, 1886-03-16

guawing hunger; she took some of tina
brad aud potatoes and etc them groedily.
The dog, not accustomed to such guests,
looked at the children full OF astonish-
mcnt; he drew back n little, then sat
down and left them his dinner, Of which
he had eaten very little. At this moment
the farmer stepped into the yard; he
wished TO see whether the children had
really left, and then he snw this singular
scene. Tie dog vas noted for his fierce
ness md feared alike by old and young;
lie was Obliged to be constantly chained.
No n dared to come near him, except his
rnastor. Even the servant put the food
before him ia the most cautious mnnncr
In the FIRST moment the man thought Of
nothing but the fearful danger in which
the children were, and walking quickly
toward them, he exclaimed;
sDon't you see the dogi He VIII tear
yol to pieces,' But suddenly he stopped,
as II rooted TO the ground; the deg had got
up again and gone near the children, then
he look up ut his master and waggcd his
tail. II seemed ms If he wished 10 say,
Don't drive my guests awaylT
At that aighta great change camc over
the man; the spectacle before him acted
upon him Ike an electric shock, and feel
ings such as he had never had before
seemed to stir within him.
The children had arisen, terrified at sie
call Of the man, fearful Of
punishment for having eaten against his
command. They stood with downcast
eyes. At last, after several minutes
silence, the farmer asked;
Are you really so fearfully hungry that
you do mot even dospise the dogs foodf'
But without waiting for an answer, he
continued.
"Come In, then, You shall have
thing to eat, and as much as you Ike
And taking them by the hand, he led
them into the house, calling out to the
servant;
"Biddy, get some hot bread and milk,
and be quick, for these Children
The dog had shamed his master-tnc
brute taught the man. Touched by what
he had seen, the farmer was anxious to
make amends for what his conscience
showed hin to be a great sin. lie seated
the children at the table, sat down by
them, and kindly asked them their
names.
my name "a Lizzie said the eldest.
and my sister is called Mary
"Have your parents been dead longf7
Our father has been dead two years,
but u mother only died last week
Vt the thought Of their recent loss both
children began again to weep.
Don't cry, Children said the farmer,
kindly. God viii In one way or another
take care Of you. But tell me, now, where
do you come FROM
~From Loughrea, p replied the child.
"From Loughrea2' asked the man,
"from Loughrea2 That is stranger lie
began to suspect the truth, and asked
hesitatingly:
What is your fathers nameyF
uNnrffu Zu1liVun q rar1faT Tfvyfa
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Sullivan he
claimed, jumping up at the same time
and casting n piercing look at children,
thoroughly frightened them. His face
grew red-then tears came TO his eyes
nt last he sohbcd nloud. He took the
Youngest child in his arms, pressed her to
his heart and kissed her. The chile
struggled and called for help to her sister
she could not think what the man meant.
Then he put down the little one and dii
the same to Lizzie, who took it mors
quietly, as she had seen that the man
lad not hurt her sister. At last he be
come more composed; he dried his tears
and said.
"Do YOU know my name, childreng"
NO" replied Lizzie.
How happened It, Their, that you have
come TO mef' he asked. "Ias any. one
sent you to mes"
Nobody has sent us.n replied Lizzie.
I'VE were to 30 to Kilburn, where a
brother Of our father lives, and they say
he would gladly receive us. But | do not
believe IL, for our mother always said
that he was a hard-hearted man, who
does not care for his relations E
Your mother was quite right when she
said So said the farmer. "But what viii
YOU do il the hard-hearted man does not
receive your
Then we shall have to s%tarve,r an
swered Lizzie.
mo, no. exclaimed the man quietly;
-it shall never come to that-neyer. Dry
your tears. The merciful God has had
pity on your helplessness and has made
use OF a fierce brute to soften the heart Of
your uncle, and, therefore he win never
fOrsase you-neycrr'
Tho children looked at the man in utter
bewilderment; they did not understand
what he said-his works and behavior
were alike strange TO them. This he soon
perceived, for he added.
"You were going TO Kilburn TO Patrick
Sullivan; You are already there. l am
your uncle; and now that ! know that
YOU are tine children Of my brother Mar
tim, 1 make you welcome
The childrens tears quickly changed
into smiles, and the meal which Biddy had
just put on the tnble for them made them
forget their grief.
Patrick Sullivan had taken this farm
aear kilburn about q year before. A
Kind Providence had directed the chill
dren's steps to him; but il the dog had
not taught him alessop in kindness what
might after all. have become Of the poor
orphansi But He who is the fnther Of
thc iatherless would nssuredly not have
f1rslSen them-lIueh Sanders in New
York News.