The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-12-26


q WeIgnG.
4 There The choir had stopped. Now there
will be little rest while the minister prays.
The tired boy sinks down upon the floor his
, head resting ON one of the dragons ears upon
the side of the huge organ and shuts his eyes,
There is no seat, not even stool, and he must
sit on the floor. He does not mean to sleep,
only to rest-rest that his poor little weary
body longs for. The organist will knock on
the wall when he is to begin again.
1t was very long prayer, and the tired boy
after trying in vain to keep the heavy lids from
closing over the weary eyes, fell fast asleep in
the great dark organ loft.
Suddenly there was little knock on the
wall Tommy's head sank lower, and his poor
little blistered hands fell listlessly on the floor
Another and louder knock. Tommy paid
no heed and the knocking increased. Then it
was quiet for a moment, and a mans step was
heard on the creaking floor! Then Tommy re-
ceiv,9o cruel blow on the head, and woke up
to find the organist standing over him ready
to strike again.
Hf crept out of reach Of the threatening
ham apd tried to get up, but his little legs re-
fusdf to hold him.
!. 81 he hold of the lever and blow for your
! life,l r III"
hint
Tommy looked up and saw the soprano singer
beside the organist. Tommy gazed upon the
that somehow one of the angels had stepped
dow from the painted windows.
Rhame p said she, ito strike the boy.
Poot little fellow, he was tired, and no won
der. Think how you have used the organ last
night and to-day"
''But the voluntary 1t must go on. There
y ffbs prayer is over. What shall l do2 Get
- Hurry It's no time now to rest"
tommy got up and took hold of the bellows
] h. Idle to keep from falling down. The organ
! ;aslunk away, but the beautiful lady remained
4 Emmy looked timidly up and said:
-''l was tired, ma am, and it's Christmas day,
and"
Here he began to drag up the heavy handle,
nd the music broke out i'll fierce roar-and
en died away with groan and a squeak
I'D that was all Tommy knew about it.
The next thing he knew he felt himself held
something soft and warm. He opened his
les, and the face of the beautiful lady was
ose to his. She was holding him in her arms
70 felt the soft silk next her face. He was so
red, and it was 30 nice and warm that he shut
s eyes. What was it? Was he dead and
bne to heaven? Was this one of the angels
is mother spoke about when she went away
erhaps it was his real mother.
He opened his eyes. No. There was the
( tgan. The great pipes were booming beside
i'm, and oh, how queer The tenor man, with
is white gloves was blowing the organ.
'Do you feel better, my child2" whispered
ne lady.
'Yes'm."
"And were you sick p
s'No'm l was so tired There was q
learsal last night, and it's Christmas, and they
( ways have lots Of music, and fell asleep.
,as very tired"
'Poor child Don't they give you seat ?"
''Nom. always stands, and"
'Look out" said the grand gentleman at
the bellows, s'your part comes next"
eyes, see. Never mind; l will sit and sing
here. They will never know the difference.
Say, little boy, do you feel comfortable !"
Tommy smiled and said "Yes, it's very
pleasant. But you will be tired"