Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-02-25

D ~
and will Try aud tell you. | am going,
my child, where there is no trouble and
sickness, to that heavenly world, OF
which have so often told you"
But want TO go too, mamma. |; is
so cold here; :" and the shivering child
drew closer TO her mothers side, and
pressed her cold cheek to hers.
Would 10 God that might take you,
my own darling" said the poor mother
Ia her mortal anguish, Bat you must
struggle on while longer, and some.
time, if you are good girl, you will
come 10 me-"
"But will be very good pleaded the
child, "do let ms 60 with YOU"
"Litta. my child. am growing very
weak. Listen, ard Try To remember
what tell you. When am gone, you
must uy to find yoar uncle Henry, and
nc will take care ofeou Be good
Girl, aud you will come 10 me at lusl '
]
Very family came the words from the
mothers lips. and as last effort, she
twimed her arms about her child, the
summons came, and the sad scene was
over. Ev,n while her arms cucircled htI
child, the angel came and whispered IT,
her aiIiug soul, Sni nn pinions OF light,
il tiew 10 the heavenly home. Poor
/ I.itta, Alone w,th darkness AMI the
dead! But the good Father who watches
over all. WAS mindful 1T the little orphan,
and sent his blessed angel Sleep. and she
reposed quietly all the night. Morning
broke AT last but il brought no warmth
and comfort 10 the hOvel where hay the
remains OF the once gay and rour,cd
Elrenna Percington. When the lir>t sun
beams wete resting upon the livil lace ol
the dead. the child awokc. and irightru
ed by the silence and the icy coldness "I
her mother. screamed aloud. She was
almost convulsed with terror, when q
woman who was passing. attracted 10y
her piercing cries, entered the room.
"Och, darlint," said the Kind heart d
Irish woman, "may Jesu, have mercy on
your wee face May the holy virgin pro
tcct yees." Then. taking of her worn
shawl. she wrapped the child carefully in
it, and carried her gently to her own
lowly home AUer She had rubbed heI
limbs in order to produce circulation,
which was nearly gone, she hid the
child down on some straw where her
own children were quietly sleeping. and
then she went ont to call assistance lur
the poor woman's burial--a paupeI
burial. Ere the sun had set, the bolY OF
Elrenna Percingion WAS assigned I" us
parent earth. and her poor child was with
out TREND in the wide world that could
provide for and protect her. The poor
woman whose sympathies had been rous-
cd in the morning by the little orphan
piIiable situation. was willing, but she
seemed quite unable TO take care of her,
as she had eight children OF her own,
and but now and then a days work 10
depend upon. Sometimes when hunger
pressed heavily upon them, and there
was nothing in the house tor them 10 cat,
tue two elder ones were sent out TO beg,
But notwithstanding her poverty Maggie
Flanagan had kind, loving heart. and
she could not turn the poor orphan out Ia
perish of cold and hunger, so praying
that Jesus and the holy virgin would
help her, she made room for the little one
with her own dirty flock. aud went on in
The old way, thankfully performing ii
when she could get work TO do,and when
she was unable to do so, sending the
"childers" out to ask for 'thrild to buy
breaJ."
l.ittS called tor her mother and wept
constantly at first, hui by degrees, Mag.
gie's unvaryng kindness and The natural
joyousness OF childhood won her from
her sorrow, and she grew more cheerful.
At last she ceased 10 speak of her mother,
but sad, dreamy expression in her dark
eyes, would have told an observer that q
cloud rested on her Young life, and that
It's shadow still remained.
"Alther all. Maggie would say when
demonstrated with for burdcning hersell
with q strangers child. "Aither all. we
get none the poorer Tor that same. Tis
an angel lace she jist has, the purity dar-
lint and no mislOrtin' will ever come wild
her. So jist cease your prating, Judy
O'Rooke. and lave me alone for findin'
the praties 10 keep us all from staiyin'.
While Maggie Flanagan has sthraw
to lie on. or q rag To cover tho ehilders,
the poor wee thing shall share it as il she
were my own darlint."
Litla Jared so much better. rs far as
food was concerned, than she had done
for long time, that she soon grew
stronger, and accompanied Patrick and
Katie when they were obliged to go out
and beg. Maggie soon found that the
little pale faoe and dreamy eyes had a
wonderful effect in loosening the purse
strings of the passers-by, and the chill
dren were now able to bring home more
in one day. than they had before done in
a week. Truly. the child's presence had
brought blessing.
year had passed since little orphan
Litta found loving hearts and home un-
der the lowly roof of Maggie Flanagan.
1t had been year Of unusual prosperity
to the poor Irish family, for thanks to