Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-04-29
"How long has she been dead?"

''Not long, sir.
''And there is no one to take care of
you p
"No, sir.
How old are youP'
Ten, last june, SIR
The man thought of his own little boy
mt home, jnst ten last June, and q shiver
of pain crept through his heart.
"What are you going to do ?"
'"Fahe care OF myself, sir. I've got to
do it now" Aud Jimmy drew himself up
and put on brave look, which touched
the mans heart.
"Was it III the city your mother died ?"
Inquired the man.
''Yes, SIR
'How long ago p
Its only three weeks, SIR" The brave
luok went out OF his eyes.
"Where did she die ?''
Down in Water street. We lived in a
garret. She was sick a good while, sir,
aud couldn't work. Father died last win
ter. But he didn't do anything for u.s."
shadow of pain was in She chiId's face.
and the man saw him shudder.
All he understood too we'll the sad
story that little boy could tell-the story
of drunken father, and q sick, heart
broken mother, dying in want and neg
lect.
"Your mother was good, and you loved
Instantly the large, soft eyes gushed
| over with tears
''What did she tell you before che died?"
asked tho man, speaking In low, tender
voice.
s'She said" answered the boy sorrow-
| fully yet with something brave and manly
in his voice-''Never steal, never tell lie.
never swear, Jenny, and God will be
| your friendly and I've never done any OF
am sir and never will"
Your mother taught you to pray, jim
my?"
'"Yes, sir, and say my prayers every
night. Sometimes bad boys make fun of
me; but don't mind it. [ Just think it's
God I'm saying 'em to, and then feel all
right"
The man felt choaking in his throat,
he was so moved by this. and would not
trust himself to speak for some moments.
''God is our best friend, Jimmy" he
said, after little while 'fand no one
trusted him in vain. He has taken care of
you since your mother died, and, If you
will be good boy, will always take care
who led me to the apple-woman's stand
Just in time to see your brave and honest
act ?"
The boy opened his large eyes wonder
'We cannot see God. but God can see
us and what is more, can look into our
hearts, and knows all we think Or feel, !"
replied the man.
ooh yes, sir, my mother told me that.
But don't know how He led you."
; ''He leads by ways that we know not,
my child. / think l can make you under
stand. God sees and knows everything.
q He knew that you would see the wicked
boy.try to steal apples, and that you would
do all you could to stop him. Then he
L to - Il
man whose store Iscould not reach unless
;, went by the apple-stand, AID this brought
me to the spot just at the right moment.
l call that God leading me. Now, do you
understand ?"
ooh yes, sir. 1 see it just as clear as
day." answered Jimmy, new light break
. ing over his face
"And God, who loves you and wants
you to be good and happy, knew that ii l
saw how honest and brave you were, l
would be your friend"
ooh, sir! will you ?" cried out little
4 Jimmy, trembling all over, while his
fine face lighted up suddenly with hope
d and Joy
+, eyes, my poor boy" answered the poor
man, whose heart was feeling very tender
toward the child. ST will be your friend
j always, if you will be honest, truthful and
obedieut."
"Ill try to be as good as L can, sir, :
, sobbed out Jimmy, losing all command OF
;, his feelings.
Then the man went with him to a store
where they sold boys clothing, and sa-
= lected everything he needed to wear
But before he let him dress up in his new
+ garments he took him to a bath house
J, that he might wash himself clean al
L over, and comb the tangles out OF biz
s. curly hair
No one would have dreamed that the
J, handsome, we'll dressed boy, who. LITTLE
Z while afterward, walked beside his nev
% friend, was the same whose voice, not al
hour before, had been heard crying in th
,r street, 'Shine your boots, sir ?" 1t wa
T. never heard there again. God had sent tn
u brave child, who tried to be good, frieD'
in need; and he is now a happy boy
l. studying with all his might. and a.
is doubt he will become good and usefu
81 man. ChiLdren'S Hour.