St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-03-12
VOLUME 80 NUMBER 1850

smile and kind word sent sunbeam to
his heart
About three hours from the time he
left, big Dick came back, with bundle
in his hand. "Well, young 'un hand
over," he exclaimed "boss's come.
Show the yellow-boys." Charlie gave
Dick his cap; and when he had emptied
it, he seemed quite satisfied, handing it
back with some dry bread in it, saying,
''Ihere, run into that alley-way, and
cram now; but mind ye, don't keep me
too long at the broom" Charlie ran in
to the alley-way rs he was told, and ate
the bread rs soon as possible, thinking
himself very fortunate, and wishing his
mother could know Of it. Feeling yery
grateful to Dick, he made haste to re-
lieve him of broom. "That's right
you're the one for me-" said Dick
"We'es firm for business you're a
rare one to draw-a real little haingel,
young 'un." Saying this, he left Charlie,
TO look after his other employees.
Grateful as the little orphan was at first,
he soon found that the scant allowance
OF food given him was only enough TO
keep him alive; and he had no place to
sleep, except dark doorways and out-of
the-way corners, such as he could happen
to find.
One afternoon, it had been rainy, and
Charlie took but little. When big Dick
came, he upbraided and abused him. be-
cause he had no more and only gave
him a small dry bun TO eat. telling him
that was more than he deserved. After
Dick left, tears rolled down Charles
checks, as lie continued sweeping. A
little boy came along, and asked him
what made him cry if he hadn't had
anything to eat ? "Yes, lie answered;
''big Dick gave me a bun but sech
isn't film very" The boy turned
away, was gone few minutes, and came
back with three rolls what riches for
poor little Charlie
As time passed, the orphans fortunes
were not improved. Big Dick was
both selfish and cruel. The cold wealth
er was coming his clothes were moth
ing but tatters; and the cold wind cut
him through he had neither shoes nor
stockings, and his feet ached on the icy
pavements. What would become of
him
1t was the day before Christmas. A
drizzI y rain was falling, and freezing as
it fell. and the crossings were glare of
ICE. Poor houseless. homeless, barefoot
Charlie was at the crossing, holding out
III old cap TO the passers-by. How cold
he was How his feet did ache lie
tried not TO cry, but the biz tears would
ill his eyes and stand upon his cheeks,
An old gentleman, stepping from the
crossing TO the sidewalk, reached out his
hand to put something in Charles cap.
lie slipped and fell, and was quite help
less. Charlie sprung to help him up :
but not being able, he lifted his head, and
held 1t tenderly on his knees till a carri-
age was brought to carry him to bis
home. The old gentleman was consci-
Gus OF the child'S kindness, and when ne
wa, seated in the carriage, beckoned him
TO approach. He thanked him, and put
fifty cents into his hand. and then he
poor child :" he said ''you poor child,
No shoes or stockings this cold day.
Come with me :" and he drew Charlie
into the carriage.
''Oh, Eye left my broom. I've left
my broom said Charlie, in frighten-
ed tone.
"Never mind your broom, child" said
the gentleman; its not much loss
"But its big Dicks; and he'll beat
me if lose it,
NO, he won't beat you. I'm your
friend now" was the answer he received
us the carriage drove off Still, Charlie
feared lie was doing wrong to leave
Dicks broom where it might be stolen.
The carriage stopped at a beautiful resi-.
icnce, the home OF one to whom ''our
Father had "lven much OF this worlds
goods. Charlie followed tue gentleman,
Mr. B, into the sitting room, where
he was kindly greeted by the family, who
were present. They soon learned the
little orphans history, and in their hearts
thanked God that they had the means to
relieve him. Charlie soon had more food
set before him than he could eat and
he was afterwards dressed in nice warm
clothes. He looked at them in wonder;
tried to express his thanks then started
TO 90 back to his crossing.
NO, Charlie; don't 90. We want
you to stay with us" said his new friend.
Charlie stood quite still. looking at the
carpet. At length, he said, ''If don't
90, I'm afraid Dicks broom'll get lost
''Well, If it does, FL pay Dick double
the value of it so, don't let that trouble
you any more"
Oh, what happy Christmas was the
next dav to the little homeless, barefoot
ed orphan boy And every succeeding
Christmas was an anniversary of the
birthday of comfort and plenty to little
Charlie. 1t proved to be indeed home
to the once forsaken and discouraged
Iittlc ome-a home full of friends, where
he was not only fed and clothed, but lie
was cherished and loved, and made hap
py.--HeI7y'S WuSe,uu
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