New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-04-10

nOlnlng here. De on, lhlS moment!
The children, both dreadfully frightened,
began to cry bitterly.
"That will not do you any good" con-
tinued the man; "that kind of whining is
nothing new to me, and won't move me.
Let your parents feed you; but they ne
doubt prefer idling rather than getting their
living by honest labor
"Our parents are both dead" said Lizzie.
81 thought So" replied the farmer.
Whenever children are sent out to beg,
their father and mother are always dead, or
at least their father. This is mere excuse
for begging. BE off, this minute!"
1--WE have not eaten a morsel the whole
day." pleaded Lizzie. ave are so tired
that we cannot move step. If you would
but give us the least little bit to eat, we are
SO hungry"
II have told YOU l would not. Beggars
get nothing here"
The farmer got up with threatening look.
Lizzie quickly opened the door and drew her
sister with her. The children again stood in
the farm-yard, but knew not what to do. Sud
denly little Mary drew her hand from her Sis
ters clasp, and went to the other side Of the
yard there was fierce dog chained; his
dinner stood before him in a wooden basin.
Mary put her hand into the basin and began
to eat with the dog. Lizzie went nearer and
saw that in the basin there was some liquor
in which few pieces of bread and some boiled
potatoes were floating. She, likewise, could
not resist; she had but one feeling-that Of
the most gnawing hunger; she took some of
the bread and potatoes and ate them greedily.
The dog, not accustomed to such guests,
looked at the children full Of establishment;
he drew back, then sat down and left them
his dinner, of which he had eaten but very
little. At this moment the farmer stepped
into the yard he wished to see whether the
children had really left, and then he saw this
singular scene. The dog was noted for his
fierceness, and feared alike by old and young;
he was obliged to be constantly chained. No
one dared to come near him except his mas
ter. Even the servant put his food before
him in the most cautious manner.
In the first moment the man thought Of
nothing but the fearful danger in which the
children were, and walking quickly toward
them, he exclaimed:
Don't YOU see the dog. He will tear
you to peces"
But suddenly he stopped, as it rooted to
the ground; the dog had got up again and
gone nearer the children, then he looked at
his master and wagged his tail. 1t seemed
as if he wished to say.
Don't drive my guests away
AT that sight great change came over the
man; the spectacle before him acted like an
electric shot, and feelings, such as he had
never had before, seemed to stir within him.
The children had risen, terrified, at the call
of the man, fearful of punishment for having
eaten against his command. They stood
with downcast eyes. At last, after several
minutes silence, the farmer asked
Are YOU really so fearfully hungry that
YOU 10 not even despise the dogs food?"
But without waiting for an answer, he
continued
"Come in, then, you shall have something
to eat, and as much as you like"
And then taking them by the hand he led
them into the house, calling out to the SER
want:
Biddv, get some hot bread and milk, and |
be quick, tor these children"
The dog had shamed his master-the brute |
had shamed the man. Touched by what he |
had seen, the farmer was anxious to make |
amends for what his conscience showed him |
to be great sin. tIe seated the children at !
the table, sat down by them, and kindly |
asked them their names.
My name is Lzzie,' said the eldest, /
4" and my sister is called Mary"
Have your parents been dead long,"
Our father has been dead two wears, bat /
out mother only died last week"
At the thought OF their recent loss, both
children began to weep.
Don't cry, children said the farmer,
kindly, "God will, in one way or another,
take care of YOU. But tell me now, where
do you come trom:' |.
''From Loughrea," replied the child.
From Loughrea?" asked the man, ''from
loughrea: That is strange.'
He began to suspect the truth, and asked !
hesitatlngly,
'What was your fathers name ~
Martin sullivan" replied Lizzie. :
what -Martin-Martin Sullivan" he
exclaimed, jumping up at the same time and
casting piercing look at the children, thor
oughlS frightening them.
His face grew red-then tears came into
his eyes-ab last he sobbed aloud. He took
the youngest child in his arms, pressed her
to his heart and kissed her. The child strug-
gled and called for help to her sister; she
ronld not think what the man meant.
Then he put down the little one aud did
The same 10 Lizzie, who took it more quietly,
is she had seen that the man did not hurt
ler sister.
At last, becoming more composed, he
Tried his tears, and said:
do you know my name, children?"
NO" replied Lizzie.
''How happened it, then, that you have
ONE TO me 2" he asked. "Has any one sent
'ou to me?'
Nobody has sent u.s." replied Lizzie.
We were to go to Kilburn, where brother
our father lives, and thew said he would