Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-07-24
LITTLE CHERRY's MISSION,

Little Cherry, homeless and forlorn, wan
dering through the streets of New York one
cold December day, did not seem of much
Importance to anybody. She had begged a
few pennies, and bought some hard cakes at
corner stall; she had stood over the grating
of restaurant and warmed her chilled limbs
comforting herself with the savory steam ri
sing from the room below. And now night
had come. The shop windows sparkled
with light; the rows of lamps on every cor
ner twinkled like stars. People hurried
home to pleasant houses and warm suppers;
Cherry stood and shivered until she was tir-
ed walked block or two, and paused to
hang about some brilliant show window.
She could remember how happy she had
been III her mother time She had borne
warm affection toward Old Granny, as
they called her, because she had been so.
klEd to this dear mother in her last illness.
Even now Cherry's eyes filled with tears
thinking it over. And then she had lived
with Gran, who went about the streets
with hand organ, while Cherry sang.
But now Gran" was dead She had staid
day or two with a good natured Irishwom-
an, but her seven children were as MANY as
she could feed. And on Saturday some one
was coming to take her to Wards Island,
where homeless children are cared for.
cherry didn't want to 60 She confus-
ed 1t somehow with Blackwelfs Island and
prison, and the thieves she knew went
there. She had never. stolen so much as a
penny In all her iife.. And so she had run
away that morning, and here she was. a
Fanderer. She glanced into the window,
thinking it all over. And something else
came to her in vague, childish way-the
pleasant talk she had heard at Sunday
HDt (,S,H fnr IL Il.
ana helped each one to he strong and good,
and not to lie, nor steal, nor swear: and
how that each one in his turn had some
mss M; on to perform. Was it true? There
didn't seem anything for her but to
HNarve, or to perish with the cold, or go to
Ward Island. No wander she shivered
and drew her thin shawl close around her
shoulders
Julian Evans, walking briskly along, just
gave her glance. His bright eye and ro
y cheeks looked SO nice his warm coat
was Io!uttoned up to round, dimpled chin,
ana his curly chestnut hair fell over his ears.
such brisk, healthy, spirited fellow
lie entered, and Cherry saw him talking
yyaergetlcaly to the storekeeper. Then the
Ight of his eyes went down suddenly, and |
le corners of his mouth lost their smile. |
GS,1nerry felt SO sorry for him.
Inc lowest is twelve dollars;" and the |
Iah placed some curious boxes down on
tle counter. I'VE have had cheaper ones,
Iut they were not satisfactory-continual /
!! getting out of order This is a very good
article let me wind it up
such music as it made Julian lis
::sned with throbbing heart He wanted
MS, II 50 for little pale Alice at home, whose
IIn9Iy change now from the bed was being
iIoistered up in great armc chair. She
%%'ed music SO dearly And if he could
W ~ any thing to make her happier this little
mile! "h5Ie! He swallowed down great sob,
Sa Sal Wlnked away a tear A sturdy boy of
a,seen1 to-day was his birthday. People
tsonerally received presents instead, at such |
sneS' but he had been doing little over
s sUrH and saving up his money to buy
SS,aqhsic-oox for Alice He had only eight
solIarS, and it would take so long to earn the
,'sI IN this slow way! o, if he was only
Ian uan what pretty home they should all
ave ave! Pictures, and birds, and flowers,
iru music for Alice. Now nothing. He
"VgShed gsId away tear
al. put it at eleven" said the man.
s'ni1ns sYJi5ans heart swelled. If the man
sud SUD trust him for the rest! But he, a
NTTlger-:hat was foolish.
ii. little music box rang out its tunes all
s while. Presently it came to Home,