The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-15


honest little boy that would not keep
what did not honestly belong to hima"
But the policeman, who had hoped to
find the purse and receive the reward
himself, muttered as he turned awsy:
"Hell take all you'll give him. ma'am.
These ragged little urchins are pack of
thieves, anyway"
"But this little boy is not" said the
elder lady; " and he shall be well paid for
his honesty, too. Where do you live, my
lad? she said with sweet smile.
SIN an attic in one of the houses in
Poverty Row, he answered rather hesita-
ingly.
"Have you always lived in Poverty
Row~
"OnIy since mamma and papa died.
Papa died first and then mamma soon fol-
lowed. After that we had to live in Pow
erty Row."
"Well, get into our carriage and show
us the way to your home"
Teddie quickly obeyed, chatting gaily
all the way, his face sglow with pleasure
at ride the like OF which he had never
had before.
They reached the street; and though
Teddy said that carriages did not drive
through Poverty Row, Mrs. Bells coach
man found way. They mounted the
narrow, dingy staircase, Mrs. Bell and
her daughter following Teddie's lead,
until they reached the small attic room,
where patient sister Madge was seated
by the one small window, earning live
lihood with the needle for herself, Ted
die and little Sadie. The story Of the
lost purse was told, And Teddie, with
timid look, said
sob, Madge, how I wanted to keep it,
and bring it home to you'll But, then
knew it must be wrong; and went right
back when thought of that"
"Do you know, Teddie, that you won
great victory when you made up your
mind not to keep what you felt certain
was not yours?" said Mrs. Bell, looking
at him with kindly eyes. "Great victo-
ries are not always won on the field of
battle"
The visitors remained long enough to
freely discuss the needs of the little
family, and left generous gift whan
they went away, with promise to return
in few days. Then Teddis's curly head
nestled close to his sisters arm, as he
whispered:
"Was that my victory, Madge, that
Mrs. Bell told me about?"
Eyes, Teddie. When you made up
your mind to do right, that was your vic
tory, and big victory it wac. For the
temptation was very strong to make
you do what was wrong. You fought
that battle with Gin in your heart, and
you won the victory nobly."
Saint you glad did, Madge?"
"Glad! I cannot tell you how glad I
am, Teddie." said his sister, holding him
in her loving arms for a moment, while
she pressed a loving kiss to his lips. II
hope you will win those victories over
sin and wrong all your life. God always
helps us to fight our battles if we ask
him. You see how he has answered our
morning prayer far better than we could
have done for ourselves. God will al
ways hear us il we trust him, no matter
where we are; and he will help us to win
our victories"
Mrs. Bell and her daughter lost no
time in interesting their friends and
neighbors in the little orphan flock. 1t
was not long after that visit before che
came again, and took them all to lovely.
sunny room, far from Poverty Row.
They gathered about the bright fire on
their first evening in their new home;
and the cosy room with it's many COM
forts seemed like paradise indeed. Ted
die crept close to Msdge with a wistful
look on his face.
"What is it, Teddie?" she asked.
81 was thinking" he said, show much
better it was that turned about and
took that purse back"
"That was your victory, Teddie. And
you see it is always best, even in this
worlds wisdom, to obey God and do what
your conscience tells you is right Stan
6n9d