The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-01-04
Children Column.
Rain from Heaven.


France, Germany and Spain, had been
missionary in India, and was the founder
of home for poor children in the West
tern States of America
1t was during the early years of the
institution, when he was travelling with
the view Of making collections for this
excellent object that he found himself in
Yorkshire, addressing congregation on
the outskirts of large town. The people
who listened to him were mostly poor
workmen and workwomen, but his &C
count of the orphan asylum and of it's
little inmates touched their hearts There
was a considerable collection made
Even the smallest child seemed to have
had a half-penny given it for the poor
box, which was passed around, and only
one who gave nothing, and that was a
pretty girl of twelve, who had shed tears
at the tale of poverty and seemed par
ticularly touched to hear of little lame
child who had evinced disposition to
do good to others despite her infrmity.
This girls face had been so bright and
earnest that the old clergyman had
noticed it particularly, and now, as he
watched her, hesaw tears stealing through
her fingers. Soon she arose and softly
stole out of the church-for all this hap
pened after service was over and the
blessing uttered-and the clergyman
scarcely expected to see the little round,
sun-burnt face again.
However, that very afternoon, when he
had had his tea and was walking slowly
along little green lane near the home
of the friends to whom he was paying a
visit, he saw small, compact figure in
pink calico, crowned with a round straw
hat exactly like a boys, ducking short
curtesies to him from little distance,
and he recognized the girl whom he no.
ticed at the chapel, and he nodded reas-
suringly to her On this she advanced
and stood close beside him.
eff 20 please, sir, 20 be t gentleman
as spoke t us to-day, yander," she said
softly, blushing and casting down her
eyes. "And if 20 please, I'm fain t.
speak t yo'. 1 put naught int poor-box
to-day, sir. 1t might be yo' noticed it,
sir, and thought I did not care for t
poor little children, but 1 did, sir.
"You are only child yourself, my
dear, said the gentleman " children are
not expected to have money to give. You
have the heart to give it, and this is a
great thing; and when you are older
you will be able to do more as you
please"
" Yes, sir, replied the child, and it's
not as father would grudge me the money
for the plate, but he's been mortal bad
lately with a fever, and has just got
about. But, sir, this is what wanted
to say to yo'. I heerd 20 tell, as you'd
bid ava a year and COON back again
then, and tell us what you'd seen and
heard, and | wanted to ask yo' if I
mightn't give what bit of money I might
have-it couldn't be much--to the poor
little children, to the poor little things,
when 20 come again? That is what I
wanted t. say, sir"
Indeed you may, lassie, said the old
man " and you can pray for them if you
can do nothing else. wish rich old
men and women had your kindly heart,
my girl
Then the child said softly Please,
sir, I'd like to know when 20 come, if I
CHANGED to not be at the chapel, and any
one would bring me word. My name is
Maggie-Maggie Zolliver, sir.
Then she dropped her little bobbing
courtesy and went away
The clergyman left the place and re-
manned away as he said he would,
year. When he returned he spent his
first Sabbath morning in the chapel, and
there, on the first bench, with a proud,
happy look in her eyes, sat little girl
with round, brown face and smooth,
cropped black hair, who clutched
folded paper tight in her hand.
For moment the old gentleman
looked at her without recognition. Then
he recalled Maggie Zolliver, grown as
only girl of twelve can grow in year.
The plate was passed about, and she put
a few pennies into it, but when the rest
were gone she fingered, and came softly
up to the reading desk.
Please, sir, she said, I've stopped
to 81 it to 20 for fear 'twould he lost in
the plate. 1t is for the little poor chill
dren and please might some of it be
used for the little lame girl 20 spoke Of?
I feeled as if I knowed her when you
told US about her knittin the stockin and
all.
Meanwhile the clergyman had opened
the paper and found within it a pound
Why, Maggie, this is great deal for
one little girl to give" said he Glow
did you get it? From some rich person,
/ auppoen