The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-15
Ghildren's Column.
Taken Care OF.
BY JENNIE HARRISON.

full of love and tenderness
The boy, who noticed this, turned to
look. He saw lady, accompanied by a
little girl, and boy older than himself
The lady-with the girls hand held fast
in her own-was carefully watching
every step, and guarding against danger.
The child's rosy face was full of content
and happiness. She had no fear-why
should She with such guidance and care
ever about her? She had only to be
glad, and to enjoy things.
How politely the boy helped her up
to the curb-stone and how the lady
watched that no vehicle ran near, and
that no mud spattered the dainty little
dress
Rhein almost forgot about his beauti-
full lilies, in looking and listening and
wondering; until the little miss spied
them, and stopped to exclaim "Oh see,
mamma what lovely pond-liliesl" And
her eyes moved quickly from the flowers
in the basket to Rheims pale face
"Wait Bessie, and I'll buy some for
you, said the boy, taking out his pocket
book, with manly air; and then paus-
ing to draw the girl gently out of the
way of the hurrying crowd
How every one cares for her T.
call out, FfeSh-aOater lilies only fee
cents a bunch !" so that the boy had to
ask him the price.
And the little girls face frightened
as she bent over the lovely, fragrant,
blossoms, until the poor fower-boy
thought he had never seen anything so
pretty.
"Oh, Harry are they not beautiful =?
Did yOu pick them?' she asked, timidly.
looking at Rhein.
Yes, miss; 1 pick them fresh, nearly
every day" He glanced into the basket
on his arm, with fond look, as if he
were proud of his work.
They are beautiful darling; yet they
toll not, neither do they spin-God gives
them all their sweetness and beauty.
And if he cares for the lilies, how much
more does he care for each one of as, my
childenl"
It sounded strangely enough in the
midst of all the confusion and noise Of
the great city-this ladys gentle voice,
and helpful, Christian word But she
meant to drop her little seed by the
way, not knowing what good might
spring from it.
Rhein raised his sad eyes to her face,
as she spoke, wondering if it could be
true. Was there really Some One who
made his beautiful lilies, and who cared
even more for" for eve7ybodyI" he
asked, as the lady gathered the sweet
flowers under the shade of her parasol.
Yes, my boy; just the same for each
one. You and | are more beautiful and
precious in his sight than these lovely
lilies; because we have souls that will
neUer die"
Then she smiled at herself, for preach
ing in the street; and Rhein thought her
smile was like sunbeam, as she passed
away, down the avenue, with her chill
dren and their flowers.
How nice it must be to be cared for,
like thatl' he said to himself, as her
voice came back to him" Keep in the
shade, Bessie, dear !" and he heard Har-
ry say, II buy you basket for your
lilies, if you'd like"
He could not remember ever having
any one take care of him. 1t had always
been struggle by himself, for himself.
He had a dim remembrance of his moth
er's face, looking at him, full of grief and
pity, as she died. And he thought, now,
if she had lived, she might have called
him "dorJlng,' and cared for him, as
Bessie's mother cared for her
a." Hey look out there ~ What's the
teIJoaO standing there dreaming for e.
rough voices cried out suddenly; but they
called too late. The great wagon-pole
had struck Rhein as he was stepping
from the curb-stone, and knocked him
down. 1t was just where the lady had
said, Take care darling; don't faUI'.
No one said that to him and he could
not have heard it if any one had. All
the world seemed to go out suddenly,
and great darkness swallowed him up !
After many hours, during which the
kind hearts that had received him into
the great hospital, felt that he would
die, Rhein opened his eyes feebly.
He thought he smelt his lilies but he
could not move to find them. A kind
face looked down into his, and voice
said: " Are you better p
He tried to ask for his lilies, and the
lady understood
They were all trampled, I guess, ex-
cept this bunch, which you held so
tightly in your hand" And she held
it up for him to see.
He smiled. But what a pain there