Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-03-21
Youths Department.
HOW ARTHUR RAN AWAY.

Artnur was sturdy little fellow,
about five years old, with hair like sun
light on French marigold, and little
treckled face, that was a very pleasant
face, too, when it did not happen to
have a shade of discomfort on it, as it did
just now.
Arthur was giving his opinion quite
freely to the great yellow cat, who sat
perched on the gate-post, eyeing him with
no very loving glances. You don't re-
member, but doubtless Kitty did, the
innumerable times when Arthur had tied
the string of ''bell-peppers" round her
neck, and left her to sneeZe her unoffend-
ing head off at her leisure; nor the time
he tied her to the vestry-door by the tail,
and she favored the company assembled
at Methodist matchmaking, with dis
NAL howls in varied keys.
Well, as Arthur told his troubles to his
feline friend, she listened with grave
attention, though close observer might
have detected an expression of latent
malice in the small green disk of her eye.
VI don't see why great big fellows, five
years old, that dress their own selves,
ought to be sent down town for a dozen
pearl buttons, every time Miss Scissors
comes. Mother never gives me a choco-
late-drop when get back, eiver, and
Miss Ellis always does, and"
Here his eye fell on tall, angular
figure, stalking down the lane, enveloped
in an unusually gaudy Bay State shawl,
and carrying few necessary articles,
such as parasol, bundle of patterns, a
reticule, an extra shawl, etc.
Mother Marden, you don't mean Miss
Cilicia is coming here again:"
Yes, she is" was the reply from with
in, "and l want you" What she wanted
Arthur did not stop to see, but darted I'D
the lane, as if grizzly bears were in hot
pursuit.
He finally stopped before a large old
fashioned house, with lavender, heath
and sweet-williams growing within the
white palings, and-yes, a fair young
lady just stepping out of the door. 1t
was his Sunday school teacher.
"Why, Artie,''-and Miss Ellis stopped
for kiss-'what brings my little boy up
here at eight O'Clock in the morning?'
"Oh, don't knowl nothing particular,
I guess" said Arthur, indifferently. II
shouldn't wonder, eiver, if l had run
away"
run away" and the blue eyes grew
sober, "Why Artiel But suppose you
mean you are going right back?"
80, no." said Artie, disdainfully, 'that
wouldn't be running away at ALL / shan't
go home till tomorrow, anyhow, and per-
hdps shan't for sixteen yearsr
Miss Ellis smiled, but only said, "If
you will come with me, Artie, I'll show
you sad little sight, that is very differ
ent from your nice, pleasant home. The
little boy we are going to see has never
walked in his life; his mother is dead, and
he lies all alone in his room, while his
father is at work. have been to see him
very often, and have read to him, and
taken flowers to him; but / am afraid |
shall never do that any more"
! They went into dark, dirty street,
known as 'tRag Alley" and stopped be-
fore house equally dark and dirty, but
into which a ray of light had fallen, four
years before.
In a small room on low bed lay a little
creature, strangely bent and twisted, but
with face so sweet and touching in its
beauty, that Arthur held his breath. The
great, wonderful blue eyes had light
more of heaven than earth; the white
forehead, where the blue veins showed
plainly, was shaded by long curls of pale
gold-color. The face, with its look of
patient suffering, frightened as Miss Ellis
entered, and little thin hand was held
out to her.
"Pm so glad you have conner he said,
with little sigh. ''What little boy is
that"
'Tts little Arthur, Teddy" said Miss
Ellis; che has come to see you, because
he is so sorry you are sick"
81 am glad you are well, little boy"
said Teddy, gravely. SIS father there:''
A bundle of rags, with gray head above,
rose from its kneeling position at the foot
of the bed, and came round to touch the
little face with tender, loving touch.
''How long has he been so, Dennis:"
asked Miss Ellis.
"Since yesterday, num-" was the re-
ply. The docthur says he can only last a
little while, now, the little saint he is,
fathers poor little patient saintr'
There were tears in his eyes, but he
knelt down by the bedside, drawing his
rough coat-sleeve across his face.
Little Teddy asked Miss Ellis, bend
ing down, "do you suffer much nowg'
Not much, ma'am; / am only tired,
now. / guess l shall sleep SOON"
Yes, little Teddy, the sleep is almost
here. The little life of pain and deform-
ity will soon become zone grand, sweet
song" the song of redemption.
Teddy, could you say a little prayer
after mes"
"rll say anything after you, cause
know't will be SO good, MAJ am" and the
little clear voice repeated slowly:
| " Now lay me down to sleep,
j pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If should die before l wake,
Ipray the Lord my soul to take"
Arthur, gazing through his tears, saw &
wondrous change upon the little face.
Teddy lifted his head with listening
look. "Don': you hear de boofer moosic?'
And after a minute, "De boofer moosic
and de pity light, shinin' for Teddy"
Yes, the "boofer light" had shone out
for little Teddy, and would shine on him
forevermore.
After a while a little child walked into
Mrs. Marden's kitchen, and threw him
self on her neck.
"Oh mamma, was going to run away,
and not come back for twenty-five years
and i went down to see little Teddy, and
he never walked in his life, and hadnr
any mother, and he is dead, and, o, mann
ma, mamma, don't you want some pear
buttons :"-Our Young Folks.