Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-20
Remember the Orphans To night.

| hemeD1Der Tue OTpndHS Az H.
The fate of the orphan is sad one in
whatever light we may behold it. Their
tears fall like the night dews, but no kind
mother or father is there to wipe them
away, or sing the sweet lullaby that watts
them to the blessed land of dreams. These
children are the children of our city.
Many Of them saw their fathers the last
time marching off under the STARS and bars.
They are truly the children Of the State,
and many of them might be made jewels
Of the Commonwealth, if they are pro-
perly trained and educated. A few be-
nevolent ladies have gathered these little
children together and bought them beau
tiful home in the suburbs Of our city.
These ladies need money to feed and clothe
these children, and they are now having
fair at the Masonic Temple to raise money
for that purpose Last night the crowd
was small. The attractions are so various
and the cause so truly noble, that We hope
TO see the hall overlooking to night. Let
everybody who would dry up one tear and
soothe one sorrsw, go to the Masonic Hall
tonight. We give below the heart-wail
of the poor, homeless orphan, which will
touch many hearts, and, We hope, open
many purses:
Alone in the dreary, pitiless streets,
With my torn old dress aud bare cold feet,
All day have wandered to and fro,
Hungry and shivering, and nowhere to go;
The nights coming on IN darkness and dread,
Ard the chill sleet beating upon my bare head
Oil why does the wind blow upon me so Wild
Is il because I'm nobody's child2
Just over the way there's food of light,
And warmth and beauty, and all things bright
Beautiful children in robes so fair,
Are csrOling songs in rapture there;
| wonder If they, in their blisstul glee.
Would Iity poor little beggar like me.
Wandering alone in the merciless street.
Naked and shiveTing, and nothing to eat.
Oh! what shall do when the night comes down,
In its terrible blackness, all over the town;
Shall lay me down meath the angry sky,
On the cold. hard pavement. alone to die2
When the beautiful children their prayers have
said.
And mammas have tucked them up snugly in
bed
No dear mother ever upon me smiled;
Why is 1t. wonder I'm nobody child
No father, no mother, no sister, not one
In all the world loves me- cen the little dogs
run
When wander too near them; It's wondrous
to see
How everything shrinks from beggar like me
Perhaps tits a dream but sometimes when | lie
Gazing far up in the dark blus sky,
Watching for hours some large. bright star,
| fancy the beautiful gates are ajar.
And host Ofwhite-robed. nameless things,
Come huttering over me in gilded wings;
A hand that is strangely soft and fair,
Caresses gently my tangled hair.
And voice like the carol of some wild bird
The sweetest voice that ever was heard
Calls me many dear pet name,
Till my heart and spirit are all ahame.
And tells me Of such unbOunded love.
And bids me come up to their home above;
And then with such pitful sad surprise,
They look at me with their soft. sweet blue eyes,
And it seems to me. out of the dreary night,
| am going up to that world of light;
And away from the hunger aud storm so Wild
| am sure l shall then be somebody's childl