The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1868-01-16
The woman's face pale as ashes.
.Yes, he is hurt badly"

wait; carry HIM right up stairs
1t was your carelessness. The
child shall be attended TO-"
There is no anguish now =
Perhaps God saw he had borne
all he could, and SO took the
poor little broken heart TO heal,
How very white and quiet!
ooh, sweet face-a sweet,
sweet face! murmured the w0-
man, bending over the boy;
and tears fell upon his fore.
head, but he did not feel them.
"Oh, the poor little boy!''
sobs Nelly, "the poor fttle boy!
RI wished he had kept on the
sidewalk, / wish he had staid
at home with his mother"
Alas!in this world there was
no mother to keep him.
The doctor came, SAID he
was not dead, but would very
likely die. There was a hOspi-
tai near. The poor thing had
better be sent there. But the
good woman would not allow
that. She would care for him
herself, she said. He had been
injured by one of her horses,
and she felt it was her duty to
attend to him. Besides it was
likely the child had no mother.
Such a boy as Ire, with a face
so sweet and girlish, so pure
and lovable, would never be
sent on the streets like that, il
he had a mother. Besides,
(and here her tears fell) there
was a little mound not yet
green over just such a child
No, no; it was not in her heart
to put the poor wounded boy
away. Let him stay, whether
he lived or died. .as .....
The weary, weary days pass.
ed on. One morning the lit
tie boy opened his dim blue
eyes, but he did not know him.
self. His glance fell YEARLY
on his hands. There were
white bands around his wrist
with ruflles on them. The bed
| was so snowy white, too, and q
crimson light fell on everything
"Dear. God! l am in heav.
en-" "murmured the child. Yes
God will take care of mo now.'
What vision Of lovelines'
glanced forth from the shadow
behind the bed? The rich curlt
fell around a face Of exquisite
beauty, The beaming eyes
looked love and gladnesS upon
him.
"Oh, yes there is an angel
he said softly. 81 am glad. =
They won't knock me Ovel
again; they won't want me tc
steal apples here; and perhaps
| shall never die again. Now
want to see my mother"
"My dear boy, are you bet
ter this morning?' asked a low
soft veiCc. -t--"
lie turned slowly, YEARLY
'Is it itmother?" he murmured
ooh, yes and there were
quick sobs and tears; eyes, my
little child, | will be your
mother and you shall be my
son. Will You love me dearly?'
"Ies, | do love you mother
is it heaven.
"Heaven. no darling, it j:
earth; but God sent you here
to our hearts, and you shall be
loved and cared for. See, here
is a little sister, you will be
happy with. Kiss him Nelly.
Her rosy lips touched hi
pale one, and a heavenly smile
lighted up his face. The pas
was not forgotten, but it wa:
gone. No more mouldy crusts
Oaths, hard words and blows
No more begging at basemen
doors, and locking half fam
ished to envy a dog gnawing
bone in the streets. No more
fear of rude children, who nev
er knew where their hearts lay
no more sleeping on door-steps
and listening in terrOrto drunk
Ell quarrels Of the depraved.
Yes, the past was gone; anC
in the rosy future were love
home, even God and the an
gels. Certainly sweet spirit
had guarded that child, ant
guided him out of seeming evi
into positive good. Surel,
henceforth he would put hi
hand trustingly in theirs, ant
turn his face heavenward.-
Yes, it was SO to be. The dea
teachab bic child-a jewe
picked from the mire, a bran
snatched from the burning
was yet to illuminate the dar
paths of this world with hi
holy, heaven-like teaching
Like a dove he was to go fort