American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-01-02
VOL. XIV.


hunting d soapstones for the cook to
heat for BEN; and Mrs. Brent quietly
rode downtown to prepare her poor pu-
pills for ID rare pleasure. In place of
the fami1 sleigh, Mike was ordered to
procure shuch larger one from the liv-
ery. and 1 one hour after Madge made
her prop6al in the sky-parlor the three
friends ERE seated in the Lady of
LYONS" n their way to March street.
Here Nd Brent Joined them, with a
number H bright-faced children, and
rode wild them to see that poor Tommy
JenkInst as well wrapped up, and had
the soft(t seat.
They Rove gayly up the avenue, where
the Be4(ed, as Harry called his mother,
left thu, with instructions to return
before fheir guests were frozen stiff"
On tbir way out of town they met
many d their own and their mothers
friendswho doubtless wondered what
new flax affected the Brents. Poor
Tomm1s cheeks grew rosy and his nose
blue; ht Harry nestled him close to
himset and never thought or cared what
the febws would say Your truly man.
ly boz, like your truly womanly girls,
think rst of duty and right and last of
LES it &c much farther?" asked
Tomt,. as he looked up into Harry's
pluu9, fair face.
That, Tommy"
wheel OF come to something? 1t seems
such great big world"
"fes, Tommy; 1t comes to something
Beyhd here little way is another city
not large as New York or Boston, but
a bf city for all that. Would you like
to 81 more of this great world.
.fes, SIR" said Tommy, "ever and
vefso much; but can't, you see, cause
my1eet are gone away"
wiper to Tennie. 81 wonder what he
wi1make?"
1adge began to sing some of the SIM
pl&ongs which the children of the Mis-
sid school all knew, and sang heartily;
AM away they flew over the crisp snow,
VIII the bells tinkling an accompani-
nit, the horses dancing as if they too
eIPyed the sport, and even Mike and
til man from the livery full of fun.
Hry found it time to turn at last, and
ahy they went flying cityward-
Who made you think of it?" asked
ummy, as they drew near town.
Think of what, Tommy"
fWhy, taking US poor folks away over
ID beyond, like you have done"
p Ohp' said Harry, "my sister thought
d 1.-THE young lady with the curls.
4e is always trying to make somebody
tppy:"'
he was with me, you know. when the
2rs did it, and the doctors said the feet
lust come of, and cried little; but
be told me beautiful stories, and told
be to hope. Oh, yes, know her; she is
by best friend, and no shamming. And
tnly think" added Tommy, you can
i've in the house with her, and see her
klways. How nice that must ber
Harry looked at his sisters smiling
lace and said softly to himself: What
Eould the house be without her? Poor
little Tommy you have taught me to
Falue one of my blessings more than
kver."
l They all reached No. 40 in safety, and
Mrs. Brent opened the door herself for
khem.
Now, children" said Harry, "you
|are coming in to make a call upon my
mother. Get out carefully, and don't
hurry"
Tommy was lifted out in Mikes strong
arms, and carried into the warm parlor
The poor boy had never fully recovered
from the shock to his system. and he Law
where Mike placed him, looking in a
dreamy way at the chandelier, the mir
rors, rich curtains and cheerful pictures.
Madge found her way to him with glass
of warm milk, which she insisted on his
taking before his wraps were removed.
Mrs. Brent, Tennie and Harry were busy
with the other children, SO Madge had
Tommy all to herself.
"Now, Tommy" said she, "you must
close your eyes and rest a little before
dinner. ] am going upstairs to dress,
and the other children will go into the
play-room for a little while. Try to
sleep, if you can"
The girls went up to the room they had
left in the morning, and were soon neatly
dressed for the early dinner; for Mrs.
Brent had entered so fully in the plan
proposed by her daughter, she had given
orders for it some hours earlier, and made
some few changes in her plans.
When Madge went back to Tommy she
found him fast asleep, with his white,
thin face nestled in the pillow.
Let him rest" said Mrs. Brent. "The
hungry children can wait, and poor
Tommy is happy now"
Miss Hope!" called Tommy, a few
moments after.
Madge was busy in the library, show
ing the children some prints, but Ten
ME took her place while she went to
"Weli," said Madge, bending over the
little FELLOWSHIP had long ago become
accustomed to the name he gave her
"well, Tommy, what has frightened
your"
Il thought" said Tommy thought
l was in heaven, but you had gone away
and left me. This part is true, isn't it ~
he said, looking about the large parlors.
Yes, Tommy, you are in my home
now, and want you to be just as happy
as you can be. Somebody is waiting to
carry you out to dinner"
| Il dreamed had u;Dpo xubop 7 1ov
| there" said the boy. elf ! only had
now shouldn't trouble everybody"
| It's no trouble at all to lift a feath-
er's weight" said the servant, good ma
turedly.
| What dinner for hungry children!
On every plate Mrs. Brent had placed a
little book and some useful present
warm mittens, socks, or mantle, These
were just glanced at and laid aside Poor
Tommy sat in cushioned chair, toe
happy to eat. The turkeys were done to
a turn, the plum pudding excellent, and
the elegant silver dazzled the eyes of the
children as they ate. What a day to be
remembered by each one of the little
Onesl
:" should like to be you" said Tom
my, in an undertone, to Harry
why, my boy?" asked ne.
You see u fellow couldn't do wrOn,
living here he hasn't any call to; ant
it must be so easy to be good in sof
places"
Harry gave quick glance in the di
rectiOn of his mother, and remembered
a certain half-burnt cigar lying on tn
would injure him, for all scientific peopl
agree on it's poison to youth; he kney
his mother would be cruelty hurt if h
began such course; he knew dea