Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-05-27
rapturous expression flashed over her sweet

tDey uI6 dDOut, OUT i Q0U fnlD(
it 50 rery much'
Don't you feel as though YOU would lik,
to go out and play with themp'
Never could he forget the look she gav,
him, half sad, half smiling, nor the answ
that followed slowly:
'What good would 1t do to feel so p
He said afterwards there was sermon
i'm that sentence.
Just then pale woman entered. She
too greeted the minister with one of her
cheering smiles. She had Just run over.
she said, to get some dinner for her bus.
band, and Mrs. Clark had sent such nice
bowl of broth for the little one.
How good they are,' said Bessie grace
fully. e,' '.l.r' -.
'All tired out p asked the pastor. notic-
ing that she sank somewhat wearily into
the chair. "-'
"A little-it's hard work, but it's-it's
healthy
You havo some blessings he ventured
again.
Some ? oh, my cup is running over"
she replied. Look at my husband and
child !! There's Thomas, one of the kind
est of men, working like a slave for me and
her never giving himself any pleasure,
while most Of the men in this neighborhood
squander their earnings and drink and
quarrel. o, sir indeed 1 can't thank God
enough for nay blessings
well, well, it beats ALL murmured the
clergymen to himself as he left the house.
Here are two people working like slaves !;
sickness and the prospect of death staring
them in the face-and yet they are as hap
py aye, happier, than kings aud queeas.'
lie had scarcely reached hs home when
he was met by a gentleman whose broad
CLOTH, and personal appearance and man
ners denoted that he was man of wealth
and leisure.
Pleasant day. said the preacher.
Yes for wonder, was the ungracious
reply.
We've had bad weather quite long
enough, and L don't suppose this will last
till tomorrow.
The minister thought Of the poor, cheer
tul Thomas who was sewing away in his
close shop.
How is your little daughter p he now
asked. 49,,
No better don't think she ever will be.
I've taken her here and there, and every
where, but Providence, think, sometimes.
seems to take particular pleasure in thwart-
ing my plans "'.
Don't accuse Providence, my friend.
You have been blessed with large possess
sions, and unbounded opportunities for
doing good.'
Hang the opportunities I beg your
pardon Pm in mood, and l could add
plague take the possessions As to Doing
good, l invariably get cheated if l under
take to do benevolent deed. The fact is,
Pm in hot water all the time about some
mishap or other. My gardener died yes
terday, an Invaluable man, and where l am
to get another with a tithe of his qualiiica-
tions, l cannot tell.'
The minister's face frightened.
Perhaps l can, he said.
'You?'
Yes, l, my friend think you need n
fesson. l want you 10 see poor laboring
man. He has a little girl who has been
confined to her bed for months think,
together, they can read you a sermon such
as you may not have listened to before
better than from any pulpit
An, L see, you've got another case of
destitute honesty, but I'll go with you, es-
peclally as there is sick child i'm the case.'
That same afternoon the rich and portly
stranger astonished the poor journeyman
tailor with his august presence.
Thomas said the clergyman, who ac-
companied him, II want you to tell this
gentleman your dream : and the poor man,
alter little hesitation, complied. When
he spoke of the pleasure of little Bessie at
the great and beautiful change, the eyes of
the rich merchant filed with tears.
Where is this little child who loves the
country so much p he asked.
The tailor unatched the little door. Bes-
sic was suffering from one of her paroxysms
OF pain, but though great drops of anguish
stood upon her forehead, tho the sweet
eyes were languid with suffering, the old
smile, so full of beauty, came to her lips,
when her pastor bent over her.
Good heavens to be sick here = ex-
claimed the merchant, his thoughts revert
ing to the luxurious surroundings Of his
own child.
There is something finer than common
in the atmosphere of his place, with all its
poverty he whispered TO the clergyman
L wonder If this man knows anything
about gardening p
Ask him-stOp; : and he turned to the
tailor.
Wen, Thomas he said, suppose the
Lord would bring your dream to pass
what would you say y
Thomas paused moment and then look
ing up with q smile:
Il should say il was just like Him =
We'll, Thomas, do you know anything
about gardening p asked the merchant.
Il was brought up to it, sir, answered
the tailor, modestly.l
Then throw down your lap board, and
put up your needles, Tor your dream is
coming true, l have just lost my garden
CT. On my estate is a nice little cottage,
with howers aud vines growing all around
IL. have no doubt you will give the
greatest satisfaction
The tailor looked around hin much be-
wildered
You must be in earnest, sir, aud yet my
mind won't take II in. II il for me To
leave this close oity spot aud 90 into the
country Is my sick child to breathe
heavens pure airp Is il Indeed, all. .truep
As soop as you can get ready, the place
Is ready Tor you, was tho merchants quick
reply,
Ills dream was realized. sEeet, patient,
salnt-llke liessie ! II Was not long Ahe lay
Ia the little room OF that cottage home,
looking with rapture upon the llowers that
bloomed without aud within upon the
glorious breadth Of blue sky,
Aud when strength came, aud she found
now beauties la the so.l summer sunshine,
she bceamu the companion 0l the nier'
chants slSkly daughter, and taught the
child such lcssons of love aud patience,
that that sick room beCame, a. heF own
had been, a little heaven on earth