Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-03-02
How Charlie and Joe Found Heaven.

Just little further, Charlie, then we'll
be where Heaven is. Try and keep warm a
little longer"
eyes, Joe. It's never cold in Heaven is
it, Joe?"
No, Charlie"
They trudged along through the streets
filed with the crowds Of we'll dressed peo-
pie. No one noticed the little fellows as
they hurried by. No policeman CHANGED to
question to en-. No one asked whittier they
were bound.
One of them was little four-year. old,
with blue eyes and fiaxen 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 box?"
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 gayly 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 window, and the sound of music
was 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 a ray Of light which
came through the door of a large mansion
across the street. A servant had left it
ajar, and the faint CLEAN of light seemed to
the little ones q 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"
| Re said, lets go 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 the open fire. The
husband was reading the evening paper,
while the white haired matron sat lost III
| reverie The tears were trickling down her
| cheeks, showing that her thoughts were not
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 in 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 and papa, dear
God. Don't send US away"
The man rose quickly from his chair and
rang bell. Aservant entered.
John. who admitted these little beg
gars?"
Were not beggars, said Joe. I'VE ara
trying to find heaven-Charley and l. The
door was 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-
Der 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 fiixen hair and
deep blue eyes that Charley had.
''Please God, may we see mammal" said
little Charley, laying his tiny hand on the
mil'ionaire's.
II nm not God," said the latter in won
derfullv softened voice; "did you thinl
was? Come, now, tell me all abou
it."
Papa went to heaven last winter and
mamma went this afternoon. The othe
man told us to go away from the room
where we lived. He said We could no
stay there any longer. So Charley and
started out to find heaven and mamma. W
saw the light coming through the door an
we thought it must be heaven. Mamm
said if we were good we should go to heaven
whe it is never cold nor dark, where "
shall never be hungry. but shall sing an
play with the little child Jesus. Oh, God
don't let policeman take us away. w
didn't mean to do anything naughty. ]
you are angry, we will 60 away. Charley
SO cold and tired, please let him stay fe'
minutes longer. He is only little boy.
Husband, let them stay to night" sal
, the white haired wife.
, All, wonderful is the faith and purity {
| cnlIdhoodi The touch of that little hand
the pleading look in the blue eyes, the ton
Of that voice, so like bis little dead sons
the sweet trust in God, had undone tn
work of years. The millionaire was him
, self again. He sank down in the armchai
and buried his face in his hands. Tear
triokled between his fingers. My God! m
God!" moaned the man. Seven years ag
to night drove her from me with a curse
| " -,ox 81 l1r <.l,
would 60 to her. Oh, my child, my da1
ling Kate, come home; come home to YOU
. old fathers heart and love-"
: By this time the wife had little Charlie
clasped in her arms, and the tears wei
| falling fast upon the siIken curls. The lii
t tie fellow, worn out with cold and hunger
ellasleep. What mattered it to the white
haired mother that his clothes were thi
and shabby? Her wealth of mother love, S
3 long restrained, had at last found an out
let.
' The millionaire rose from his chair an
walked to curtained recess across tt
, room. With trembling hands he drew th
, heavy curtain and disclosed large portal
4 hanging on the wall. It was the face of
t beautiful girl just entering womanhoot
= the father gazed long and steadfast. tn
9 tears dimming his eyes. ooh! my K .te
my child" he murmured. Joe ha
{ watched his movements, and thinking pc
haps he had gone to find mamma, followe
him across the long parlor. He stood spell
bound before the picture. His MANN
had told him that the angels wore viii
robes and crowns Of gold. This radial
. . creature wore no golden e own, but q roi
!, of spotless white. Who was it that smile
y :. so lovingly down upon him fro
VI the frame2 Suddenlv IL dawned mt
= him.
It was mamma in her angel dress. oh
:. mamma! mammal" cried the child. "Com
> quick, Charley. I've found mamma
= With arms outstretched toward the portra
y the little fellow sank fainting to Il
floor.
b "Merciful Godl can these be Rates chi
t. dren? Quick, wife, some wine. He b
70 tainted
1t The wife sprang to her feet. Laying i
4 | flo Ghar1av IN q eOfa near at hand she has