The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-09-14

SiueTtu ~ Lut pIt5tub tluleY Whtn EerO-
sene lamps with their intensely lumin-
ou4 flames, become more and more COM
mon.-Me5ical Journal
now J4CK FOUND 4 F4THER.
Little Jack Kent had never known the
pleasure of a bright nursery, full of
sunshine and toys. He had never known
a mothers tender love or a proud fathers
care: for his mother had died soon after
his birth, and his only home was a dark
-ad- dirty cellar, and out Of this he was
s'175ne cold n;ght by the Landlord,
who told him that his father had been
nearly drowned the day before, and he
must find another home.
Poor little Jackie was only ten
years old, and not a bad boy considering
how he had grown up,-this was early
for him to be turned out into the world
on his own resources; but he had, as
the boys say, "plenty of pluck" and
his first thought was to find his father,
if he were still alive, and see him once
more: for though he had been hard
father and gave him more cuffs and
curses than kind words, Ae was after
all, his father, and the only friend he
had in the world.
1t was wsh some difficulty that be
discovered where they had carried the
dying man; and when he at last reached
the rough bedside, he found he was too
late, and threw himself on the floor
with sad cry of Father, father
His childish voice seemed to rouse the
poor man, for he turned his head, open
ed his eyes, and said slowly and with
great difficulty: "I haven't been much
Of father to you, my boy; if your
mother had lived, it might have been
diferent-try to find out about her God,
poor little chap. He will take care Of
you and then poor Jack was father
ess; he knew nothing of the Father
of the fatherless;" he turned and went
away, a desolate child indeed.
But he was not one to despair; be
knew an empty house where he had
often slept before, and there he crept,
determined in the morning TO begin life
as a newsboy; he had a few shillings
some one had found in his fathers pock-
ct. But his last thought ere he fell
asleep were about his fathers dying
words. TRY and find out about your
mothers Cod Jack had often heard
that name, but always taken in vain.
Glow could he take care of me?---but
must try and find him." he whispered
We cannot follow Jack through tn.
daily events of the weeks that followed
He made enou n by selling papers to
keep himself from starving; and, as ii
was not yet the depth of winter, man
aged to sleep without freezing in hi.
empty house. But God had not forgot.
ten him: before we call he is ready Ia
answer, and he was preparing way in
which Jack might find him--indeed "He
Is not far from any of US" at any
time
1t was one bright Sunday afternoon
ana Jack was sitting on the curb stone
warming himself in the sunshine, when
a pleasant-looking young lady passed by
and gave him, with kind word, a card;
on it was a picture of Christ blessing
little children, and, below, a verse.
Jack knew few werds, and he spelled:
Good, God" and started to his feet,
looking eagerly round for the young
lady, but she had passed into one of the
houses; he glanced back at his card and
said to himself "Can this be a picture
of God? l viii ask her if she comes
back; she must know him, or she would
not have a card with his name on it."
So when Grace Marvin came out from
seeing sick child Zone of her Sunday
school class, she was met by an eager
little face and voice and this strange
question: '"Uh, ma, am. do you know
God, and where | can find him?' She
did know God, through his dear Son,
our Saviour, and, like all who truly love
him, it was a joy to her to tell others
the story. So, regardless Of the passers
by, she sat down on the step, and, draw
ing the boy to her side, she told him the
simple truth in words suited to his ig-
nOrant mind. Poor Jack was rather
disappointed at first, of course: he could
not understand the great fatherhood of
God, nor his constant love and care, but
hoped in his desolate little heart for
some one friend that he might turn to
for love and protection; but this the
good God was about to give him too, for
Grace, guessing his thoughts, asked him
to come and see her the next evening;
and so usied herself, that, when he
came. he found something more than
the warm welcome and the hot suppe
which he had first. She had secured
bed for him in the "Newsboys' Lodging
House." and suit of halfworn clothes;
and before he left her, she knelt down
with him and taught him a simple pray
er l think Jack then first began TO
know Ga little.-M T. Observe.
Young lady, who is taking a course
of English history, anxious to air her
knowledge, imparts to the frst-grade
grammar school girl by her side the his
tories of the various queens whose por-
traits embellish the volumn. Coming to
Lady Jane Grey, shs says: This poor
queen only reigned twelve days, and
then they cut her head off" Intelligent
sweet sixteen, who is favorite with the
gentlemen, with dreadful earnestness re-
plies: {" My gracious Why didn't