The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-07-19
HOW JAKE FOUND HIM.


1t was Saturday morning, clear and
cold. The bells were ringing, and the
people were going into the churches IN
the upper part of the city, the same as
on Sunday. \ ragged, pale faced boy
lo,tered around the door of one of them
aud finally plGcked up courage to slide
into the porch and gradually to edge into
the door and slip unobserved into back
seat lie was little fellow, with au
burn hair and light blue eyes, and if he
had been washed and combed and we'll
clad, would have been pretty boy; bnt
he bore the marks of i'll usage and had
the forlorn all of that most pitiable OBJ
ject, a neglected child.
lie locked cautiously about him, and
when the organ began to sound seemed
utterly confounded. And no wonder,
for Little Jake hau never been inside a
church before in all his miserable life.
He was nobody's child, and lived down
by the river with an old man who
starved him to make him beg and beat
him to make hin steal. This morning
he had been driven forth without break
fist and forbidden, with curses, to re-
turn until he got some money. He was
f.verish and i'll and shvered in the pier
cling air, and with dull indifference had
taken his way aimlessly from the filthy
and poverty stricken quarter where lie
lived tow and the broad avenues and beau
tiful homes Of the prosperous world, and
in the same dull way had drifted into
the church.
Wreaths of evergreen and scarlet holly
and exquisite flowers made the place
beautiful. The organ pealed, the singers
sang Joyous strains, for it was Christmas
morning, the sladdest time of the yeal
to the happy, but nothing to Little Jake,
who had never heard of it, but bitter,
cold day when he lad no breakfast.
BY and by the minister rose and began
to talk. His voice was soft and pleasant,
and in Il simple way he told the story OF
the first Christmas Little Jake WAS al
cars He enlarged on the fact that
Christ, to whom a wonderful star guided
the wise men. was the richest and most
generous of beings, that one had but &c
ask to receive from him the choices,
treasures. SO simple and gracious was
his language, so hearty his assurance OF
welcome, that hope sprang up III the
heart of the child and he felt if he could
only get to Christ he woulu have plenty
10 eat and some money given him so he
should not be beaten when he returned
home.
The service was soon over. the people
began to 90 out of the church and Little
Jake went out with them. lie hung
around the door until every one was
gone, hoping to see the soft-voiced min
lister, but he went out by the vestry door
on the other side of the church. Little
Jake meant to ask him where Christ
lived. After shivering around Ions
time he was forced to give him up anC
make up his mind to ask some one else
He was a timid child and met with Sc
many rebutfs when he wen. out to beg
that he Shrank from approaching people
on any errand and he passed Il great
many persons as he wandered up anc
down the streets before he could summon
courage to make his inquiry. Finally
however. a pair of young @ill friends
came along, arm i'll arm. walking slow y
and deeply absorbed in confidential con
verSation. Little Jake approached them
DO YOU know Christi" he asked. tim
idly. They gave him no answer, bu'
with startled air FASTENED their steps
turning once or twice to 'o"k at the child
He sighed and wandered on. 1t was
very cold, and nearly every one walkeC
briskly. and Little Jake was too timid to
arrest their steps. An OIL man leanir
on a cane seemed a likely person to listel
to and answer his questions, and the
Child pluckcd up courage to ask hin
where Christ lived.
Speak louder, little fellow, he SAL,
putting his hand on his ear.
Little Jake repeated the question, ac'
centing the name An expression of re,
buke appeared on TIE aged face.
"Ynu're bad, little boy, IN atrared,
he said. "Don't you k:ow ii 5 wick'd
to swear. aud ON Christmas Day, too,
and he shook his head and went sorrow
fully away.
The short winter Afternoon was wear
ing to a close before he made another at
tempt lie turned the matter over in his
mind and concluded to vary his form OIL
address. \ stout German woman $ hon
est face cmboldened him to accost her.
please, ma am. be you acquainted
with Mr.. Christ ," said a plaintivc voice
at her side. She paused at once.
Christ, Christ" she said, with an eff
fort to remember. Would he be Ger
man.
Little Jake didn't knew.
~ hat would you of him, mein kino
frendt -
Giles asoin t. give me some money,
lid poor little Jake.
Il don't know him, Int give you one
penny" and she gave it and hasten,o
on.
A finely dressed Lady dropped hel
handkerchief, he picked it up and raj
after her. Plucking her cloak to arrest
her attention he held out the handker
chief.
Its yours, ma am" he said, simply
She felt in her mutf. why, 50 it is
I'm much obliged, little boy"
please" began little Jake, timidly
could you
''Of course I'd give you something il
had my portmonnaie, she said, impa
tiently, but haven't, and you'll have
to take the word for the deed - ard she