Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-05-24
a frown, something half like amusement
half like yexation. Joe replied

nall ike VeXaJlOn, Joe replleu
"What will you do for me, little
Nell? what will you give me if do all
this for you p
No wonder Nell's face clouded with
those words; no wonder her heart beat
quick again, as she thought what had
she to give to Joe; not one among her
treasures would he care for; no wonder
again tears filled her eyes, as she whis-
pered:
81 have not thing to give you, Joe,
but l will love you, and Christ will be
glad-so glad"
And Joe,-just at first he laughed at
Nell's words,-what did she mean, that
child ? Did she think for such reason
he would give up his cup, give up the
most lucrative part Of all his trade. Yet
when he parted from Nell, minute
later he called back. just before the
gate closed:
"I'll think about it Nell perhaps
I'll come tomorrow, and do as you
want"
Then Joe had gone down the village
street, whistling gay tune; and Nell,
for long that night she lay with closed
eyes, but wide awake soul, praying for
Joe-for somehow Nell could not sleep.
Neither did Joe Handel. for, strive
though he did, to forget them, over and
over sounded in his heart Nell's words:
"If you try, know you can, for l
have asked Christ to help you
81 have asked Christ to help you"
Yes. surely those words, spoken by
child, whose life numbered scarce twelve
summers. kindled a star that all
through the ages of eternity will shine
in little Nell's crown of rejoicing.
Now you know why it was Nell watch
ed that llvelong day-sure, because she
trusted Christ, that Joe would come.
And he did come-come and said, in a
voice almost as gentle as Nell's own:
81 have come, Nell, to write my name
in your little book
And again Nell's mother held the
lamp, for twilight shadows made the
room dim, as young man and child bent
once more over the tiny book, where
with steady hand, Joe Handel wrote his
name and the words:
81 promise little Nell (ah. the star
it was no longer faint beam, but a
bright light that hour,) that l will try
to be good; and, please God, l promise
l will not drink or sell drop of liquor
again.
Then the little book was closed-the
light put out.
Afterward, sitting in the twilight,
Joe told, in broken words, the story of
the hours since he had parted from Nell
the story of his midnight struggle, of
the long day spent out in the woods,
alone with himself and God told in a
voice full of tears, that if ever, through
Christ's helping, forgiving love, he be-
came good man, it would be because
little Nell had cared enough about him
to want to be good.
Was there ever, think you, happier
child than Nell, as she stole her hand
into Joe's, saying: "No not because |
wanted you to be good, but because
Christ helped you"
Nell was tired when Joe left-so tired
and yet SO happy.
81 want to 60 to sleep, mother" she
said; II want to be still, for l think
then, may be. will hear them singing
up in heaven"
And Nell did 60 to sleep; and as
she slept she smiled. Did she, in very
truth, hear, even in her sleep, the song
the angels sang? Did she, in very
truth, behold the angels joy over the
sinner repentant? We cannot tell, fol
when the day dawned, Nell-little Nell
she "had another morn than ours.
Nell-little Nell-had gone home t.
wear forever her crown, where the stal
shines. York Observer.