The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-25
Ghilaren's Column.
Rain from Heaven.

eled half over the world. He had lived in
England, Ireland, and Scotland, France,
Germany and Spain; had been a mis-
slonary In India, and was the founder
OF home for poor children in the Yves
tern States of America
1t was during the early years of the
institution when he was travelling with
the view of making collections for this ex-
cellent object, that he found himself in
Yorkshire, England, addressing the con-
gregation of what is there called Dissen-
ter's Chapel, on the outskirts of large
town. The people who listened to him
were mostly poor workmen and work
women, but his account of the orphan
asylum, and of its little inmates, touched
their hearts. There was quite consid-
cradle collection made Even the small
est child seemed to have had half-penny
given it for the poor box, which was
passed around, and only one gave moth
ing, and that was pretty girl of twelve,
who had shed tears at the tale of pow
erty, and seemed particularly touched to
hear of a little lame child who had
evlnced disposition to do good to others
despite her infrmity.
This girls face had been so bright and
earnest that the old clergyman had no
hced 1T particularly, and now, as he
watched her, he saw the tears stealing
through her fingers. Soon she arose and
softly stole out of the church-for all
this happened after service was over and
the blessings uttered-and the clergyman
scarcely expected to see the little round,
sunburnt face again.
Ouauar that wow,
he had had his tea and was walking
slowly along little green lane near the
home of the friends to whom he was pay
ing visit, he saw small compact figure
IN pink calico, crowned with a round
straw hat exactly like boys, ducking
short courtesies to him from little dis
lance, and recognized the girl whom he
noticed at the chapel, and nodded re-as-
suringly to her. On this she advanced
and stood close beside him.
If 20 please, sir, 20 be t. gentleman
as spoke t us to-day, yander, she said,
softly, blushing and casting down her
eyes; And if yo' please, I'm fain t.
speak t yo'. 1 put naught int poor box
to-day, sir. 1t might be yo' noticed it,
sir, and thought did not care for t. poor
little children; but 1 did sir"
You are only child yourself my
dear" said the gentleman; "chiidren
are not expected to have money to give.
You have the heart to give it, and that
is a great thing; and when you are older
you will be able to do more as you
please"
+" Yes, sill" replied the child, and it's
not as father would grudge me the money
for the plate but he's been mortal bad
lately with fever, and has lust got
about. But, sir, this is what l wanted
to say to 20; heerd 20 tell, as you'd
bide ava year and COON back again
then and tell US about what you'd seen
and heard; and / wanted to ask 70 if |
mightn't give what bit of money l might
have? 1t couldn't be much to the poor
children, to the poor little things, when
20 come again. That was what l
wanted t say SIR
Indeed you may, lassie, said the old
man. "And you can pray for them if
you can do nothing else. I wish rich
old men and women had your kindly
heart, my girl
Then the child said softly:
Please, sir, I'd like to know when
20 come if CHANGED not to be at chap
Ell and any one would bring me word
My name is Maggie Maggie zolliver,
Sir
Then she dropped her little, bobbing
courtesy, and went away.
The clergyman left the place, and re-
manned away, as he said he would, a
year. When he retired he spent his
first Sabbath morning in the old chapel
and there, on the first bench, with a
proud, happy look in her eyes, sat
httle-girl, with round, brown face, and
smooth, cropped, black hair, who clutched
folded paper tight in her hand
For moment the old gentleman looked
at her without recognition. Then he re-
called Maggie zolliver, grown as only a
girl of twelve can grow in a year. The
plate was passed about, and she put few
pennies into it, but when the rest were
gone she fingered, and came softly up to
the reading desk.
Please, sir, she said, GIVE stopped
to 81 it to 20 fer fear 'twould be lost i
the plate. It's for the little poor chill
dren; and please might some OF be used
for the little lame girl 20 spoke of? RI
feeled as if I knowed her, when 20 told
us about her knittin' thestockin and all %