Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-07-24
The Little Bound Boys Dream.
BIZ MRS. 81. A. pENNIsoN.

cheek sgains, pillow Of straw.
II had toiled up three pair OF marrow
dark stairs, to gain lie miserable garrel,ior
!, was iuc bound child that had net
,her father nor mother; so no solI bed a.
waited his tired limbs, but a miserable
pale, with one thin coverlid.
1t had neither lamp nor candle to light
en- the room, if such it might be called
still that was not 50 bad for the beautiful
round moon smiled in upon the bound
boy. And almost kissed lis forehead as
his sad eyes closed dreamily.
But after while as he laid there, what
a wonderous change came over the place
A greallight shone down, the huge black
rsllers turned 10 solid gold and these
seemed all studded with tiny precious
sparkling stones. The broken floor too
was all encrusted with shining crystal ,and
the child raised himself upon bis elbow
aud gazed with half fearing, hall delight
ed look upon the glorious sight.
One spot on the wall seemed too bright
for his vision TO endure bat presently, as
if emerging from it, came soft white
figure, that stood by the poor hound boys
bedside.
Look up, be not afraid. said sweeI
voice, that sounded like The harPs OF hea-
ven, look up darling, am your brother
Willy sent down from the angels to speak
with you and tell you TO bear all your
sorrows patiently, (oryou viii soon be
with US.
What. you my brother Willy Oh, no
no, that cannot be; my brother Willy was
very pale, and his clothes were patched
and lorn, and there was hump on lis
back, and he used 10 60 into tho muddy
streets and pick Up bits OF wood and
chips, but your face is quite too hand
some and your clothes pretlier than | ever
saw before; and there is no ugly hump on
your back-be besides, my brother Willy is
dead long ago
Il am our brother Willy, your immor'
tai brother; my body. with the ugly hump
is dead and turned 10 ashes; bur usi as
soon as tia died, went up to the great
heavens, and saw sights that | cannot tell
YOU about now, they were so very, very
beautiful. But God, who is your Father
and the holy name OF Eternity, gave me
these bright garments that never get soil
ed, and | was SO happy that expected
my face was changed very Lmuch, and |
grew tall and straight; 81 no wonder you
DO not know me-
And now the little bound --chllG's tears
began To fall.
'Oh ! he exclaimed, earnestly, If too
could 90 to heaven J
You can co. replied The angel with q
smile of iDeGable sweetness, You have
learned how to read; well, Tomorrow get
YOU your Bible and find very revereDIly
for 1t is Co.'s most holy book-these
words of The Lord Jesus: But say unto
you, love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you,
aud pray Tor them which desPlieluIly use
you and persecUte you"
DO all these, and you shall be the
child OF your father which is above.
Even il they beat me ? murnured the
little bound boy with a quivering lip.
A fash of light passed over the angels
face as he replied, the moro you forgive.
the nearer you will be TO heaven
In another momeLt the vision had
gone, but still lie room was all blazing
with unearthly radiance.
Az the little boy fell back upon his pII
low his wan face reflected the angel 5
smile, and he ,honghi,'I will forgive them
even if they beat me-
Suddenly more musical voice than
,he former fell upon his ear. This time
he wss not afraid. but sitting upright on
his miserable couch, he saw figure ilat
seemed TO ifl itself 10 the wall, ray OF
intense brightness outlined all its form; lis
eyes bszed, yet there was D'Id beauty
in them every time they looked into his
own.
,I.il,e one. am your father, said the
form, IN melting accents.
| don'ts shink ou can be my faIhoF,"
uhisp pered the boy umidIy. My father
used to look very old indeed; and be got
hurt and wore cruich; there was win
kles on his face and all over his forehead;
his hair was short ant white; moi long like
yours. And my father used 10 sioop
over, and wear I:ile black apron, and
put patches on shoes in little dark room.
And what eIse !!
lie used 10 pray and sing very sWeeiIy'
but never hear any praying and singing
now, sobbed the child, bursting into
tears.
Dom cry, dear little boy, but listen 10
me. am Your father, your immortal
father, that poor lame body is all gone
now, mingled with the dust Of the grave
yard. As soon ss the breath Iefi that de-
formed body, was with the shining an
gels. host. and hosls OF them bore, bore
me up t. heaven; and tie king OF that 10.
rious place clothed me IN these robes.
white and stainless. and case me this
beautfu. body, which shall never feel
corruption. And this was the reason. dear
little or rohsn-because loved Him, and
my chief delight was in praying TO Him,
and talking aboul Hin, aud although |
was very poor tried to be honest, and
many Iimes went hungry rather than DO
wrong.
And you, if you never forget tn say
your Iillle prayers that taught you, II