St. Landry democrat., 1881-11-05

stronger, and vehicles of all descrip.
tions passed each other in tiresome con-
fusion. they noticed poorly clad old
woman, on whose trembling arm rested
a large basket heavily laden. standing
on the corner, as if fearful of crossing
over. She looked anxiously at the
whirling carts, and deprecatingly at the
passers-by. No one seemed to heed
her as the well-dressed throng hurried
along.
"Come, Edith,' said the father,
"this is dangerous crossing; papa
will carry you across
He put Gus his arms, as he spoke low
ingly But the child only whispered:
:.Papa, l have rubbers; Pm not
afraid OF the mud. Papa, see the poor
old woman--she seems afraid of some
thing, see how she trembles. Couldn't
you help her, papa, while run ahead?"
For answer, the gentleman ap-
preached the old woman, saying, in q
low voice:
"This is tresome crossing, madam,
let me lead you across; give me the
basket, please
Could you have seen the rested,
thankful look on that weary old face,
as the woman found herself safe on the
other side, | think you would have
echoed her fervent cry: "God bless
that man, and the blessed child. toon'
OF course there were sneering smiles
on some counrenances which witnessed
the quiet act Of bel pfulness, but it mat
tered not as long as one knew that
around the great White Throne there
were smiles of joy because two of His
followers had not in seltiShness neg
lected doing favor to even the "least
of these"
Into very elegant palace car entered
a weary faced, poorly-dressed woman
with three little children. one babe in
arms. A look of JOY crept into her face
as she sat down in one of the luxurious
chairs. But it was quickly dispelled as
she was asked rudely to ''start her
boots.'
A smile of amusement was seen on
several faces as the frightened group
hurried out to enter one of the common
cars. Upon one young face, however,
there was look which shamed the
countenances of the others.
"Auntie,' said the boy to the lady
beside him, "rm going to carry my
basket of fruit and this box of sand
wiches to the poor woman in the next
car You are willing, of course
He spoke eagerly, but she answered:
Don't be foolish dear; you may need
them yourself, and perhaps the woman
is an impostor.'
mo, I'll not need them,' he an
swered, decidedly, but in a very low
tone. ''You know | had hearty
breakfast, and | don't need lunch.
The woman looks hungry. auntie, and
so tired, too, with those three little
babies clinging to her. I'll be back in
minute, auntie l know mother
wouldn't like it if [ didn't speak q kind
word to the 'least of these when meet
them
The worldly aunt brushed a tear from
her eye after the boy left her, and said,
audibly, "Just like his mother
About five minutes later, as lady
passed the mother and the three chill
dren, she saw pretty sight the fam
ily feasting as perhaps they never had
before The dainty sandwiches were
eagerly eaten. the tempting fruit basket
stood open.
The oldest child, with her mouth
filled with bread and butter, said:
''Was the pretty boy an angel, man.
map
NO" answered the mother, as a
grateful-look frightened her faded
eyes, mot now: but he will be on the
other side, bless his dear heart:n'
And we too said BLESS his hearth
S. s. Times.