Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-09
The Lost Linch-Pln.


lantern under the huge vehicle, and stoop
ing, began to search carefully among the
loose chaff and wisps of hay scattered ovei
the floor.
The scene was the threshing-hoor of 9
large barn, with great mows frowning darkly
above on either hand, and vast granarie,
stretching away in the rear, and the speaker,
were a poor little orphan boy who had LOST
a linch-pin. and the sympathetic kitchen-gir
of the farm As the latter rose from hei
fruitlpss search the bright glow of the Lantern
fell full upon her, revealing a face-not
pretty, certainly, if viewed from a cultivated
artistic standpoint, but fresh aud grlish
and just now glorifed by soft halo Of
womanly pity.
80 Robbie I'm so sorry she said rising
" Can't you think where you had it last 2
No, Sue. can't I've tried and tried
| reckon old Beeson will nearly kill me-h,
did last time" Then with shudder, throw
ing his childish arms around her waist 40
Sue, he's awful"
Poor baby" cried the girl, casping him
closer, Will" her soft gray eyes filled with
tears. II wish | could save you. How
did you ever come to be left with him, any
how ?"
"Wh,, you see,' was the reply. "wher
mother died there was only me and Chris.
and Chris. amt like me. So he thought h,
would go away and make fortune for IL,
both. His name is Christopher - lik,
Christopher Columbus, you know-and h,
meant to do some great thing, too. Not il
ship though, but in the big city. He hac
read of poor boys making money there, anc
as the homestead was gone, he was bound tt
try it. And then old Beeson Offered to keel
me while he was away. But Chris, nevel
meant for me to be abused. heard hin
say that | was to go to school and be wei
treated, and that he would pay for my boarc
and expenses when he came back. But
reckon he'll never come now" Aud Tia,
poor chld's tears fell fast at the thought.
40 maybe he will" answered the girl
soothngly. "We'll hope so anyway"
well. maybe" he assented drearily
" But O Sue if | were only of age, like you
wouldn't go TO seek him !" Then, as witt
a sudden thought, "Sue, what makes you
STAY You ereof age six months ago"
al know" she said, aud paused as if the
question was an unsettled one with herself
nen,with the light still upon her brow" Partl,
for your sake, maybe. Robbie, and rarity be
acuse don't know where to go. don't mine
working, and | must do that in any place
Besides il is better for me I'm in the hous,
with Misses, and Robbie she isn't like him
Many piece of bread and meat she gives t
the hungry beggars, and many poor tram
she allows to sleep in the barn when he ain
round"
The last clause was unfortunate, for the
boy clinging yet closer, cast shudderinl
glance upward toward the great mows wher,
the shadows were scarcely disturbed by thei
feeble glow OF light.
90 Sue - he cried wildly, "What if HI
should make me stay all night in the barn
He has threatened to many time. An,
way, he is going to horsewhip me. o Sue
Sue, what can we do !"
The poor excited child sank down in DIES
pair.
I'VE might pray" said Sue, timidly.
"Pshaw lie prays."
There was a whole volume of incipien
skepticism in those three bitter words
IL know" answered Faith, sorely puzzled
yet clinging to her anchor. :" | know, bu
it don't sound like the prayers used to hea
at the 'oyum. There they spoke to som,
one close to hand, so gentle, so loving, ant
yet so mighty. O, Robbie, now | Just re
member the words, so strong TO deliver
Who knows but he might save you ? Their
was the man in the den OF lions, and tn
three children in the fiery furnace"
" 1t no use, Sue" he interrupted sadly
There's no deliverer for me but Chris, anC
heW never come now. Go on to the hous
and tell the old man that cant find it. 1T
as well to get it over"
I" Poor lamb" said the tender-hearte,
girl, kissing the quivering lips which wer,
trying so hard to be brave. an leave tn,
light, and III beg hard for YOU" And re
pressing a sigh over the hopelessness OF he
task, she glided out into the starlight, leav
ing the poor little victim to await cruelt,
which, considering the centuries of Chris
tian progress that have elapsed since tn,
slaughter OF the innocents, not only out
llerods Herod, but is one of the darkes
blots upon our social life.
Just here ! must pause to offer a plea fol
the children, the most defenceless objects in
all Gods creation. We sigh over the mis-
cries of poor Smike, over little David Cop
periield's sorrowful journey; alas that tbs
magic hand which so moved us is vanished
forever but can match these thrilling mar
ratives with true stories of a child rendered
almost idiotic by continued cruelty, and of a
little fugitive bound-b boy who, after weary
days of hunger and travel, sank blstered
and fainting at his mothers feet ] can tell
of a woman-think of it--a woman who
for some childish fault committed during
the day followed an orphan bov to his bed
with horsewhip, and then, when there was
no protection save the one thin little
night garment, broke upon his innocent
slumher with singing blows. And, upon
the evidence of the laundry girl, when that
little garment came to the wash, it was
ct,iryd >>;th iI,-~l. MS Is not nlpaSant
reading. 1t is far from being pleasant writ
ing.
A father TO the fatherless is God in his
holy habitationl" Think of this, o, mother,
whose household contains one of these chill
dren of the highest. Think of it as you
gather your little ones around the glowing
fire-side for song or story, and make room
for the stranger within your doors. When
YOU divide the boarded store of cakes or
apples, remember that his little milk.teeth
are as eager for sweets RS those of your own
darlings, and be there much or little, give
him a share. When your hand is laid ca
ressingly upon your own children's heads
let its light pressure also touch his young
brow. Who knows bat it may be there like
consecrating chrism, amounting him tc
noble deeds for God and humanity Dc
these things and do them now. Check moi
your kindly impulses until it is too late
until the thin hands are crossed within the
cotliu, and the sad eyes--hungry for moth
er's kiss--have gone to tell their pitifu
story to him who has said Suffer tha
children = or worse, until young soul shall
have grown hardened; and little one, of
Tended by you, shall have become curse and
clogging milestone upon the neck OF society
But to return to my story, Lett alone II
the great barn the sensitive child endured
the two-iold agony OF nervous terror anc
anticipated suffering, But he had not long
TO wait. Soon the heavy boots of old Beesor
were heard tramping across the cow-yarC
and into the barn. Robbie stole one furtiv'
glance as he entered, saw the hardset face
saw the long, black whip trailing from hi
hand and the last vestige of hope was gone
"Now, you young rascal, III pay you TO
your carelessness," cried the bitter master
as he caught sight of the little covering
form and Selling the trembling boy by tn
arm, he raised the whip like great stiffen
ia aarnant hiah In tha air