Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-18
MisfellaneoMs.
"sHlNE YOUR BOOTS, STRIP
CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY.1


not care which," said the man, pointing
to the dirty box.
The lad took it off and set 1t outside of
the office door. and came back and stood
gazing at the man earnestly.
What is your name P''l - n. .-.
Jimmy Lyon, sir" said the boy. r
"ls your father livingp" ftF
mo, SIR" ~
"Your mother ?" ...
"She is dead.''
"How long has she been dead ?n
Not long, sir"
you!' al = =
mo, sir" 4l G.. faea...
"How old are youP'
''Ten, last June, SIR"
The man thought of his own little boy
at home, just ten last June, and a sbiyer
of pain crept through his heart.
what are you going to dop' l"A'H
Take care OF myself, sir. have got
to do it now." And Jimmy drew himself
up and put on brave look, which touched
the mans heart. .,ffi.e
was it in the city your mother diedp"
inquired the man.
"Yes SIR" Z" i'f"
"How long agoP" '
at is only three weeks, SIR" The
brave look went out of his eyes. .e....1
Where did she die ?"
''Down in Water street. She was sick
a good while, sir, and could not work.
Father died last winter. But he did not
do any thing for u.s." A shadow of pain
was in the childs face, and the man saw
him shudder.
All he understood too well the sad
story that little boy could tell-the sad sto-
ry of dunken father, and sick. heart
broken mother. dying in want and neg.
Your mother was good, and you loved
Instantly the large, soft eyes glistened
with tears. "
What did she say to you before she
diedP' asked the man, speaking in a low,
tender voice.
She said" answered the boy, sorrow
fully, yet with something brave and man
iy in his voice, "'Never steal, never tell
lie. never swear, Jimmy. and God will
be your FRIEND; and have not done any
of them, sir, and never will"
Your mother taught you TO pray, Jim.
myp" '''' TT
Yes, sir; and say my prayers every
night. Sometimes bad boys make funiof
me, but do not mind it. l just think 1t
is God am saying them to, and then
feel all right"
The man felt choking in his throat,
ne was so moved by this. and would not
trust himself TO speak for some moments.
"God is our best friend, Jimmy" said
he, after little while, land no one trusts
him in vain. He has taken care OF vou
since your mother died. and, if you will
be good boy, will always take care of
you. Do you know that it was God who
led me to the apple-woman's stand Just in
time to see your brave and honest actpr
The boy opened his large eyes wonder
ingly. Zoj
1--WE cannot see God. but God can see
US; and, what is more, can look into our
hearts, and knows all we think and feel,r
replied the man. srs,3 sH nt
80 yes, sir. My mother told me that.
But do not know how he led you."
'He leads US by wavs that we know not.
my child. think can make you under
stand. God sees and knows everything.
lie knew that you would see the wicked
boy try to steal apples, and that you would
do all you could to stop him. Then he
put it into my thought to go and see a
man whose store | could not reach unless
went 10y the apple-stand, and this brought
me TO the spot just at the right moment.
l call that God leading me. Now do you
understand" ?" ta'7-
80 yes, sir, I see ii just as clear as day."
answered Jimmy. new light breaking
over his face.
"And God, who loves you and wants you
to be good and happy, knew that If saw
how honest and brave you were, would
be your friend" ......,,
80, sir! will you? "cried out little Jimmy,
trembling all over, while his fine face
lighted up suddenly with hope and joy.
p "Yes, my poor boy" answered the man,
whose heart was feeling very tender to-
ward the child; II will be your friend. if
you will be honest, obedent and truthful"
81 will try to be as good as / can, sir"
sobbed out Jimmy, losing all command of
his feelings. ..ss,o
Then the man went with him to q store
where they sold boys clothing, and select.
ed every thing he needed to wear. But
before he let him dress up in his new gar
ments he took him to bath-house, that he
might wash himself clean all over, and
comb the tangles out of his curly hair.
No one would have dreamed that the
handsome. well-dressed boy who little
while afterward walked beside his new
friend, holding his hand SO tightly, was
the same whose voice not an hour before
had been crying in the street. "Shine your
boots, sirp" 1t was never heard there again.
God had sent the brave child who tried to
be good friend in need, and he is now q
happy boy, studying with all his might,
and no doubt he will become q good and
nsafnl man Ch,L1rc,l'e Hour