The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-04-20
Ghildreu's Column.
SANDY SCOTT.
&" Commit thy way unto the Lore

Alexander Scott was the name of my
hero, but he was always called Little
Sandy" Had you seen him without
shoes and stockings, in torn hat and
well-worn jacket, you might not have
considered him much of hero; but your
estimate of hero has reference to his
clothing. | think the heart is of more
Importance than the hat, and I do assure
you that Sandy had as kind heart as
was ever covered by a ragged jacket.
When tell you what he did, you may
recognize him as brave little hero in
spite of his poverty.
In room not much larger than your
mammals pantry, with only one window
IN it, and with but little furniture, lived
Sandy and his grandmother. Granny
Scott, so the eishbors called her, kept
an apple stand when she was well
enough. There were times when she
had rheumatism so badly that she could
not turn in her bed; at such times both
Sandy and Granny had to live on cold
crusts of bread; for when Granny could
not make twenty five cents day, where
should the food come from? Not from
Sandy, surely, for although he would
call, "Shine yer boots, sir? shine? shine?"
he was so small that gentlemen thought
he could not have strength to blacken
their boots, and so they would get larger
boys to do it, You see from this that
Sandy was a little boot black, and when
gentlemen did try him, he worbed so
hard and SO faithfully that he earned the
money as we'll as larger lads. That was
because Granny had always said to him,
Be faithful, sonny; whatever you do,
try to do it well, else you haven't earned
your money" {" For Christs sake, Ell,
Granny" Sandy would add. aye,
child, for Christ's sake or you're not his
child" Granny would reply.
1t was not because he was poor that
have called Sandy hero; there are lots
OF bad fellows in ragged Jackets who have
nothing of the hero in them. 1 must not
mislead you into thinking that am call
ing my little Sandy hero on that ac-
count. want to emphasize the fact and
impress it on your mind that it was be-
cause of the kind actions he tried faith
fully to perform, and the Christian life
he tried faithfully to lead 1 believe it
is quite possible for boy of eight years
old to be a Christian. God means you
to be Christian all your life not al
ways in the way grown people are, but
as far as you are able.
Now let us see what Sandy did to
make me call him hero.
We amt got no bread in the house
Granny" said the little fellow one morn
ing, standing beside her bed, for she was
too i'll with the rheumatism that day to
get up.
Don't go out and beg, Sandy I can t
bear to have you beg. What shall we
do" Old Granny sighed she felt very
bad. "Kneel down here beside me,
Sandy, and pray; then I'll think what
to do next.
Sandy kneeled down, and said
"Please, our Heavenly Father, help
Granny and me. Forgive our sins
make us good show Granny and me
how to get somethin to eat" Then he
repeated the Lords Prayer.
After that Granny prayed her pray
e-s were longer than Sandy's.
1t was no use to set the breakfast
table if there was nothing to put on it.
Sandy did not know what to do next
it was too early to 60 out with his black
ing brush; there was no one in the
street; besides, it was showing. He
stood looking sadly out of the window.
In the back yard he saw old Mrs. Tyson
trying to get her coal out of the coal-box
AT least I can help her." thought
Sandy SO he ran out into the yard He
filled her scuttle and carried it to her
room.
You're kind lad, Sandy Scott" she
said how Granny this morning?"
Poorly,' replied Sandy, blowing his
red fingers to get them warm; 81 wish
could earn bit for her this cold day 3"
" Do you think you could shovel snow,
Sandy? There's my little shovel; I'll
lend it if yer'd like
Sandy eagerly accepted the offer. He
put the shovel on his shoulder and
walked into the street, feeling like man
or rather, like giant.
Mr.. Rogers was taking down the shut
ters from his grocery windows, stamping
his feet, and looking very red IN the face
and cold.
May I, please, shovel the snow for
your timidly asked Sandy.
The grocer laughed at the little figure
before him with the shovel on his shout
der. You may try" he.replied
Sandy did try, and what he lacked in
strength he made up in perseverance, for
he managed to clear all the snow from
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