Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-14

a Friend that never iailcth there is One,
the Father Of US all, from whose love neither
life nor death can part us. Call upon Him
in this hour Of trouble, and He win answer
thee
As Maria prayed, strength came to her
from on high In this hour Of anguish, she
seemed to hear a still, small voice, saying
" When thou passest through the waters, |
will be with thee and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee Fear not,
have redeemed thee BE not dsmayed for |
am thy God" And close by her side, an
earthly voice, sweet and tender whispered
" Don't cry, dear, dear Maria. Your moth
er will not die !'
Opening her eyes, she saw little Gustave
kneelng by her side, with clasped hands, and
eyes full Of pitying tears Deeply moved
Maria rose aud folded the child to her heart.
Then she stole softly to her mothers couch.
The dear sufferer breathed easily, her features
had lost their rigid expression, and a smile
played around the half-parted lips. Maria
hailed this sweet sleep as a messenger from
Heaven. She felt that il would save the life
of her loved one God has heard my pray
err" she said softly, and tears of joy and
thanksgiving ran down her cheeks But soon,
a new anxiety oppressed the poor child. How
should she provide proper nourishment for
her mother how obtain food for this little
guest, and take measures to restore him to
his parents ? There was no money in the
house, and the work which would have brought
her little sum was not finished. She must
20 out and beg help from strangers. This
was hard thing for Maria to do, for until her
fathers recent DEATH she had never known
the ills of poverty. Only few weeks since,
she and her mother had come to this little
town, hoping to find some means of support
ing themselves, but the mothers sudden i'll
ness had frustrated their plans, and brought
them to this present state Of utter want
At length Maria thought of the rich inn
keeper who lived near by, and she resolved to
solicit aid from him.
" Stay here with my mother" she said to
Gustave, "while go out to bring you some
breakfast. If mother wakens tell her | will
soon be back" With these words, she soft
ly left the house.
Herr Grail, the inn-keeper had just risen.
He had been drinking deeply the night be-
fore, and was in very bad humor As Maria
timidly saluted him, he asked in rough
voice what she wanted. The young girls
heart sank at this cruel reception, and in
trembling accents, she made known her er-
rand. This rich man, who could be very
polite to a villain if he only had money,
had no kind word for poor suffering child.
Her bowed form, her downcast eyes, her quiv
ering voice. her poverty, her youth aud help
lessness, did not in the least move his hard
selfish heart.
" Do you think" he exclaimed harshly,
g" that have nothing to do but support peo-
pie in their idlencss? d? | would throw my
money out of the window sooner than give
it to you. Go home, aud 90 to work, Leave
this minute, or will show you the way to
the door"
This shrinking, timid girl had been shield
ed all her life by the love of tender parents
and had never heard such harsh words as
these. Deathly pale, she stood for a few
moments before that cruel man, incapable of
utterance and helplessly wringing her hands.
With faltering steps she at length reached
the door, and passed through the streets, see
ing nothing and hearing nothing. Still, it
seemed to her that the whole town was point
ing at her the finger of scorn, and calling her
beggar.'
When she reached home, where her mother
was still sleeping, her modification and sor-
row found relief in food of tears. Little
Gustave stole anxiously to her side. Tears
stood in his large blue eyes, but he did not
venture to speak. At length Maria looked
sadly into the child's face, and sobbed
All, Gustave men are hard and cruel
can give you nothing to eat, to-day"
Don't cry, I'm not bit hungry. I'll
never vex nor trouble you, dear Maria, I'll
be right good said the little fellow, kissing
away the poor girls tears.
While he stood there, trying to comfort
Maria, carriage rolled along the street.
Gustave ran to the window, and gancing
out, cried joyfully:
My mother Oh, my mother !"
In an instant he was down the steps, and
out OF doors, shouting " Mother moth
er !"
The carriage halted A tall, beautiful
lady stepped out, took the child in her arms
and sobbng, folded him to her heart Then,
for some moments she stood motionless with
eyes upturned to Heaven as if thanking God
for the recovery of her lost boy.
"Oh, Gustaye :" she said at length what
terrible anguish | have been in, and how
you too must have suffered You must never
again run away from your mother"
No, never will" replied Gustaye, and
then he led his mother into the widows poor
little cottage The child's joyful outeries
had awakened the sick woman from a sleep,
which so refreshed and strengthened her, that
she now felt herself on the sure road to re-
coyery.
The stranger lady saluted the mother and
daughter in a manner so kind and friendly as
to win both their hearts at once.
"See mother' cried Gustave, greatly ex-
cited 81 had good supper last night, and
slept on soft bed. But Maria slept on
the floor Oh, she has wept very much this
morning, the good Maria.-"My child" she
said, "men are cruel. can give you moth
ing to eat to-day" | know now, mother,
that last night she gave me the last mOrsel
Of food in the house"
"Dear, good people," said Gustave's moth
or. "llow can | repay your kindness to my
cruelty of men, sweet girl VINO mas vads-
ed sorrow to your gentle heart p
Maria blushed, aud did not like to tell
what had wrung from her these words, but
the good lady urged her so much that she at
length told all As she ended her recital
the Countess OF Thalheim for this was the
name Of Gustave's mother, folded the timid
young girl in her arms and said
"After what have seen and heard, re-
gret to leave you But our separation shall
be only until the recovery of your mother.
will provide for your whole future. There
is pretty cottage on my husbands estate
which shall be fitted up for you aud your
dear mother There you shall live in peace
aud plenty"
"Now accept from me some small reward.
This will provide for your Immediate wants, F"
added the Countess, laying full purse upon
the table. 81 give it in the hope of no re.
turn. A gilt from the hand of a true friend
need never shame an honest heart
These, and many other kind words, the
good Countess spoke, and after several hours
She left her new friends with much regret.
Gustave, with many tears and caresses,
/ h.1a adam IN Marin and insisted unon her