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

WutT6 uOeS your hNoB 1OAhLiJ
81 haven't any mother. That is, any real
mother, you know"
Your real mother is" Here she began to
sing. oh, so sweet and loud, close to his ear
''And He shall reign forever and ever"
Tommy nodded his head and shut his eyes.
Then the tenor man at the bellows sang:
''And He shall reign forever and ever"
Then they both sang, and Tommy listened
still with his eyes closed.
The beautiful lady stopped and said, "How
long have you blown the organ, Tommy
"Mol'n a year."
'Do you IKE ltY'
'sNo Yes sometimes when he plays soft
and pretty"
Again the voice of the lady broke forth in
holy song, rising majestically and echoing
along the shadowy arches,-'
''And He shall reign forever and ever"
How the organ pealed, the dragons seemed
to roar, and the white feather in the beautiful
ladys hat waved in the breath that came out
of the black mouths
Nov, comes the next piece" said the tenor
man. ''Can you manage the solo with that
child in your armsi'
''Yes. Never fear"
Tommy thought he ought to get up, but the
ladys arm was around him fast and tight, and
before he could stir she began to sing
Come unto Me, all ye that labor and heavy
laden"
Tommy had never heard anything so beaut-
full. He opened his eyes and smiled, and the
lady smiled and sang
And He will give rest unto your souls"
Then he heard the organ again. "Oh, that
was beautiful u
"Did you like it, Tommy" Again she took
up the STRAIN
And He shall speak peace, peace unto your souls"
Tommy thought he was in heaven, or that
earth must somehow have changed into para
disc this glorious Christmas morn.
Come unto Me. all ye that labor and are heavy
The lady was singing differently now, in
voice as low as the mellowed notes of the
organ, and with exquisite tenderness.
"Bravo !" said the tenor man.
The lady smiled and said, 'I'm singing to
Tommy now. If the people hear too, it is all
right, but I'm only singing for Tommy"
The boys whole face lighted with pleasure,
and the tenor man laughed, and the beautiful
lady smiled and sang
And He shall speak peace peace unto your SOULS"
and then continued in long, glad strain that
seemed full of rejoicing.
Presently she stopped and Tommy said,
''That was good p Then he seemed to think
about something, and the beautiful lady APP
peared to know all about it, for she asked
"Would you like to sing, Tommy2"
"Yes'm. Only-only-I have to blow-and
-no-Pd rather"
"Rather what? ?"
'Td rather play"
''Play!" said the tenor man. "Play with tops
and things?"
''No, sir. Play the organ. l mean to-some
day."
'Look out again here's the next solo,
eyes, SAID the lady and then she sang
again
"And He shall feed His nocks like shepherd,
and carry the lambs in His arms"
When she sang that she brushed the boys
hair back wit, ler ieweled hand, and, draw
ing him close, sang
Sand gather the lambs within His arms"
and kissed him. Then the organ went on
alone.
$50 you'd like to play the organ, Tommy"
'Yes'm. would"
Greatly and trulyY
"Yes'm; really and truly" said he, trying to
"Be quiet, Tommy. Lie still. Icannot sing
If you"
Her voice mounted up in song again, grow
ing softer in measured cadences-
And He, shall speak peace. peace unto your
Peace Lower and more plaintive grew the
notes of the organ. They died away in silence.
Then followed the benediction-
And now may grace, mercy and peace be with
you"
There was rustle-more music-the people
were going out.
"Mercy and peace-forever," said the lady
SOFTLY. Tommy felt himself lifted and placed
upon his feet. An ungloved hand was placed
within his own. Down the stairs he passed. Out
into the frosty Christmas air he was led, to the
home of his new found friend. And there he
found both shelter and love-a foretaste of
the higher and happier home on high.
Years have passed. There is silver in the
! lady's hair. She no longer sits among the
| singers. The old organist is gone. In his
place sits another, who year by year takes up
the anthem of the centuries. The lady listens
to him with more than a Christmas joy and
thanksgiving in her heart She has been his
guardian and benefactor through his orphaned
childhood; and in his promising manhood-for
it is Tommy to whom she is listening she
finds the full reward for her Christlike charity
| to one of "His little ones"