Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-11-05
md the cool waters of the fountain near

child, taking up little blue Bible which
was lying on the seat "about God.
Don't you love Him very much, sir Z"
Did he Aye years ago, when as a
pure-soulcd child, he knelt at loved
mothers knee and lisped his evening
prayer. But now he felt that he was
not fit to come into the Divine Pres
ence, for his heart continually cried
''unclean ! unclean!" But at the same
time his nature was craving for alcoholic
liquor. He took some of the water and
carried it to his burning mouth. Seeing
him do this the child said:
"Ah! you are thirsty. and hungry,
too, l guess. Stop here, please, and l
will get you something" and her fairy
figure fitted to the house.
His first impulse was to hurry away
ere she should return. but then he was
tired and hungry. and the shady seat was
so different from the hot, dusty road
And he leaned his head against the cool,
green leaves, and dreamily listened to
the low hum of the bees, the sweet twill
and twitter of the birds, and the musical
splashing of the fountain. Presently he
heard voice, saying:
"Well, Birdie, where is your pro-
tege ?"
And on looking up he saw, coming
down the path, the little girl and her
father. The tramp arose The old sui
len look came back upon his face ard the
hard expression in his eyes, for he ex-
pected to be thrust out of the yard as If
he were mad dog, he was so used to
being scoffed at and scorned so used TO
having men. when they saw him, turn
and ''pass by on the other side" And
so he stood up grimly defiant, and in
tending to meet in silent, stolid way,
the frowns and harsh words of the gen
tleman. But the voice that spoke to
him was CHEEKY and pleasant, and had
ring of real brothcrly feeling in it.
"Well, my man. you seem to be in
trouble. What can / do for you p
"Nothin', SIR replied the tramp and
he added, half alphabetically, 'you see
the little Miss was so kind as to ask me
to come in and rest. l was tired, and
it looked so pleasant that came. I'll
take myself off now, sir. know that
I'm not very nice object to be in gen
tleman's garden. Not exactly ornament
al" and the tramp laughed short bitter
laugh.
mo, do not go yet; sit down." said
the gentleman kindly.
The tramp obeyed, and the other
continued :-''You must not be discour-
aged Tell me your story my friend,
and perhaps can help you"
There was something in the eyes that
bent so kindly upon him, something in
the CHEEKY voice that made the tramp
unburden his heart and tell the short
miserable story. Drink had been his
bane. BY it he lost everything, He
also told us his name and native town,
but that is nothing to us. You, reader
have met such person, and perhaps
have passed by scornfully, saying,
Only tramp" Or did you reach out
a helping hand ?
Mr. Leigh did this.
81 will give you work, my man, and
pay you well. viii you hire out?"
"Would you trust me p said the
tramp with wstful look. "Sir, L
| can't trust myself fear / should
drink if | had the chance"
my friend, will trust you and help
you but you must remember that there's
One mighter than | who will aid you"
Il know it" he said reverntly. "And
| will try and do better"
How much damage one little, careless
act will often cause.
just the placing of wax candle only
couple of inches too near the lace cur
tain--and then the nurse girl went out,
unconscious of the mischief that would
cnsue from her act.
Then the flame, shooting up. seized
hold the delicate lace, and famed by the
night breeze, as it brcarhcd in at the
open window, the fiery element divided
into two branches, one climbing up the
curtain and along the ceiling. and other
creeping along the white velvet, rose
strewn carpet until it caught hold of the
dainty dressing table adorned with
foamy pillows Of lace Leaving charred
remains of these, it swept along to the
bed, where it met the other flame
the two having formed fiery circuit
around the chamber.
Did it pause there? Did it have no
mercy ?-Ah no! Not even though in
that bed lay the sweetest. dearest child
that ever was, little Birdie, sleeping
peacefully. Her red lips we're parted,
disclosing the tiny pearly teeth, the rosy
cheek was pressed on the round white
arm and dimpled shoulder, and her
golden hair, all unbound, lay like a
halo Of light about her. A sweet pic
ture Of childcst beauty, she slept on, all |
unconscious of the terrible demon hover |
ing over her.
The fire snapped and cracked about
the bed-posts, and with fiery scarlet
tongues it Tapped at the white curtains
and dainty counterpane.
A plying angel must have whispered 1
in little Brides ear just then, for she
awoke and sprang hurriedly out of bed
but bewildered and blinded with smoke,
she could not find her way either to
window or door and with Mortified cry
Of Papa mammal" she sank to the
floor
Suddenly Fire ! fire p' loud voice
cried ont below, and the night air rang
with the fearful word.
Mr.. Leigh and his wife were away at
a wedding and no one at home but the
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