Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-04-13
Little Barefoot.

One evening last week, as | was sitting
with friend in one of my rooms, which
opened upon piazza freshly painted was
startled by ring of the bell.
"Why, who can that be stepping on that
fresh paint ?" said somewhat impatiently.
"Oh bare-footed beggar-girl," answered
my friend, who sat where she could Just get
a glimpse of the child. | did not leave her
standing on that fresh paint very long, as
sure you, for her bare, dirty feet left tracks
which are still seen but questioned her
for some little time. In answer to my ques-
ton what she wanted, she replied, "Old
clothes" Her face looked familiar TO me.
and / asked her if she was not the child of
woman-mentioning the name, of course
who used to come to me begging quite
frequently year ago. She answered, "yis,
ma'am."
My friend, hearing my question and the
child's answer, said to me- Z" / saw by the
paper that her father had been taken to
jail; ask her if it is So"
"Yis, ma'am' he's gone to JAIL" the child
answered to my next question. | might as
well say right here that the friend who was
with me that night is quite eccentric, and as
good-hearted as eccentric, which will explain
the following conveTation. The child's
mother died about year ago. Her death
proved no loss to her child, however, for she
was a drunkard of the lowest type, and ter
ribly depraved in other ways. Having heard
there were two little bows younger than this
little girl we asked, 6" How many children
are there of your"
"Three ma'am-two little byes."
"Who takes care of you alp"
al do, ma'am."
&. Dlaos yo,,r I;ttlo boort ,,o,, $500 .I:il ,,
said my friend. "Who stays with you?"
Nobody, ma'am..
"Why, you poor, miserable, little thingp
this from my odd friend with growing inter
est. DO you have enough to eat2"
"Yis, ma'am."
"What do you want most ?"
cold clothes, ma'am somethin' for the
byes an me-we ant got nothin', ma'am."
"Why, you poor little wretch, we must
hunt up something for you. Who does the
cooking for you :"
I" do, ma'am," answered the little girl.
"Why, you blessed little saint or sinner,
don't know which to call you," my friend
said energetically, and laughed; even the
child smiled. | suppose such outspoken
sympathy was something new to her.
This is indeed sad state of affairs three
little children left alone-no father, no
mother-in poverty and filth because of in
temperance. And yet how many mothers
OF daintily-nurtured children there are who
do not consider it their duty TO use their in
huence in favor of abolishing the trade in
the vile stuff Do they not consider that our
blessed Saviour included these uncaredfor,
miserable little ones in his loving invitation,
:" Suffer the little ones to come unto me, and
forbid them not Z" Is it not virtually "for-
bidding" them to come to hedge them about
SO with degrading influences that they can.
not oomo Rnt thssa th-ee littio onas arc
only three OF thousands Of little ones whom
Christ would love to gather to his shelter
ing arms. Aud good way to open the
doors for these children is to work untiringly
in the temperance cause. When the doors
of saloons are closed, and debased fathers
and mothers begin to show traces OF return
ing manhood and womanhood, then, with
the food, Clothes and comfort, which the
little ones will begin to receive, will come
more light on the path which leads to Sa-
viour's bosom.
All can there be any one so Indifferent as
to sit with folded hands who can work if
they choose? Can there be any intelligent
person who does not hear the loving COM
mand "Feed my lambs ?"
open the door for the children, endey gather them in
~ from the highways and hedges In from the places
some are so young and 80 helpless hungry and
Open the door for the children gather them into the fold
open the door for the children take the dear lambs by the
Point them to truth and to Jesus point them heavens
Pray you the Father to bless them pray you that grace may
be gwen
heaven" -1dsosafe' "