The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-27
Tho Orphans.


sobbing voice, coming from sorrowful
looking little boy, as he bent over his sis.
ters bed.
"No; Benny; what's the matter9 Does
It hurt you yet where he whipped you3"
ayes, awfully; and Pm SO hungry. He
wouldn't give me any supper. l tell you
won't stand it; Pm going to run away"
"And leave me, Bcnny9 should die in
this old poor-house alone" and Susie raised
herself in the bed, and looked mournfully
out of the large window.
'Let's run away together! Wouldn't it
be nice IL it was summer2 Then we could
20 away of In the woods, where nobody
could find us, and pick berries and nuts to
eat and have a splendid time"
"Hush, Benny; talk low, or you will
wake up some OF the others. You know 1t
isn't summer, and we should freeze and
starve to death If we left hore now!'
''Id ratEer freeze to death than be treat
ed as am; and am about starved now,"
replied Benny, half.crying.
"I'll tell you, Benny. My teacher told
US last Sunday that everything belonged to
God;' and she told us once, If we prayed
'Don't you think, SUSIE" interrupted
blue sky, lighted by myriads of bright stars,
keeps all his good thugs, like nice cakes
and pies2'
''Oh. mol OF cour.u 49, don't; but think
he keeps his sA,ney In It; and perhaps if
we pray to hun very hard he will just drop
us some down. Then we could 40 just as
we wanted to, and have everything we
want. O Benny, let's knecl down and pray
this minutel"
four little hands, closed wero four little
God listened to their petition, and answered
1t in his own wise way.
After their prayer was said they crcpt
softly to tho window and looked anxiously
up at the great star In tho sky. Suddenly
whispered joyfully, "IIe did hear us lie
thing bright fall right ON that big house
over there"
II suppose he didn't drop 1t zackly
straight, or else the wind blew it away
sittlo," said Benny. GLOW shall We ever
get it2"
Gwen have to wait TIL morning, and
then get off some way aud tell tl.c folks that
live there all about it, and ask them to let
lis 60 up and get 1t. We must 20 to bed
now, though, so we can get up early; and
III tell you, Benny, maybe we won't ever
sleep ill this old peor-house again." sud
SUSIE as she kissed him good night.
Mr. Herman Rock, the owner of the Chg
stono house." was q soured, dcsolatc old
man. Once he had been different, when
his sweet wife aud child were alive, but
since their death lie had grown crlisly and
mlscrly. So people were rather afraid of
him, and let HIM mostly to himself and his
maiden sister, who kept house for HIM and
was his only friend and companion. On
the morning following tho beginning of this
story, as MIR. Rock and his sister Celia were
taking thcir morning meal IN their great
clean kitchen. there came timld knock mt
tho door, and Oh opening it who should
appear before them but little Susie and
Benny from the poor-housc The children
both seemed very much frightened at first,
but soon Susie summoned up courage and
related her story, about her lonely conlli-
tion-how they were abused, their prayer
and tho bright thing they saw fall on tho
house, and then asked permission to take
ladder and climb up TO get their treasure.
Sho told her story 30 simple and nnocently
that the two listeners faces first wore an
amused expression, which soon soflcncd
Into ono OF pity, and icy fcttcrs that had
long bound Celia Rocks heart soon melted
away In flood of tears as she took the lit
tlo ones in her arms and lavishcd on them
many kind words and fond caresscs.
''Give them some breakfast, then come
Into the sitting room." commanded Mr..
Ro2k in hCarse voice rs he left the room
Celia Rock knew by tho changed look
and excited appearance Of her brother that
something uncommon was about to occur;
but she was not prepared for what happen
cd when she came before him.
Cecilia Rock, said he, walking hurricdly
across the room, you and have Shut out
tho sunlight from our lives long enough;
we have locked up our talents long enough;
we have hid away our gold long enough
Let us now undo the shutters and let in the
sunlight; unfasten the rusty Eolts that bar
III our talents and improve them; dig up
our gold and make use of it, that wo may
be as stars III Gods hands to drop blessings
and comforts to his little children"
So Susie and Benny did find the gift God
sent them-not III Il bundle of gold on the
top of Mr. Rocks house, as they had cx-
pcctcd, but in pleasant home inside.
And when in after years they prayed for
blessings which seemed 30 bright, they
added lrlstingly the past
''answer, Father in thine own way.