The Van Buren press., 1876-09-12

weary child of poverty was lightened by
her sympathy and aid, "She is doing
her own duty, and her husbands also,
messed her quiet, unobtrusve deeds of
charity.
In very different dwelling from the
commodious one of Deacon H., dwell
ling so poor and dllapidated that the
winds of heaven gained easy admission,
there sat pale, care worn woman, busi,
| ~ sewing, W lie over few dying en-
bers shiveringlv hovered two little scan
tily. clothed girls. The room was bare
Of almost every comfurt; aud casual
glance was sufficient to show that gaunt
poverty had taken up his abode there,
"Oh, mother, can't we have little
more fire = pleaded Susy. the youngest.
whose thin little face wore such a wlstful,
! hungry look, that it added anew pang to
the mothers heart :" 1t is so cold here
and the tears began rapidly to course
| uUwn Tue fattru vt,v hp.
Hush, hush, dear, mother is sorry for
her little girl come here and wrap my
dress around you. perhaps it will give "A
little warmth. James will soon be here !;
| wouldn't wonder if he has some good
news for us and the poor mother sought
to smile into the wan, tear stained face,
as she drew her dress closely around the
little one At that moment the door
opened, and boy entered, drew chair
to the hearth and strove ia impart little
warmth to his chilled hands.
"Well, my son, what news" And
though the smile on her face was sad and
forced the poor mother ebdeavored to
speak cheelfully.
The same old story, mother; nobody
wants boy--at least nobody wants me
SO we must all starvc. ! suppose. Oh,
if father only would be different! What
shall we do and the boy, leaning his head
on his clasped hands, sobbed in agony
My sou, my son,' walled the poor
woman as she laid aside her work aud
drew the boys head on her lap. Don't
| Jimmy, don't. there must surely be help
for US. God will not utterly forkake us. !"
"Tnen why don't He send us help |
went into deacon Ii store, and though
the CLERK said they needed a boy, the dea
con wouldn't take me becuse father drinks
He said he wanted n respectable boy in
his store. The hard hearted old mser
II he's got religion, don't want any of
it,"
Z" 1t isn't religion that causes him to
be SO nnknd, my son; it is the want OF
it, rather Look at his wife, if you wish
to know what religion can do. You are
not to blame for your father acts and no
good man will ever think the less of you
Tor them. But cheer up; you know you
are mothers principal stay and hope, she
cannot bear to see her boy so sad Here
is Mrs Ii. now; who knows but what she
has found place for you ~
Good afternoon, Mrs. Connor,' said
that lady, entering the rooms ~ have
good news for you; but have you no
wood I this must not be; you will perish
IN this bitter weather. | will send some
this very afternoon. Poor little girls"
glancing pittully at tue shiveriny chill
dren, how cold you look, come here
and wrap these furs around you. Well,
James. have found you a place at last
Farmer b. says you are just the boy for
him; and Mrs Connor, have seen some
OF the reform boys, who have promised
to do all tuey can for your husband.
They say he wouldn't have broken his
pledge. had it not been for the solicita
tons OF that miserable II an at the corner.
But the boys will watch him more close.
ly for the future, and l am convinced
better days are in store tor you"
God bless you, God bless you," sob
bed the poor woman. grasping the lady's
hand, while the tears coursed silently
down her cheeks "God will reward
you; we never can"
The greatest of these is charity"
Oh that charity, that world. wide, all EN-
bracing charity. That love to God and
love to man. Would to God there was
more of it.