Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-08-22

that she would no longer nurse her
sorrow in selfish Loneliness. but go
about in the world and en.eaver to
do the duties still left to her.
IF thee tries to do right, thee'll
find there is some happiness left
yet,' said gentle Aunt Rachel
And though Helen did not quite
believe that she could ever be hap
py, she knew her wealth afforded
her large means of doing good, and
for that she would try to live.
Arfew months later the winter
snow had covered Eddie and his
father with robe of spotless white,
and it was near the happy Christ
mas-tide.
More than one humble home in
thegreat city had been frightened
by Helen's generous Christmas
gifts, and she began to take some
pleasure in these pleasant duties.
The day before Christmas she had
word of ar aged and bed ridden
relative across the river, on the
Jersey side, and she at once went
over to see her.
As she st, pped upon the ferry
boat to return, she found it very
crowded and with difficulty got a
seat next to a plain, neat country
woman who had with her a little
fellow of five or six years, and
Helen's heart thrilled as she looked
at the little face with its bright
blue eyes and golden hair, for it
bore quite a resemblance to the
dear face of her lost Eddie.
She could not help speaking to
the child, and trying to win it to
her, and presently she had him
upon her knee
what is your little boys Eame ?
she said, addressing the woman.
Eddie Hamilton said the stran-
ger, with a sigh, and Helen's heart
thrilled again at the familiar name.
But he's not my child, he's an
orphan continued the woman.
'Ahi' commented Helen, interest
ed at once.
NO ma'am, he's not mine. His
mother was a widow, and came to
Brookville, where live, a year
ago next March. She was very
poor, and she had little house
right next to us, and tried to make
her living with her needle. But
she made her death, ma'am, that's S
what she made-and we cooldn't
bear to see the little chap suffer,
and him not friend in the world
as we knowed of, so we took him
me and my John, and we've kept
him ever since.
DO you still intend to keep
him p asked Helen.
'We can't ma'am. We're poor
hard working folks, and we've gct
five children of our own. Johr
had a bad fall last week-he car
get about the house, but the doc
tors say he won't be able to worl
lick this winter. 1t don't stanc
to reason that we could keep al
extra one, and be just to the rest
does it, ma'am"
No, indeed returned Helen, po
litely.
!, That's what's taking nee to the
! city to-day, returned the woman
'We hated to do il, me and Johl
| did, awful bad, but We didn't SCI
=, no other way to do, so I'm takin!
9 him to the Orphan Asylum. D.
you think they'll be good to him
D ma'am?'
A thought which had struggles
in Helen's heart for the last fe,
minutes, found expression now.
e 1 don't know she said, eagerly
'but | do know some one VIII
: would! You say you are poor
am rich, and I am widowed an
q childless. I have lately lost m
husband and my little Eddie, an
!. | am alone and lonely. Give m
: your little, Eddie, and | will loy
: him and be good to him, and brin
him up as my own child 7
10 Are you in earnest, ma'am
"a asked the country woman.
Indeed | am ! He looks like m
lost Eddie-that is what made n
;, notice him-and it seems to me
:! if Heaven had sent him to me. E
~ is my Christmas present. Oh, {
let me have him
= i can't say no, mann. / am su
y he will have happy home wi
l. you, replied the woman.
60 with me and seep crit
n, Helen. Your John would approx
I am sure. Please tell me 20
he name.'
Il, Reynolds is nv name
de Mine is Livingstone. Now, NJ
id, Reynolds you shall go home Wi
nd me. 1t is not near the distance
,rs is out to the Orphan Asylum, a
hv you shall see what will do for i
n, tie Eddie. Oh, am SO happy
have him 2 And as Helen hugg
'n' the child to her silken bosom, s
II, did. indeed, feel that he was,
ao seme measure, her lost Eddie
e. stored asa ..