Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-01-08

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hon1e,p and surely the blessing thus
invoked will descend as well upon
the distant Florida retreat of her who
called it down, as upon the orphans
home, and the name Of Miss Sue
Woods will remain engraved upon
the grateful hearts of these children
as Tong as her simple yet sublime
prayer remains traced upon their
walls. In the reception room the
children were formed into q semi-cir-
Gle, preparatory to their rotations;
every hand hung m,tionless by the
side, every frock was neat and clean,
and every face was lit up with the
smile of happiness mingled with that
melancholy solemnity which is the
orphans heritage. Over this inter-
esting scene, like presiding genius,
hung the han isome, life-size portrait
of Mrs. Norrie, who, on the wild
shores of the Pacific, pleads with an
earnestness that challenges admira-
ton, and with touching eloquence
that wins success, for the cause that
is dearest to her heart, and for the adj
vantage of which there is no obstacle
that she has not COPIED with and over
come, and no sacrifice that she has
not unhesitatingly made. SO true is
this portrait to the original, that one
of the youngest children, when he
saw it, ran to it and called upon it to
speak to him and give him the kiss Of
maternal love. $50
AT the signal the performance OF
the Little Orphan Wanderer" began.
1t was u touching scene. In the midst
of the rest sat the little afflicted girl
indeed an orphan of orphans--a lone
waif on life's boisterous sea, without
one tie to bind her to earth save the
lowly and neglected grave of an hum
BILE, yet noble father, who fell on the
crimson battle plain with his face to
the foe. She was clad in the sable
garments which tell tho short and
fearful story of death and desolation,
her hands were clasped as if in silent
prayer with the dark, cold shadows
of despair just settling on the fair
young face and shutting out the joy
GUS life within; her petition for help
was then presented by one of the lit
tie girls, not, it is true, in the meas
ured tones of artistic melody, as was
intended, but with that far deeper,
richer power, music which stirs the
| fountains Of the inner soul. The per-
formance was success. There was
not q heart present, though hard as
the "nether mill-stone," that was not
moved with pity, and from which
there did not flow the feelings of a
sympathizing love. The little orator,
frankie Alexander, was next called
OH for a speech, to which the little
fellow so promptly and successfully
responded as to call forth the observa-
ton from more than one, that he
would make his mark in the world.
After the chant, in which all EN-
gagged, they were conducted into an
adjoining room to gather their pres
ents from the richly laden Christmas
tree, prepared by Mrs. Finley, Mrs.
Munford and Mis-. Warficld, who left
the bright scenes and merry-malsing
of their own loved ones, to gladden.
the hearts Of the motherleSs with
their kindly offerings, and cheer the
| home of the homeless with their la
Dor Of love, furnished partly by the
ladies of the Methodist and Presbyte-
lian Churches of Columbia, Tenncs-
see, who sent large box well filled
with elegant and useful articles OF
clothing, toys, sweetmeats, &c. ;
partly by the ladies Of Murfreesboro,
who out of the goodness Of theil
hearts sent their offerings, appropriate
and handsome; partly by Mrs. R1des
and Mrs. Watkins of Nashville, who
sent two large boxes stored with pres
ents and cdibles Of all descriptions
and from whose kindness more than
one blessing has been received, and to
whose Jealous support and cordial co
operation is to be attributed no small
share of the prosperity Of the Institu-
ton; partly by Mrs. w. ID. Lewis O
|. Lewisburg, to whom many thanks
: are due. The treo contained sub
stantial, useful present for every child
and much besides, which was distrib
; uted according TO merit or necessity
The generous contributors to thi'
happy scene should only have wit
messed it to have reaped the reward Of
: their goodness; for they We're thankeC
in every happy smile which lit up th'
orphans sad face; in every tear o
5 joy that glittered in his eye, and by
= every young soul that brcathed al
? inaudible prayer for the generous
, though unknown givers of such gifts
Surely if the cup Of cold water givcr
= Ia the little ones is not forgotten b,
the Divine Master these liberal offer
: ings will not go unrewarded. Thesi
, Were the gifts of comparative stran
{ gers, who extend their aid knowing
, only that the cause Of suffering hu
mainly demands 1t, and feeling from
4 the pure depths of patriotic heart
! that the orphan OF the fallen BRAY