West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-01-09
LITTLE BENNIE.
4 Story i'm Rhyme Of Uncle Amos
and His Christmas Gifts.

An through the day the wind aud rain
Had driven Ger each street aud lane
Ot our big city. TIL at last
Tho twilight shadows gathered fast.
AMI twinklnv through the gloom about
the misty citv lights Shoue out:
som" from tho homes whore love and peace
would help discomfort quickly cease:
Some from the homes whore hand In hand
Grim poverty aud pain would stand;
Aud some, alas from hauutS where mon
Amid the crowd that iOsucd by,
With red feet ana stiHcd sigh,
went iennic moore. a blue eyed lad,
The only JOY his mother had
She was "a widow. DuY los day
Shc ~cWcd her health and strength away,
While her young son, with anxious heart
TO help her bravery tried his part,
And walked the busy city through,
Seeking ONE work To ilnd aud do.
Yet search was vain. Men said that no
Looked weak AN "Crraud- boy 90 To be;
Looked SICK and small; in fact they had
No iobs To give so Young IA lad.
And so with each discouraged night
lame tears To dim the blue cyos light
While Bonnie I'm his heart would say:
Please, Lord, do nclp mamma, | prayi"
All thrO this day of chilling rain
Tho boy had a. cd and tried again
odd Jobs 10 find. of any kind
or hard or light, ne wo Ild not mind.
But now, Still cmpty-handcd he
Went shivernR honeward. wcnrily,
Inc earnest question ON his tongue:
Maninu, Is nine years old too young
For work. Dear child" She answered
Arc not as srong-alas! It's true
~ mani other boys YOU meet
zach day upon the busy street
He pat ent II You re older grown,
Ihcu mother viii not toll alone "
20 htl' B"nuic'S heart grew sore.
lic pordCrcd his grave question DER,
IN SUD happy thought
ms quick, eager brain was caught.
koc did he let II go till he
Had studied it most thoroughly.
ne kncw-whut little hoy does not?-
OF that most fascinating spot
ttugd Country Every dear child knows
IL lovely place that grows
OItsidc of city walls and lies
Al free beneath the d slant skies.
Our Bonnie had no map 10 trace
y town. locality or place;
He only know that SDmelchore grew
iiigh hills, ana happy valleys, too.
10 only longcd, with all his heart
FROM city ways and woes to part;
10 20 where no! were not so many,
Anu Pc could earn an honest penny.
Al night he pondercd on his plan
TN morning came Dear little man,
ROW quick his tongue found leave to speak
non mothers IS was ON his check:
Mother dear mother must COL"
lie plead for i'm my hclrt know
IhHt some kind farmer Will employ
ana md some erTandS for your boy.
llol whoa the Chr stmU~ time shall come
/ u bring my earnings safely home;
an you and /, OH mother, dear,
WIN have hnprS Christmas cheer"
An, bcnuIc, no. she sadly said
But Benin q. rs shc shook nor hOtd,
Ton back upon his last resource.
Wv upoN AT mo mamma, or course,
! shill DE growing strong and well
IN the fresh air. You can not tell
How sure am that IL will be
Inc very best OF thin for me"
Ills mother guzcd upon him there.
The little face was far too fair
Tor perfect health, and well she know
The shadow in those eyes so blue
an 4 he God own plan thought she,
Mhcl, tho IL take my chill from me
et oicts health ana strength To hm?
l,arc re use. Her eyes grew dim.
enc laid lie. hand upon his held.
God bless you, Bonnie, gO!' she said.