New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-06-14
Chapter II.

taken her, even If she does take Mag away |
Chapter II.
The following morning was the fresh
opening of beautiful day, and as the cool
breeze waited in through Mrs. Linton's win
dows she drew on pair of high walking
shoes, and started forth for a stroll down
by the spring. As she reached the dense
woods closing in beneath an almost solid
shade the fresh gushing water, the low
chanting of the little hymn 81 Want to be
an Angel. caught her ear, and stayed her
steps.
The child's voice was very clear, and the
notes, although broken in upon every few
lines by low sobs, fell softly ana sweetly
upon her heart. She advanced cautiously
a few steps farther, and caught view of
Maggie leaning against large oak. At the
close OF the hymn the child sank upon her
knees, and sobbed out the little prayer,
30 God forgive Maggie all her sins, and
take her to heaven with mother. o God
if you love her, take her home to heaven"
AS Mrs. Linton looked upon the meagre
llbll6 1UIllt anu A4C b1Ah WhlbS AoSS "
spiritual in its prayerful earnestness, she
felt kind of presentiment that the prayer
would soon be answered; and her eyes were
wet with tears as she met the child full in
the path but moment afterward.
maggie, you are up early; how are you
this morning?n
With frightened look she attempted to
dart by Mrs. Linton, who detained her by
reaching out her hand and laying it gently
upon her shoulder.
"My child, stop and talk with me.
have sought an opportunity to speak with
you since the third day after my arrival,
and now that Providence has thus favored
my wish, do not fly from me-
''0h, madam, please let me pass; the baby
may wake up
mo Maggie. will return with you, and
if the babe is awake no harm shall come oi
it."
Thus assured, the child stood, though hel
eyes turned frequently toward the house
and look of fear would fit across hel
face.
"Child, prefer not to allude to you
life here, but your mind must be at rest o
you will never speak with me. assure yot
no punishment shall be inflicted for stop
ping to talk with me; SO now, without fea
answer all my questions. Why did yol
pray that prayer"
Before mother went to heaven she tolC
me that God had called her to come up t,
him; and that she must leave me, as CO.
was not ready to take me from the world
and she bade me pray to him every day t.
help me to be good; and she said that what
ever l wanted most upon earth might be
him for it, and that if it was best for n
good to have it he woHld give it to me-
'Maggie, there are some prayers which i
is a sin to offer up to God, and this is one c
them. You must ask to be contented wit
life, and only pray that your troubles ma
be removed. and even this must be asked
his way and his time; but you may alway
pray to be made better child, either i
grief or joy.'
"oh madam, did not know that it We
wrong"
81 know it, child, and God knows it; bI
you must not pray that way again"
81 will try not to, madam, but oh do
want to go to heaven"
"Ithink God viii take you there SON
, day, but you must be cohtented to abi(
, his time.p
, Il will try, madam no
Can you tell me how old you were whe
your mother died 2n
"I do not know what you mean By diet
/ but when mother went to heaven was 81
a years eld.'
{ do you remember how she looked?'
e +" Oh yes, madam. She WAS so white, (
' pretty, and her hair was ike the silk
corn when it is bright and yellow, onl
finer and softer, and it waved all over Lib
the water in the spring when 1 throw roc
in it. Oh used to love so to stand besid
, her and stroke it with my hands until 81
! would slip her arms around me and XII
me. Oh madam. want SO much to go ,
heaven to her; no one has ever kissed n
, since she left me-"
5 Mrs. Linton glided her arm around th
child orphan, drew her to her, and presse
a kiss gently upon her lips, and her tear
I dropped upon the ohild's upturned face a
? she folded her tenderly to her heart.
: stMaggie, do you know your letters ?"
''Yes, madam, my mother taught me t
read. sometimes get one of the children
books, and have not forgotten"
"would you like to be taught from book
i all about everything you see around you !
( "0h yes, madam, 1t would make me
happy. Ny mother loved to read so much
and used to read such beautiful books +
me- A
Maggie, Ihaye very little money and ca
not make you atine lady, such as childre
talk Of, but have plenty Of books and ca
teach them to you. Would you like to 6
home with me and live with me always ~
'ohl madam, do not make fun of me tina
way; please don't.p
'My child, / would not do SO cruel
tthlng. l have no child Of my own, an
/ really wish you to be my own little girl
and win try to be like your own prettl
mamma to you.n
} The child caught up Mrs. Linton's han
and pressed 1t to her lips, while tears raine
down her hAlffrightened, halfhappy face