The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-07-05

Led by a Little Child.
A man came home from work, weary
and worn by the tolls of the day. He
was finding his life more difficult and
trying daily and no Efforts of his could
make it otherwise. The keen competi>
ton, the eager selfshness, the passion
for gain which were all around him,
touched him, and robbed him of much
OF the freshness of emotion, the human
kindness and sympathy which were
natural to him. He had tender heart
and mind that delighted in all beauti-
full objects and noble traits of character.
He would, if he might have chosen for
himself, have spent his hours amid the
sunshine and the flowers, the fields and
woods. He loved the seclusion of the
country and the stiffness of the forest.
and there were times when he wearied
for the sweet influences OF nature and
her many.voiced teachings. But his lot
was to work i'm the noise of machinery
and move where the crowd was always
great. High walls and windows, dust
and deformity, were round about him.
Men spoke in loud voices and uttered
unlevely things, and his heart often
ached because of the uncongenial scenes
amid which his life was passed. He
regretted it all the more because he
knew that these things were not having
good effect upon him. He had not the
strength to rise superior to the earth
compelling Influences that were exerted
upon him; he allowed himself to be
drawn down lower and ever lower by the
occurrences of his daily life. Yet be was
not happy. He was inieed far from
being satisfied and often admitted with
sigh that he was
a Further of from heaven
Than when he was boy"
There was, however, one source of
pleasure. pure and healthful, that never
Jailed him. His family consisted OF
several boys and one girl, who was the
youngest. This child was naturally
sweet and amiable. She had pretty
face and winning manners, and was
altogether the light and joy of the home.
Her father loved her most fondly, and
she, young AZ sbs was, seemed to have
more than q child's comprehension Of
his needs and troubles. Often, with
that wonderful child wisdom which il
now and then found in those little ones,
whose angels do always behold the
face of the Father" she said the very
words which his tried and tempted soul
needed. No preachers finished senten-
ces, no authors polished thought, had
power to move him like the profound yet
ehild-like utterances OF his own little
daughter. Aud perhaps one reason for
this was found in his faith that child'r
thoughts were more likely to be directed
OF God than were those of the soiled and
weary men and women of the world.
On this evening, when, tired and
almost hopeless, be came hon.e, his steps
were feeble and his strength exhausted.
He had been obliged to use harsh words
70 come of his fellow men, and to fight
for his rights AZ man win do, whenever
the need arises: but be had disliked
doing it, and felt considerably RULED by
the process.
The child noticed the lapguor which
oppressed him.
Papa is tired she said. "6hall
sang to you, papa r.
Yes, do, Birdie
Then / will sing the last piecs
mamma taught nae. II is almost to-
difficult Tor me- Mamma thinks it i
beyond nae; but ] have learnt it all, ana
can sing it Through"
The man leant back In the chair
expecting to hear some childish melody
and the gentle voice Of his daughter SAM
TO him these words: