The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-03-26
@isrrHanenus.
TRUST.

which hardly deserved the name of bed
al all. The room was very bare and very
cold. As Nat slipped ON what remained
of his only pair of shoes, a heavy cloud
seemed to settle down upon his face
His mother, little woman with a face
pale and worn, but cheerful, neyerthe-
less, was putting few cTusts of bread
with three or four cold potatoes upon a
plate.
al do say, mother, - said Nat, shiver-
ing and looking about the room, 1T is
no sort of use; we shall have to give up.
| don't see but We shall freeze to death
with no fire, and starve besides" And
Nat sat down upon the side of his bed
and leaned his face upon his hand. 81
can't get bit of work to do, and there
isn't person in the world that cares a
cent about u.s." he continued, detected
ly. ''It seems as if should not care so
much if it was just myself, but to see
you cold and hungry, mother, is more
than can bear" And Nat burst into
tears.
''Why, my boy" said his mother,
cheerily, ''don't give up so. Don't you
remember that we have a Father who
sees all our troubles, and if we only trust
him, he will help usl"
'You have said that for the last three
weeks, mother" said Nat, land l have
tried to trust Him; but things grow
worse and worse"
Though he slay me, yet will l trust
in him, is the trust we want to have
Matte, said his mother, sitting down
by his side and putting her arms around
his neck. 1--WE have each other left yet
and we are not really sick"-her eyes
grew little dim as she looked at Mats
thin face-''and then there is that nice
teacher at the mission school, you know
who thought she could do something for
you"
yes" said Nat, wiping his eyes with
the back of his hand; but | have not
seen him, and don't know a. ever
shall. My clothes have got so bad tina;
can't go to the school" :"
''Well, dear" said his mother, we will
eat what we have, and be cheerful. We
shall not starve to-day, and may be you
may get few pennies for sweeping. and
| may get little washing to do; at any
rate, We Will try one day more. We
must look as cheerful and pleasant a.
we can, too, for people will be more like
ly to help us if smile and look pleasant
than they will if We look cross and
sour"
Nat tried hard TO smile and eat his
share of the scanty breakfast. Bidding
his mother good-hy. hs took his old
broom and started out. He walked pain
fully up street after street, for his feet
were covered with c'iilblains, and his old
shoes We're hard and full of holes. Al
last he srlected II crossing to sweep
where he thought rich and fashionable
people .-,ight cross, and patiently waited
trying to look cheerful and smiling. Du
ring the afternoon ne got a few pennies
but rs the afternoon wore on, lac feI
faint aud hungry. and leaning on hi
broom, he began to think Of what hi
mother had said in the morning
Though he slay me" kept ringing il
his head.
''Ah,'' he thought to himself, Il have
not really trusted. When everything goei
on we'll, the trusting is easy enough; bu
when it comes TO the Staying" | Civ,
in" Hearing voices near him he start
ed, and. looking up, saw the mission
school teacher. Such gleam of hop,
shot through his heart that it lighted uI
his face, and he felt as if help had come
''Ah, Nat, how do you dor said th,
teacher pleasantly, while tie gentleman
who was with him looked on with som,
surprise "How are you getting oil
nurl'
Not at all, " answered Nat, trying t.
smile.
Il am sorry said his teacher. ..
hoped was going to get a chance 70
yol last week, but / lost it. Well, keeI
up your courage; think We will fine
something yet" and the gentleman
walked on.
Nat looked after them with tears al
ready come into his eyes.
"1ourage. with nothing 40 eat" Ia
Thought, leaning on his broom again
'but that is not trusting, and mean T.
really trust, for there is nothing else
can do" Aud shutting his eyes for
moment, he sent an earnest little praye
to the loving Heavenly Father, who i
Just as ready TO hear us when we call t,
Hum from the noisy street as from Tia,
hash Of the church.
''iialloo, there. young~ter,r said ,
hearty voice. ''Hold my horse here, and
I'll give you II quarter"
Nat dropped his broom and ran eager
ly To the horse. A portly gentleman
stepped with some difficulty from til
carriage. Nat looked at him and smile
pleasantly.
You think | am rather awkward
youngSter.' he said: "hnt I'm only jus
off the water, and your miserable Ian
traps can't manage"
30. no sir; did not think so at all.
said Nat, looking at him wistfully, fc
iIis own dear father died at sea, AN
there was a charm about anybody VIII
had been on the water.
Something about the smile on Nat
wan face must have attracted the gentle
a man, for he turned back after he ha
started up the steps OF the house.