The Worthington advance., 1882-03-02
H~W Charlie and Joe found Heaven.

mo, Joe, I'm real warm. m not Cfy.
ing cause I'm sold. Are We almost there
Joe?"
Just a little further, Charlie, then well
be where Heaven in. Try and keep warm q
ayes. Joe. It's never cold in Heaven is
il, Joe?"
mo, Charlie"
They trudged along through the streets
filed with the crowds Of we'll dressed peo-
pie. No one noticed the little fellows Of
they hurried by. No policeman CHANGED to
question tcem. No one asked whittier they
were bound.
One of them was a little four-year. old,
with blue eyes and faxen hair; the other
scarce two years older. Hand in hand they
walked along.
Joe, why didn't mamma wake up and
say good bye before the man carried her
away in that hox?"
II guess she wasn't asleep, Charlie. Are
you cold?"
Not very. Joe" he answered, with sob,
for the little feet and hands were aching
sadly.
Past the eayly lighted shops they has
tened on their way to heaven. At length
they entered the avenue lined with the
homes of the rich. Lights cleaned from
many q window, and the sound Of music
vas family heard through the closed doors.
Joe, I'm so cold; are We almost there?''
and the baby lips quivered in the faint
light.
"See, Charley. guess we have got to
heaven" Joe pointed to ray of light which
came through the door Of large mansion
across the street. A servant had left it
ajar, and the faint gleam Of light seemed to
the little ones ray from paradise. On the
marble steps the children toiled. Softly
pushing against the heavy door, which
yielded TO their touch, they entered. Yes,
it was heaven, at last.
Worn out with cold and hunger, Charley
sank upon a soft rug Joe wanted to find
mamma, but he would not leave Charley
lest he should lose him. "Come, Charley, I"
re said, lets 60 and see mamma"
''Yes, Joe; but Charley is so tired"
With difficulty the little fellow rose from
his soft bed and hand in hand they started.
The drawing room door was open. Within
were the millionaire. Mr.. Henry. and his
wife. seated before tho open fire. The
husband was reading the evening paper,
while the white haired matron sat lost in
reverie. The tears were trickling down her
cheeks, sho wing that her thoughts were not
joyous but sad. "Just seven years ago to-
night" she murmured. "Oh, if l only
knew she was we'll and happy. Seven years
and not word" The tears fell faster.
Neither saw the little figures coming to-
ward them.
"Please, are you God?"
The millionaire looked up hastily from
his paper at the sound of that childish
voice. Again the question.
Are you God?"
The paper fell from his fingers. who
are you, and how came you III my house?"
he exclaimed in wonder.
If you are God, may We see mamma?
They carried her away this afternoon and
the man said she had gone to heaven. so
we've come to see mamma aud papa, dear
God. Don't send US away"
The man rose quickly from his chair and
rang a bell. A servant entered.
John. who admitted these little beg
gars?"
"We're not beggars, said Joe. I'VE are
trying to find hsaven-Charley and /. The
door vas open Il guess some angel saw us
coming), and so we came right in. Don't
be angry with us. We only want to find
mamma"
The blue eyes looked imploringly into
the angry face above them. What did the
man see in those eyes to make him remem-
ber the daughter he had turned out Of
doors just seven years ago? He
asked in trembling voice, who are you,
boy?"
I'm Joe and this is Charley"
| Charley had been his little sons name,
| and this one had the same fAxen hair and
deep blue eyes that Charley had
'Please God, may We see mamma?" said
little Charley, laying his tiny hand on the
millionaire's.
lam not God, said the latter in won
derfullv softened voice; ''did You think
/ was? Come, now, tell me all about
Papa went to heaven last winter and
mamma went this afternoon. The other
man told US to 60 away from the room
| where We lived. He said We could no.
stay there any longer. So Charley and I
started out to find heaven and mamma. We
saw the light coming through the door ans
We thought it must be heaven. Mamma
said if We were good we should go to heaven
whe it is never cold nor dark. where We
shall never be hungry. but shall sing and
play with the little child Jesus. On, God
don't let q policeman take US away. W.
didn't mean to do anything naughty. Il
You are angry. We will go away. Charley il
so cold and tired, please let him stay few
minutes longer. He is only little boy.
Husband, let them stay to night" said
the white haired wife.
All, wonderful is the faith and purity o1
cniidhood! The touch OF that little hand,
the pleading look in the blue eyes, the tone
OF that voice, SO like bis little dead sons,
tho sweet trust in God, had undone the
self again. He sank down in the armchai,
and buried his face in his hands. Tears
triokled between his fingers. My God! my
God!" moaned the man. Seven years ago
to night drove her from me with a curse.
II only knew where she was, how gladly
would 20 to her. Oh, my child, my dar-
ling Kate, come home; come home to youl
old fathers heart and love-"
BY this time the wife had little Charley
olasped in her arms, and the tears were
falling fast upon the siiken curls. The lit
tie fellow, worn out with cold and hunger
fellasleep. What mattered it to the white
haired mother that his clothes were thin
and shabby? Her wealth of mother love, so
long restrained, had at last found an out
let.
The millionaire rose from Els chair and
walked to q curtained recess across the
room. With trembling hands he drew the
heavy curtain aud discIo ,ed a large portrait
hanging on the wall. It was the face of q
beautiful girl just entering womanhood.
The father gazed long and steadfast the
tears dimming his eyes. ''Oh! my X tie!
my child" he murmured. Joe had
watched his movements, and thinking per-
haps he had gone to find mamma, followed
him across the long parlor. He stood spell
bound before the picture. His mamma
had told him that the angels wore white
robes and crowns Of gold. This radiant
creature wore no golden own, but robe
Of spotless white. Who was it that smiled
SO lovingly down upon him from
the frame? Suddenly it dawned upon
him.
It was mamma in her angel dress. .Oh!'
mamma! mammal" cried the child. Come,
quick. Charley. I've found mamma.
With arms outstretched toward the portrait
the little fellow sank fainting to the
floor.
"Merciful God! can these be Kate's chill
dren? Quick, wife, some wine. He has
tainted
The wife sprang to her feet. Laying lit
tie Charley on q sofa near at hand, she hast
enel for the wine. With trembling hands
A. - ~