it henceforth and for
ever
And the old man gently touched her pale fore
head with his lips, and gazing moment in her
dark blue eyes, brmful OF tears, turned abruptly
from her, put on his overcoat, gloves and hat,
took up his gold-headed cane and walked away
1t was bright, beautiful winters morning
A slight snow had fallen the night before, and
now every dingy root sparkled like marble ter
race, while the streets and bywavs seemed lined
with swans down, SO featherly were the pure
drifting fakes that had witnessed their dark
pathways.
1t was yet early, and but few abroad Mr.
Somers' foostep the first that implinted it.
self on the yielding snow, and child-lke, he
pleased himself with marking how straight was
the path he made, and how regular the fall of
his foot. But the long avenue paced at
length, and he came to a crowded thoroughfare,
and was jostied about all the rest. He went to
the market, the grocery and coal yard, for the
wants of his family reached to all three that
morning, and then turned his steps once more
towards home. The walks were not yet swept,
and as he again traverSed the noble street, at
whose further end stood his princey home, be
saw with pleasure his own footprints yet fresh
in the snow, and he carefully followed the track
He had walked half the distance when a Slight
hoase cough arrested his attention. The sound
came from behind him, and looking back, he
saw little boy four or five years DID, only few
yards distant, and was amused to see the efforts
He 10 lO!iOW III MS own DrOaQ steps. NOW
60 up, now 60 down" would he say to him
self 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 a loud
hurrah. But in the midst of his glee, his foot
slipped and down he went. But he lay only a
moment and then was gently raised by Mr.. Som
ers, wEo exclaimed as he held him in his arms
/" Now you are up"
'ies, sir, and now am down." and he slid
from his arms and stood proudly alone. "It
didn't hurt me, SIR
You are 4 brave boy, not to cry over fall
like that. Who are you and where do you live ?''
oh, am only little beggar now, and
live in little cellar too. Please sir, did you
ever beg, and will you tell me how, cause moth
-er sent me out to beg breakfast for US all, and
don't know what to say, only am very hungry,
and so is little sis and poor mother and sick
father, too. Are people good to little beggars,
sir ?'
There was nairette about the little one so
earnest and so true, that it melted the old man IS
heart entirely and too full of tears 10 speak, he
only took the chid'S hand in his own, and led
him to his own warm breakfast room. Softly
did Harry, for such he told them was his name,
nestle in the velvet chair that was drawn close
to the glowing 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 Har-
~, what would you like to eat?"
- Buckwheat cakes and honey, sir. l used
to love them dearly, and we used to have them
fore papa grew sick and poor" And it did the
old mans heart good to see the little beggar
eat.
Why, you are half starved" )" said be.
"Oh, yes, sir, we've been starving for week,
but mother couldn't bear to own that
beggars till to-day. Please sir, you've got so
much to eat, won't you let me bring her and lit
l,a;,- hracl rr;r
for father? He's too sick to walk SO far.
.Ay," said the host, that will. Fix US
basket, Susan, and bid Thomas bring the carri-
age. l am too tired to walk again. How would
you like ride, my little fellow "a
% y ride and will you be good? Oh, l
should love it dearly, and you IL take mother
and little sister along, and father, too, won t you,
he's so sick?" And the tears stood in his
pleading eyes.
SAY, 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
wondrous little beggar boy
And | do know how to beg? Oh, I'm so
glad, sir, cause now I'll keep them all in vic
tuals every day, and maybe sornebody'l give
wood and coal, cause its cold to be without
fire.
husky tone, and taking up the heavy basket and
bidding Harry follow, 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, '' and where
are you going, father
oh, I'm little beggar boy, and this good
old man is going to take some yictuals to ny
home, and then give US ride. Ny name is Har-
ry-but you, lady, who are you? Who-you
are-yes, yes-you are the same sweet Que that
came to our cellar once, and cried so over Us.
What did you tell me then to call you? Oh, l
know it was Aunt Mary, and you said you d
tell my grandpa what fine little grandson was
growing up for him to love. Please lady, tell
me, is this my grandpa ~
.'Yes, Harry
"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, oh,
so sweetly, and you're SO big can't reach you
unless you stoop. But what makes you cry, sir
Amt yoa glad that I'm your little grandson? :!
won't have to beg my bread any longer, you II
give it to me, after this, if don't ask, won t
you ?''
The lion in the old man heart was tanned, and
little child now led him. The soft white arms,
were folded about his neck the down-like cheeks