Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-12-23

He was arrestedby the change coming
over the child s face, as if all her strength
were spent, and the frail temple were
tottering to it's fall The transparent
lids closed YEARLY upon the sunken
eyes. The wan lips met in a thin, blue
line, and the little hands relaxed
"She is sleeping, father" whispered
Faith.
John felt the futtering pulse of heart
and wrist, and his face grew grave.
1T something else, fear, my child.
Worse than that, my little Faith
Midnight passed, and the snow with
out kept falling noiselessly. And the
winds, that, whistling around many a
happy home, bore merry visions of
Santa Claus and his steeds to the brain
of many sleeping child, hushed their
violence here, and crept off serily sigh
ing. Even the good little Christmas
saint, on his rounds that night, nodded
sadly when he paused upon John
Bright's roof-tree and drove away. For
there he found another presence keep
watch and ward
Indoors, John and little Faith held
their patient vigil. She had refused to
go to bed. And all through the ebbing
moments sat tenderly ministering to the
little sufferer.
After long time of silence, while the
old clock in the corner licked in the
Christmas day, and the fire glow sober
ed to dull and steady red, the child
stirred and spoke:
Oh! no, no, Bill; don beat me |!
[ never stole nothin'. It wa only a
bone, aud the dog dun left it."
Cali right, little chap" said John,
soothing her with his great hand. emo
Bills and bones here, I'll promise you. y
With full consciousness, she lost her
piteous whimper, and let herself be hush
ed to rest. Faiths gentle fingers part
lips touched the wasted brow.
"You must not be afraid, dear !" she
said, "you have found friends, and we
will take care of you"
II likes it," said the child, in a
whisper. * It's warm, and you are
NICE"
"Kin I stay here?' she asked, pres
entity. -"B Bill said his dog 'ud get me if
/ ruined away. He bit me onst, that
dog" and out of her childish lips quite
naturally, and without hesitation,
came an oath that made Faith shudder,
ooh, you must not say those words
you must not" cried the young
monitress. cit breaks my heart to
hear you, end God will be angry with
you"
Who's he? Is it that ere ?" said
the child, pointing toward John
- Please, mister, don't get mad. I
ain t."
| She was too weak to go on. Faith
leant close down to her ear, and spoke,
softly.
God is your father, poor child, and
he won't be angry if you tell him you
are sorry"
II never seed him; I haint got
none"
"Don't talk now. I'll tell you about
; him the best lean"
And, in her earnest fashion, Faith
told the wonderous tale. She spoke OF
Gods love, and to the ears of one
nearer at least her accents sounded like
the dropping of milk and honey from
the promised land. And before she
had finished the sweet recital the child
had sunk into another period of light
slumber, her hand clasped in Faiths.
The freight glimmered on the wall.
making frieze, across which trooped
figures gaunt and shadowy, like the old
Ossianic heroes. The warm red of dra-
peries, and the glitter of holiday gar
lands sank alike into gloom, and for a
long time no sound came to the watchers,
save the ticking of the tireless clock and
the weakened breath ebbing slowly out.
Suddenly the vagrant opened her
eyes again.
'.Im a-clearin' out, please, mister.
Only it was warm"
You-you are going, little one, said
Faith, sorrowfully. "Won't you ask
God to take you?"
rs it warm up there-that place you
sad? Is there winters, too 2"
4" Yes; it is beautiful place, and
you'll never be cold again, nor hungry,
noranything, but Gods own little child. !"
ooh please ak him-ax him to take
me long she said, with frightened
eyes. "That was good what you said,
bout that gentleman that sent his son. :"
Faith took the little hands, and fold
ed them IN token of suppication- She
raised her own soft eyes, and the little
one looked upon her wonderingly.
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom
come"
"Come," echoed the stammerlng
lips. a'a.s- .''' F. 40 =
That was all, as weary soul fluttered
out into rest. Only that, when the
pilgrimshoon, too early worn and
grimed," were loosed, John Bright fell
down upon his knees, and sobbed
aloud. AS for Faith, it did not frighten
her. She quietly arose, and drew
aside the curtain, and there
"The east and west, without breath
| Mixed their dim lights like life and death,
To broaden into boundless day."
Man-Of- Wars Cutter Run Down.
| r 7 II