The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-07-22

! KNOWS OUT IL may Oe there Ike a cOncentrat
ing chrism, ansintlng him to noble deeds FOL
God and humanity Do these things and d.
them now. Check not your kindly impulse,
until it is too late, until the thin hands ar,
crossed within the coffin, and the sad eyes
hungry for q mothers kiss-have gone to tel
their pitiful story to Him who has said
"Suffer the little children > or worse, until a
young soul shall have grown hardened and q
little one, offended by you, shall have become
a curse and clOgging mill stone upon the neck
of society.
But to return to my story. Left alone in
the great barn, the sensitive child endured
the twc-fOld agony of nervous terror and an
ticipated suffering. But he had not long to
wait. Soon the heavy boots of old Beeson
| were heard trampng across the cow-yard and
into the barn. Robbie stole one furtiye
glance as he entered, saw the hard set face
saw the long, black whip trailing from his
| hand and the last vestige of hope was gone.
snow, you young rascal, I'll pay you fer
your carelessness," cried the bitter master, as
he caught sight of the little covering form
and siezing the trembling boy by the arm, hs
raised the whip, like great stiffening SER
pent, high IN air.
But why did it not descend? The boy
who had closed his eyes, and set his teeth
hard to bear the torture, wondered at the de-
lay. From somewhat above came rushing
sound, and the cruel, uplifted arm was grasp
ed and held with grip OF iron. What could
1t mean2 Had God sent one of his mighty
angels down to rescue the little waif, too
hopeless to implore his protection? 1t well
might be SO, for Our Father is not indifferent
to the troubles Of his suffering children but
the eyes OF this glorious deliverer were gleam-
ed with too much indignant fury and human
passion for those of heavenly visltant.
Chris: ~ The one glad cry burst from
Robbie's lips, and then, unnoticed of either,
ne sank sobbing among the hay and straw
littering the floor
Coward! hypocrlte! traiter!' These
were the words which burst impetuously from
the young mans lips, and with each epithet
stunning blow was planted in the bread
breast of the farmer. :Is it thus you treat
the little brother intrusted to your care |?
Were it not that since have been away from
your vicinity, have learned to he something
Of which you do not know even the meaning
"a gentleman-I would take the horsewhip
and tlay you within an inch of your life.
Well indeed, was it that it occurred to ME to
test your falthfulness in treating him kindly
before gave my hard earnings for the boys
board. Here in my pocket are four hundred
dollars, designed for you--payment for every
week he has been here-but not one copper
of it will you see now. On the contrary, l
shall use it in prosecuting you to the utmost
limit of the law"
And he kept his word. This youth, whose
energy and pluck had won the victory in
hand.to- hand struggle with the world, was
not likely to be troubled with morbid pity for
his adversary: and with Sues fair, honest
face in the witness-box, not only was the full
measure of justice obtained, but the hard,
grasping farmer disgraced forever in the eyes
of his friends and neighbors.
Aside from the triumph concerning his lit
tie brother, the trial resulted most happily for
Chris. himself. While seeking to redress an
injustice and wrong, like his illustrious name
sake, he discovered another fair relm-even
the sweet, old Eldorado Of love. And now,
when the western sun sinks amid the fowery
pralres Of Missouri, his last beams gild cot
tage porch, where often sits slender student
youth and broad-shouldercd, bronzcd- faced
ploneer-the rescuer and the rescued while
above them beams the soft, womanly face of
happy Sue-wife and slster-loved and hon.
ored beyond all the world. Hearth ond Home.