Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-03-21
Taken Care or.


Taken Care or.
"Take care, darling don't fall ~
What sweet voice it was, and how full
Of love and tenderness
The boy, who noticed this, turned to look.
He saw a lady, accompanied by 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 the
curbstone, and how the lady watched that
no vehicle ran too near, and that no mud
spattered the dainty little dress
Rhein almost forgot about his beautiful
lilies, in looking and listening and wonder
ing until the little miss spied them, and
stopped to exclaim 40, see, mamma what
lovely pond.lilies f." And her eyes moved
Rheims pale face.
await, Bessie, and I'll buy some for
you," said the boy, taking out fis pocket
UOOh Will thVh PouoihS ~
draw the girl gently out of the way OF the
hurrying crowd.
"How every one cares for her thought
Rhein again and he forgot to call out
"Fresh water.llies only five cents bunch .
so that the boy had to ask him the price.
go Harry are they not beautiful Did
you pick them :" she asked, timidly, look
ing at Rhein.
AYES, MISS pick them fresh, nearly
every day." He glanced into the basket on
his arm, with fond look, as if he we're
proud of his work.
"They are beautiful, darling yet they
toll not, neither do they spin-God gives
them all their sweetness and beauty. Aud
il he cares for the lilies, how much more
does he care for each one Of us, my chill
dren |"
1t sounded strangely enough, in the midst
of all the confusion and noise Of the great
city-this lady's gentle voice, and hopeful,
Christian words 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 everybody 2" he asked, as the
lady gathered the sweet flowers under the
shade of her parasol.
ayes. 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 never die"
Then she smiled at herself, for preaching
in the street; and Rhein thought her smile
| was like sunbeam, as she passed away,
down the avenue, with her children and her
| flowers.
"How nice it must be to be cared for like
| that - he said IN himself, as her voice came
back to him. Keep in the shade, Bessie,
dear !" and he heard Harry say, IN buy
you basket for your lilies, if you'd like
it,"
He could not remember ever having any
one take care of him. 1t had always been
struggle by himself, for himself. He had
dim remembrance Of his mothers 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 darling" and
cared for him, as Bessie's mother cared for
her
q" Hey look out there p" "What's the
fellow standing there dreaming for u
rough Voices cried out suddenly; but they
called too late. The great wagon-pole had
struck Rhein as he was stepping from the
curbstone, and knocked him down. 1t was
| Just where the lady had said, "Take care,
darling; don't fall" 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 ?"
] He tried to ask for his lilies. and the lady
understood
"They were all trampled, guess, except
this bunch, which you held SO tightly in
your hand" And she held it up for him to
see.
He smiled. But what pain there was
in his head and how could he get up he
wondered.
"You must 60 to sleep again." the kind
voice said and some medicine was given
him.
ls--any-body-. csre-of me ?
he managed TO ask, with his feverish eyes
full of wonder.
"Yes, indeed, poor boy We are al
taking care of you, and hope TO have you
we'll again some day. But you must no
try TO talk any more now. Shut your eyes
and will say some beautiful verses to you
about your lilies and about one who care
for you great deal more than we do"
He heard her begin but it was many day
before he was able to learn and repeat ate
her these words:
"Consider the lilies of the field, how the,
grow they toll not, neither do they spin
and yet say unto you, that even Solomon
in all his glory was not arrayed like one o
these" "Therefore, take no thought, say
ing, What shall we eat or what shall w
drink or wherewithal shall we be clothed4
For your heavenly Father knoweth that y
have need of all these tbings."
"Then he will know when I'm hungr.
and tired, won't he 2" Rhein said, one day
when he was getting better, and had beel
studying over the pretty Illuminated tex
which kind hands had hung on the wal
where he could see it.
"Consider the lilies" that was all bu
it told the poor boy the whole glad, tru
story of the loving Father who makes tn
lilies to grow, and who cares so much NOR
for the least little one among his children
who sees us every moment and watche
over us, and plans our lives for US
"And he sends good people to take car
OF us, too, sometimes" Rhein would add
looking up gratefully at the kind faces
doctor and nurse.
ayes, dear child, the good God lets
help in his work and that makes our live
glad"
The boy never forgot this. He was
brave little worker always. As he loved
gather the lilies, so he loved all work tina
was given him to do, believing that it wa
sent by the Father who cared for him.
This is the lesson for all of us to Learn
Years afterwards, when Rheinhardt was
man, honored and happy, he sought ou
many lonely little one, and taught Of th
Father who takes care OF every one. An
his favorite motto always was, "Considt
the lilies "-New York Observer.