Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-01-18
NEW SERIES, VOL. XI. No. 8.

The farmer got up with threatening look.
Lizzie quickly opened the door and drew her
sister with her. The children again stood in
the farm yard, bat knew not what TO do
Suddenly Little Mary drew her hand from her
sisters clasp, and went to the other side of
the yard there was fierce dog chained; his
dinner stood before him in . wooden basin
Mary put her hand into the basin and began
to eat with the dog. Lizzie went nesrer and
saw that in the basin there was some LIQUOR in
which few pieces of bread and some boiled
potatoes were floating She, likewise could
net resist she had but one feeling, that of
the most gnawiDg hunger; ss took some OF
the bread and potstoss, and 19.hem gresdily.
The dog, not accustomed to such guests,
looked at the children full of astonishment
and he drew back, then sat down and left
them his dinner, of which he had eaten very
little. AT this moment the farmer stepped
into the yard he wished to see whether the
children had really left, and then he saw this
singular scene. Tho dog was noted for his
6erceness, and feared alike BY old and young;
he was obliged to be constantly chained. No
one dared to como near him except his mas.
ter. Even the servant put his food before
him IN the most cautious msnnsr. In the
frst moment the man thought of nothing but
the fearful danger in which the children were,
and walking quietly toward them, he ex-
claimed:
"Doa't you see the dog7 He will tear you
to pieces"
But suddenly lie stopped as if chGined to
the ground the dog had got up again, and
gone neal the children, then he looked at his
master and wagged his tail. 1t seemed as if
he wanted to say:
Don't drive my guests away ~
AT that sight greut change came over the
man ; the spectacle before him acted like an
electric shock, and feelings such us he had
never before experienced seemed to stir with.
in him
The children had raised, terrified at the call
OF the man. fearful of punishment for having
eaten, with downcast eyes. At last, after
several minutes silence, the farmer said
Are you really so fearfully hungry that
you do not even despse the dogs food p
Come in, then, you shall have something TO
eat, and as much as you like" And then
taking them by the hand he led them into the
house, calling cut TO the servant, "Biddy, get
some hot bread and milk, and be quick, for
these children"
The dog had shamod bis master-the brute
hSd shamcd the msn. Touched by what he
had seen, the farmer was anxious to make
amends for what his conscience showed him
to be great sin. IL seated the children at
the table, sat down by them, and kindly asked
their Names
My usmo is Lizzie, said the eldest, "and
my sister is called Mary"
Have your parents been dead long ?"
''Our father has been dead two years bu.
our mother only died last week"
At tbs thought of their recent loss both
children began to cry.
Don't ory, ohildreu." said the farmer
kindly. God will in one w.y or another
tsko caro- Of you. But tell me now, where do
you come from 2"
"Fron Loughres." replied tho child.
"From I,ouChrea 2" asked the man, from
Loughres? That is strange? 2"
lie began to suspect the tra,h, and a,ked
hesitatiusly
'WhRt was your fathers name 2"
Martin Sullivan" replied Lizzie.
What Martin Sullivan 2" he
exclaimed, Jumping up At the same time, and
eating piercing look at the children,
thoroughly frightening them.
bis tacS grew reG-thcn tears came into
his eyes-Ht Last he sobbed aloud lie took
the youngest child in his arms pressed her to
his heart and kissed her. She struggled and
called to her sister for help; she could not
think what the man meant Then he put
down tho little one. and did the same to Liz
zie, who tosk it more quietly, as abe had soen
that the man did not hurt her sister. At last
becoming more composed, he dried his tears
and said {:
"Do you know my name, children 2"
'No," replied Lizzie.
"HoW happened it, then, that you have
ccze to me ?" he asked. HAS any one sent
you to me 2"
Nobody has seps u.s." replied Lizzie
We were to 70 to kilburn, whore a brother
of our fsther lives, and they said he would
gladly receive us. But do not believe il,
for our mother always said that he is hard
hearted man, who does not care for his rrla-
tions"
Your mother was quito right when she
said SO" said the farmer But what vi
you do if this hard hearted mau does not re-
ceive you Z"
Then We shall have to starve," answered
Lizzie.
No, No." exclaimed the man quickly
at shall never come to that-uever Dry
your tears. The merciful God has pity on
your helplessness, and made use Of fierce
brute to soften the heart of yOug uncle, and
therefore he will never forsake you-nevsr.
The children looked at the mas in utter
bewildermeut. they did not understand what
he ssid-his words and his behavior were
alike strange to them This h soon per-
ceived for he added: "Youfeka going to
Kilburn to Patrick Sullivan you are al
ready there am your uncle. and now that
| know that you are the children of my
brother Martin, make you welcome"
The childreu's tears quickly changed into
smiles, and the meal which Biddy jus. then
put on the table for them made them forget
their grief Patrick Sullivan had taken his
farm about year before A kind Provi-
deDce had directed the ehildren's steps 10 him;
but if the dog had not taught him a lesson of
kindness. who knows what might after all
have become of the poor orphans. But He
who is the Father of the fatberless would