The Van Buren press., 1869-06-01
A GAKAT SERMON BY A LITTLE
PREACHER.
~ MRS. c. A. soULE.

| Mcyu 80 VIII YOU, papa
say may, won't your" s4 aa
The words were uttered in plaintive
and sadly entreative tone, the hands Of
the speaker clasping the knees OF the liz
tener.
II was a boy Of seven years who lisp.
ed them beautiful boy, with fair high
brow. around which there were clustered
glorious wreath Of auburn curls, with
dark, flashing eyes; checks rosy with
health lips like the cherries Of summer,
end voice like the birds which taste
them. There were tears in those eyes at
this time, though, and the dimpled mouth
was quivering. s6saH
1t was man Of come thirty-hve who
listened to his plea; man who had been
OF noble looks and princely bearing. Ay,
had been for the blighted truth was writ
ten over his form and face. His locks
were matted, his forehead scowling, his
eyes red, but not with tears there were
furrows on his cheeks too, and british
look to the expression ofhis lips Twice
did the little boy address him ere he an.
swcred Then pushing the child rudely
no. It's no place You"
Again those fair, small hands encircled
the knees. H
"You 60, papa. Why can't I go, too ?
Do let me 60"
| For moment tho heart Of the inebri-
ate seemed to wake from its sleep. He
shuddered as he thought Of the character
Of the place his purc-souled boy would
enter. lie took the child tenderiy in his
armed and kissed him as old; then put
ting him down he said kindly:
You must not ask me again to take
you there. 1t is no place for little boys"
and scizng his hat hurried from the
room, murmuring to himself, rs he paced
the way to the brilliant bar-room, land
no place for men either Would to God
| had never gone"
For long time Willie stosd just
where his father had left him taen tnrn-
| ing to the few cmbcrs that family glewed
upon the hearth, he sal down in his little
chair, and resting his head upon his
mothers lap, said earnestly:
"Mama, why isn't that pretty store q
good place for little boys? Paps loves
to 60 there"
1t was trying question to the poor,
heart broken woman. She had so far
kept from her son the knowledge OF his
fathers sin. She could not bear that he
should look with shame upon him or that
his pure and gentle heart should thus
commune with so intense n grief Kind
ly she toyed with his long ringlets for a
while, then said cndearingly Papa
knows better than you what is best for
you viii lcaarhi wuyhe" dSap gy9w .!s1 eldsr
take YOU" ..,,. ......-. F~..,I
Then rising, she carefully put down
her babe upon Its little bed, and tied on
her hood and cloak. I9 ll1s 19l
"Mind the cradle, now Willie, III
come back soon. and then you shall have
some pepper, and nice fire to sit by,
too" and taking large busket OF ironed
clothes she went out A wealthy moth
or would have been frightened At the
tn ought ouly Of leaving SO young boy
at .nightlall all alone with an infant to
care for, and an open fire to sct beside.
But poor Mrs NJ knew full well she
could trust Willie with his sister, and as
for burning up, there were not Goals G.
nough to thaw his fingers. But she did
not fear to leave him, for he had thus
been left many time, and always care
fully obeycd her '-'h,i HAf s9s
And he meant to now; but poor little
fellow, his thoughts would wander to
that brilliant corner store. whittier he
knew his father always went at evening,
and his brain was busy with eager wand
erings. He knew his father loved to 60,
and there must be something that he liked
for he never came home again till long
after Willie was asleep. What lay behind
those scarlet curtains was mystery he
sought in vain to unravcl. :.
At length he whispered eargerly, as II
to encourage longing wish, /" Papa used
TO tell me if ] wanted to know anything
very much, to pcrsevcra and Iwould find
out Now l do want to know what
makes him love to 60 there SOL know
there must be pretty things behind those
s"-and his cheeks were glowing
-"ir it was like q fairy house. -.
| Poor Willie! Temptation to know was
too strong to be resisted; so he hunted
through the closet for candle, for be
was n thoughtful little fellow, and would
mot, leave his little sister to the only
danger that could menace her. lie found
bit or taliow dip, aud lighting it,drcw
the stand close to her, that the flame
might scare away tho rats and mice
sh ould they sally out erc his return. =.
IL won't stay long, pretty dear" said
| he, pressing tender kiss on her sleeping
| lids, and drawing tho blankets close over
her fair arms" No, I'll come back
soon, but do want to take one peep"
Swiftly his little feet bore him over the
payement, and in trice he stood beside
the curtained window.
"How light 1t is, and how they laugh
and tall, II must be fanny In there" i.
A cold November blast swept round
the corner as he spoke, penetrating his
thin summer clothing, and causing his
nesh to quiyer and his teeth to chatter.
IL don't believe they'd hurt me II l
should 90 in while, I'm such Q little
boy. and am so cold out here" ho said
as he pushed the door carefully from him
slipping in and closing it withouta y breath
OF noise. For moment he was Devil
dered by the light aud cla.ter, but finding
that no one seemed to notice him, he stole
TO ward the glowing CRATE, and spread out
his purplo palms before the blaze. Ihe