The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-12-29


and in few minutes afterward both
stood at the bedside-if bundle oil
straw may be called bed-of the dying
woman. She was unconscious of their
presence. In her hand was a piece OF
bread, which her son had broken off the
loaf and placed there; but the arm was
too feeble to raise it to the quivering
lips. The doctor stopped to feel her
pulse. As he gently touched the unre-
sisting arm, he looked sadly for an in.
slant at the boy, who stood bewildered
in a corner of the room, which was dimly
lighted by the suffering oil-lamp, and
whispered to himself, Poor boy!"
John knew the meaning of the look
and the words. The end was come
Stepping over to the boy, he took him
gently by the hand, and knelt down.
The boy instantly did the same.
A happy feeling shot through Johns
heart, for the quick movement of the
boy told him that some one, perhaps his
mother, whose tide of life was almost at
its ebb, had taught him to pray.
Yes-kind, good John, although un-
known to you at that time, the dying
woman had been a true mother to the
trembling boy that knelt beside him,
and, in the midst of her many troubles
and affections, had ever turned his
youthful thoughts to that all-loving
Savior, who blessed the little children,
and promised that they should be partak-
ers of His heavenly glory. Short and
fervent was the prayer of the good man,
and when he arose he saw the doctor lay
ing across the throbless bosom of the
woman the arm which he had been hold
ing. Then he knew that the boy was
motherless, and he led him away, unre-
sisting from the presence of death, and
giving the keeper of the lodging house
some money in order that the body might
not be disturbed, the three, the mother
less boy, the doctor, and John passed out
into the lane.
When they reached the High street,
the bells in the church-tower announced,
with joyous peal that Christmas had
come.
The snow storm had passed, and the
stars were twinkling brightly in the I'M
clouded sky-the same stars that shone
on the shepherds of Bethlehem when
the angels proclaimed the birth of Him
who came to call earth's weary wander
ers to His Fathers eternal peace and
rest; who is a Father to the Fatherless
who has said that those who seek Him
early shall find Him, and that none who
come to Him shall be cast out; who has
promised blessing and comfort to those
that mourn, and whose promises abide
forever.
81 T
night, Margery," said John, as his wife
opened the door; "he is not very big, SO
| dare say you will be able to find room
for him."
The boy looked timidly in Msrgery's
face, as if fearful of her answer Mar
gerry give an unkind reply? She could
not if she tried.
g Room, John! ay, plenty of room,
and welcome" and Margery kissed the
boy, who burst into tears; whereupon
John blew his nose violently, and hur-
ried his wife and the boy, whose name
was Harry Fielding, up stairs to supper.
Harry ate little, and when he spoke, it
was only to say yes and no. The kind
couple saw that his heart was full, and
did not trouble him with questions. But
after supper, he was shown into snug
little bedroom, which looked as if it had
been designed for little fellow like him.
And so it had been.
John and Margery sat long over the
parlor fire, talking about Harry, and pro-
pounding many schemes concerning what
should be done with him. John listened
without Directing to any proposal Mar
gerry made, but he had settled it in his
mind that, if the thing were possible, the
boy should remain.
" Margery," said John, after a long
pause of silence, "don't you think the
boy is very much like our Willie, whom
it pleased God to take from us so long
ago.?
" Why, John that very thought passed
through my mind when | kissed him, as
he stood, timid and trembling, at your
side"
After another long pause, John said
" Margery, lass, a strange idea has
taken possession of me tonight. Isome-
how think that Heaven has sent this boy
to me as a Christmas gift"
" A very strange thought" said Mar
gerry.
" And yet not so strange, lass, after all.
Where do all our gifts come from but
from Heaven? and all are intended for
our good. But then rises the solemn
thought, dear wife, that we must all give
an account of how we have used these
gifts. Let us consider this boy Gods
Christmas gift to US, and let us bring
him up IN such manner that. when
the time comes, We shall not be ashamed
to render an account Of our steward
ship"
1T shall be as you say, dear John.
Yet--if day should come on which his
friends or relations claim himl Oh! ]
know you too well not to guess what a
heartbreak his departure would be-"
1t would be bitter parting for me;
still, for all that, let us do all the good
for him We can, until that day comes, il
it must come, Margery, dear"
Harry Fleming followed the remains
of his mother to the grave. She was
decently inferred in the churchyard OF
Wilton, the expense being shared by the
rector, the doctor and John, who often
banded together to do good.
According to the story which Harry
told to his kind protectors, while sitting
on his stool between them at the fireside
one evening, it appeared that his father
had become, shortly after marriage, a
drunkard and gambler. He used to
absent himself from home, frequently fol
many days, and would, when he return
ed, beat his wife, and otherwise treat
her cruelty. At last his property was
seized by his creditors, and he fled, nc
one knew whittier, leaving his wife and
child to the mercy of the world.
The poor deserted wife had neither
friends nor relations. She thought il