American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-03-23
Youths Department.
HOW ARTHUR RAN AWAY.

Arthur was a sturdy little fellow,
| about five years old, with hair like sun
light on French marigold, and a 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, cycling 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 vestrydoor by the tail,
and she favored the company assembled
at a Methodist watch meeting, with dis
NAL hOwls in varied keys.
Well, as Arthur told his troubles to his
feline friend, she listened with grave
attention, though a close observer might
have detected an expression of latent
malice in the small green disk of her eye.
Il don't see why great big fellows, five
years old, that dress their own selves,
ought to be sent down town for dozen
pearl buttons, every time Miss Scissors
comes. Mother never gives me 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, envcloped
in an unusually gaudy Bay State shawl,
and carrying few necessary articles,
such as a parasol, a 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, land l want you" What she wanted
Arthur did not stop to see, but darted up
the lane, as if grizzly bears were in hot
pursuit
He finally stopped before large old
fashioned house, with lavender, heath
and sweet-williams growing within the
white palings, and-yes, fair young
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, I don't know nothing particular,
/ guess" said Arthur, inditlerently. 81
shouldn't wonder, eiver, if l had run
away"
"Run awayr' and the blue eyes grew
sober, "Why Artie! But 1 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-
Adps | shan't for sixteen years."
Miss Ellis smiled, but only said, eli
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 l am afraid l
shall never do that any moro -
They went into a dark, dirty street,
known as 'Rag Alley" and stopped be-
fore a 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
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"
''rts little Arthur, Teddy" said Miss
Ellis, ne mas come To see you, because
he is so sorry you are sick"
81 am glad you are well, little boy"
said Teddy, gravely. 'Is 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 a tender, loving touch.
GLOW long has he been so, Dcnnis?"
asked Miss Ellis.
"Since yesterday, num-" was the re-
ply. The docthur says he can only last
little while, now, the little saint he is,
fathers poor little patient saint"
There were tears in his eyes, but he
rough coat sleeve across his face.
Little Teddy asked Miss Ellis, bend
ing down, do you suffer much now"
" Not much, ma'am; l am only tired
now. l guess l shall sleep soon"
Yes, little Teddy, the sleep is almost
here. The little life of pain and deform-
ty will soon become zone grand, sweet
song" the song of redemption.
Teddy, could you say little prayer
ifter me?"
"rll say anything after you, cause 1
1now't will be SO good, ma'am," and the
title clear voice repeated slowly:
g Now lay me down to sleep,
pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If should die before l wake,
/ pray the Lord my soul to take"
Arthur, gazing through his tears, saw a
yondrous change upon the little face.
Teddy lifted his head with listening !
ook. don: you hear de boofer moosic?' /
And after minute Ode boOfer mooSic, !
md de pity light, shinin' for Teddyl'
Yes, the "boofer light" had shone out !
or little Teddy, and would shine on him /
After while little child walked into |
Mrs. Marden's kitchen, and threw him /
elf on her neck.
"Oh mamma, was going to run away, /
nd not come back for twenty-five years,
nd | went down to see little Teddy, and
lie never walked in his life, and hadn't
ny mother, and he is dead, and, O, mann
ma, mamma, don't you want some pearl
buttons ?"-Ow Young Folks.