The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-03

pretUy tmngs In her parlor, and eXerted
all her tact to draw him out. She was
pleased to hear him speak quite intel
ligently of his farm life, and showing him
her stereoscope, and treating him to
fruit, it was time to go. Joe remarked
that he had enjoyed himself wonderfully
and then Miss Reed lent him an interest
ing book, and after promising to come
again, Joe took his departure.
Miss Reed felt very tired when her
guest had gone, but to the boy the even
ing had been worth more than gold.
The thought that any one in the great
city cared anything about him was
great stimulant to his better nature.
The contact with a refined, educated
lady had given him a glimpse of diff
ferent life from that which he had
known. Henceforth, Miss Reed became
a synonym for all that was good and
wise in the eyes of Joe.
The Reed household began to be in
terested in Joe, and they fell into the
fashion of calling him "Hannah's boy"
Even Mrs. Simmons, the old lady in the
next house, became interested in him,
and when he passed her window, she
would nod at him and say, "There comes
Hannah's boy what a deal of pains
she would take for that lad well, well,
it may do him good" and then her
thoughts would wander to her own boy
far away, and she hoped somebody might
care for him.
One day Miss Reed met Joe coming
out of beer-shop, and as she came up,
he looked a little confused. "Why,
Joe, she said, do you need to drink
beer?" Joe said that he generally got
very thirsty by noon, and liked to take
one glass, and did not see any harm in
that. 81 don't know as there is, said
Miss Reed; "but, Joe, many who begin
by going to beer-house, end by taking
something stronger, and l would be glad
If you never went again" Joe looked
very grave as she passed on; but he told
her afterwards that he was not going
any more.
AS the time passed on, gradual
change was visible in the locksmith's
boy, Joes coat was neatly brushed; his
hair was smooth, and both language and
manner changed for the better. Potent
influences were at work, and there came
look of intelligence and resolution into
his face which it did one good to see.
Some time after this the locksmith had
to give up his shop, and Joe was with
out work; but his Sunday School teacher
succeeded in finding a situation for him
in the large house in which he himself
was employed, and Miss Reed was de-
lighted at this good fortune, for though
she saw Joe less frequently after this she
knew that he was going steadily on,
winning the good opinion of his employ
ers. Whenever she met Joe, the pleased
look in his face showed that she was still
a dearly valued friend.
Two years have slipped away; and
if you had been in DR.. G Is church
last Sunday, you would have seen a
pleasant sight. Six young men walked
into the church, and took their stand as
true servants of God. Among them
with gentlemanly bearing and reverent
face stood "Miss Hannah's boy" Could
that young Christian soldier be indeed
the same boy? Yes, for in her pew sat
Miss Reed, and as she looked at him,
sacred JOY shone in her face. The good
teacher was also there, and as he and
Miss Reed shook hands with Joseph
Steele after chnrch, there was light on
their faces akin to that which the angels
wear when soul is delivered from sin
Miss Hannah Reed is still teaching
and is often weary; but in the better
country her rest will be sweet, and to
her the Master will say "Inasmuch as
ye did it unto one of the least of these,
ye did it unto me-" Are there not
many in our great cities who, like Miss
Hannah Reed, might help one boy or
girl to better life?-Presbyterian.