The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-01-03
/ a 9tW clears STORY fur tito Children.
Written for the "CARRIER's OFFERING.
LIIILE EDDIE=
T II f DRIP HAN NEW S-BOY

/ II Ii - IL / IL "A N y s. " > = b y I
The wintry winds beat high, and blew
in torrents, hail, sleet and rain. A thinly
clad little boy WAS Drawing the storm
as he trudged through the icy street
with q bundle Of newspapers under
his arm, accosting every one he Glanced
to meet, With :" Buy a paper, sir; only
half a dime.''
But it seemed as if no ole wished the
news on this bleak December morning,
ing his weary round until his limbs
almost refused to carry him any farther,
and his heart had sunk with II him, had
still as many papers as when he took
them fresh and steaming from the
counting-room of the Office. The clay
was not more dark and cheerless than
the gloomy future before him. His daily
bread depended on the sale of his papers.
Since the early morn he had not tasted a
morsel OF nourisllment, and now the
sun, though not visible, was fast sinking
to rest in his Western home, and yet he
had not sold enough to buy his scanty
'''f Exhausted, tired and heart-sick, he
sought shelter from the piercing wind
behind Il corner of the street, and sat
him down to dream OF the happy home
he once had land Of his angel mother.
Chilled by intense cold he soon fell
into that sweet, dreamy stupor that
always precedes death by freezing. He.
dreamed that he WAS again in his once
happy home; his angel mother had
come back to earth, and his father occu-
pied his wonted seat in the cold arm
chair" 1t was Christmas eve, and old
Santa, GlnI1S had moor, fbnrn and f lnd his
stockings with sWeetmeats. Around him
were gathered his little playmates, view
ing with wondering eyes his envied
store. He was so happy.
While thus dreaming in the bitter
cold, gentleman and his daughter
passed by in splendid carriage. The
| daughter-a little girl with a true wo-
MANS heart-notieed him lying OH the
door step as they passed, and thinking
he was sick or dead, urged her father to
turn back and see. The gentleman lift
ed the stitfened form from its icy bed
the features were cold and rigid, but the
pulse gave token that life was not
wholly extinct. The seemingly lifeless
form of the little outcast was placed in
the carriage and taken to the gentle
mans residence. Medical aid was sum-
moned. and soon the red currents were
made to flow through the channels Of
life-the newsboy opened his CLASSY
eyes, and the first words that fel! from
his lOOsened tongue We're, g Mother
don't leave me in this cold world; take
me up to your heaven hOme-no one
loves me here"
Again his eyes closed, and for hours
he lay, unconscious of everything pass
ing around. When again he oped them,
little Minnie, daughter Of the gentle
man at whose house he was, stood by
him watching anXiously the ebb and
flow of the crimson tide that alternately
mantled his pale cheek. He knew not
yet where he was, and casting his eyes
around the maeniticently furnished room
-(such grandeur he had never before
seen -.he thought he had suddenly been
waited from earth to heaven and was in
the presence Of angels.
Where am / little angelo" he said,
addressing Minnie, F" is this heaven? if
! it is, where is my mother ?-she lives in
| heaven"
I" No, little wanderer," said Minnie,
"this is not heaven-you are in my
papas house. We found you on the
street corner last evening nearly frozen
to death, and brought you here. My
papa is very kind and will let You
| reIldlll WIFI us always, dilO you WIFI
not have to go out in the cold any more
to sell papers,"
ooh, you are an angel l know yoa
are; you look like one, and | never
heard such sweet voice on earth
before"
Well Minnie, how is the little boy by
this time" said her father, stepping into
| the room.
ooh papa, he will soon be well, and
you will let him stay with us always,
won't you. 1t is so cold for him to be on
the street selling papers,"
Eyes, dear, if you wish it, he may re-
main with us. | think he is not bad like
most newsboys."
The next day the little fellow-Eddie
we will call him-was able to set up.
Although still weak and nervous, his
dark eyes were fast assuming their
wonted brilliancy; his face its sweet ex-
preston, and his high, manly forehead
was fast losing its ashy paleness, and be-
coming more life-like. Soon he. vas
quite well again, and he and Minnie be-
came fast friends. She was an only child;
her mother died when she was but two
years old, and never having experienced
- ,nothQr,s Kindness or a sisters or