The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-24

entry was one of us. Robert sat up in
bed, and for few moments, all his ILL
ness seemed to have departed. The
new boots were where he could look at
them constantly; the overcoat was also
close to his hand, and SO were all the
other articles of the Christmas gift.
The young visitors had seen all these
things before Robert saw them, but
they did not say so.
Oh, how unexpected had been such a
token of sympathy! Nothing was said
of the past; but the boys brought him
nuts and sweetmeats, which, however,
he must keep till he should be well and
they told him of a handred things which
he and they would do before the close
of winter.
But the well day never came. He was
very sick even then, and it was only the
pleasant excitement, and the feeling that
the old cause of sorrow had been all
swallowed UP in kindness, that made
him appear momentarilv better.
Only once after that saw him alive /;
and the picture of his little pale face up
on the pillow remains with me yet. His
mother had placed the new boots where
he could still see them, and the over
coat where he could touch it with his
hand. When entered, he rallied for a
moment, and seemed almost well.
Putting his arm about me as | leaned
over him, he said
81 have seen little Mamie. She was
here last night. 1 saw her just as she
used to be. The carbohydrates
didn't mean any harm, did they? only
they didn't think. They like me now,
and like them"
And then he said something more of
little Mamie, and something of getting
well; but presently he seemed exhaust
ed and partly lost. 1 cried softly to
myself, for could not help it.
The day following, we heard that he
was no more. All the school-children
were at the funeral. Master Tanner
was there, too. The undertaken opened
the little casket that held the dead, and
we all came softly and looked down up
on the white face.
Even the rudest of the boys wept
aloud.
All the past came back-the scene
with the overcoat in the entry, the jeers
at the big boots, the distress of the poor
boy as he flung himself upon the damp
sward--all these things were remem-
bered. And now, how pale and still he
was! No wonder that the school-boys
cried; no wonder that the masters face
was wet with tears.
1t was, as / have said, more than forty
years ago; but in an old battle-ground,
not far away, I could point out to my
readers a small white stone, with Rob-
ert's name and age, and by its side an
other stone, inscribed to "Little Mamie :"
They were placed there by Roberts
sailor brother, who, the same winter,
returned from long sea-voyage.
How often l look at these small me.
MORALS, and 60 back in spirit to the old
school-house and that bleak November
day, when the poor threadbare overcoat
was flung CONTEMPORARY from its nail,
and little Robert, in his ill-ftting boots,
went, with heart full of bitter distress,
to pick up and replace that which he
knew his mother had taken such care tc
brush and mend.
o dear little boy! how long the scene
has been over-the cruelty, the heart.
ache, the tears! But lesson was
learned at this winter term of the coun.
try school which reached away down
into the lives of ali the surviving actors
in that small drama of the past
Youths Companion.