The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-07-24


aweary. She would rest awhile. None
would heed her here, none chide her
-ah! would they letherstay? Would
they not soon drive her out again into
the street, What right had she
here?
What was thats A picture. She
had not seen it as she approached the
corner of the aisle, and had sat down
without noticing that it hung before
her.
The picture of a woman and child.
Ignprant and despised Of men, she
dared not look at it. She glanced
nervously around, to see II any
watched her. There was no man
near, and only the pervading So.
lemnity of the organ made her GER
tain that human being was in the
church. Then she leaned her head
against the wall, and looked up.
A mother and herchild. What did
it mean? Who was she? She, too,
was mother-it made her loathe
herself to think of t-and yet this
was picture of a mother and child.
What woman was this, that she
should have her portrait in such q
place? And the child? What of
him !? Who was he? ~
She gazed long and earnestly at
the picture. The divinity of art spoke
to her, and she knew it not. The di-
vinest mother looked down upon her,
with love and pity in her eyes. Even
the babe smiled upon her. Almost
unconsciously she smiled in return,
to think that any should look with
love and pity upon her-the oatcast
the blot
Some one stood before her. It was
a man. He was simply and plainly
dressed in black, and stood with his
hat in his hand gazing at her. With
gesture of impatience, she picked
up her hat as if to 90. Still he
moved not, and she glanced at his
face again. His face was young and
attractive. There was no boldness in
his gray eyes. An expression of gen
tie respect and almost pity filled
them. She was quite Disconnected,
and knew not what to do. If he had
sternly drove her forth, she could
have borne it. This difference and
pity confused her. He did not know
her. He was gentleman. She had
heard of such. Perhaps he was con-
nected with the place, and would per-
NIT her to rest awhile.
"Pardon me, sir" she said,
rising from the seat. was merely
resting till that isl will go
now"
To her amazement, he came near
er, and stood before her. The brood
ing organ still bathedI the place in q
murmur of deep MUSIC, The mar
spoke and his voice seemed to I'll
| into the music for very sweetness.
sit is beautiful picture"
"Yes-sir. "
"Did you ever see Madonna be-
fore2
"a Madonna, sir2 What is that 2
"The picture. 1t represents the
Holy Mother and Child. It is called
the Madonna.
sis she dead ? Where did sht
live-and the child"
The gentleman seemed greatly
shocked, and for a moment was at
loss for words. She, seeing his ex
preston, was mortified, and put OF
! her hat mechanically, as if to go.
"Stay, my child, stay. Sit again
You seem wearied. "
He offered her the chair, and sh'
sat down. He was q good man. H
knew her not, and perhaps well, no
that couldn't be. To her great sur
prise he took another seat, and 50
J down beside her. She instinctivel..
, drew her skirt away that it soile'
him not.
"My child, haveyou never read 9
t our Holy Mother2"
He called her "child." She woul'
. be as a little child to him for a while
Z "No. Where did she liver Wha
r is the child's name ?"
9 "It is the Christ" "
"Christ-Jesus Christ ?"
9 eyes. Jesus Christ, who died thO
( we all might live. This picture reE
y resents him as a little child"
+ 81 do not understand. How coul
: he die for us The people Of thi
!, country needed no one to be kille
i for them. Men fight and die j
:. armies, and"
t 0My child" said the gentleman
J, interruping her, "where have 70
It lived p Have you never read th
|, Book ?"
n "No. 1 cannot read. L was Dor
n in the country. Ihave lived in tt
Z streets since I was a child. l hay
(, heard people use Christ's name bl
l. they never told me who he was.
''Let me tell you now"
n "If you please, SIR"
d "Long time ago, in a distant coul
!. try. there was born this child, Il
/ child Jesus. Men had lived on Il
d earth for many years, but they ha
a followed their own inclinations, M
v had done many wicked things, al
V God was angry with them"
Ie Good / have heard Of him. I
n lives in Heayen?"
!. eyes" !.
u "And is always angry with u
>, wickedY"
), eyes, when they do wrong; but
,e loves us always. Well, as was sa
i ing, the world was very wicked, al
,e God was angry. Still he loved me
% and sent his Son into the world
teach them better, and to save theI
sr And at last he died that they mig
4 be forgiven and saved"
IN "And did he never come again
N aave otheraR