St. Landry democrat., 1889-03-30
LITTLE ROY'S SONG.

The summer sun had set, leaving gold
en- red richness filling the west. The
COWS came lowing out of the pasture, up
the long shady road, turned the corner and
went into the barn. Papa followed them
with the milk pals. Five-year old Roy
was on the piazza.
Such a pretty fellow, with his sweet
pink face and rosy lips, which were curled
with curious grave little smile Mamma
finished washing the supper dishes and
came to the door.
"Come, Roysie dear, its your bed time"
Mamma took him by the hand, but he
hung back like naughty little lamb I'M
willing to be led.
Don't want to go, Muvver," he said
pleadingly, but mamma answered ooh,
yes, dear Roy must mind mamma. The
calf has gone to bed; see the chickies run
ming to the old hen, they know it's bed
time. Old mother hen is taking them
under her wing, and if you don't hurry,
Roy, they will be asleep before you are"
''No they won't, Muvver," he cried,
scampering into the house, while Mrs.
Dalling followed with smiling face.
When he was VI t,essed, he knelt to say
his little pray. :. With both chubby
little paws folded ON mammals knee, he
piped:
Now, lay me down to sleep
Pray God-Amen."
ooh, Roy, that isn't right. If it isn't
worth while to ask Him right to keep you
safely, then do you think it is worth His
while t. take care of your
Roy had never thought of that, so hiding
his face he prayed again said from begin
ming to end all of the sweet little prayer
that children, yes, and grown people, have
said for so long q time, and | think will
always say, if for no better reason than
because they learned it at their mothers
knee. After Roy's prayer was over, man.
ma drew a chair to the window, taking
him in her lap she began to rock-to and
fro-waiting for the "Sand Man" to sprin-
kle dust in his eyes, then carry him off to
Sleeplan1 Roy's head was nestled, close
to mamrha's neck i; she held one little hand
while the other hand, in sleepy way ON
her lap. Then she sang:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee"
Roy's eyes opened.
81 like that song, Muvver."
's1 am glad you do, dearest, for it's a
lovely song" And again she sang:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Leu LILO Aiuo uyS5A Ill 1uet.
But before she could go further, little
gasp from Roy told her that he was asleep.
Papa, who came in just then, lifted him
into his little crib. There he slept, smil-
ing SO sweetly, that papa said "Hullo,
young man !"
Roy opened his eyes, drawing sleepily
'sHullo," and off he went into dreamland
again. The next morning he was up early,
gravely saying when papa lifted him into
his high-chair.
Pm an early worm this morning, and
early worms get the birds, don't they
papa?" After breakfast Roy took his lit
tie cart, loaded it with his rubber ball, a
tin horse and two dolls, then went across
the road to grandmas. Atnoon he had q
big story to tell
"Only fink, Muvver," he said, ''this
morning five tramps coined to Grandma's,
and she gave 'em all sumfn to eat.''
Eyes dear, and oh, Allan" turning to
Mr.. Dalling, two tramps came here, and
one muttered like any thing because gave
nothing but bread and butter" "Well
Clara, we shan't be troubled much longer,
| expect every day to hear that the tramp
law has passed.
Roy listened to all this and thought
ABOUT IL, tOo, WrIuk1luS HIS IOron0au all UP
as he puzzled over it. After dinner Mrs
Dalling told him to go out and play in the
front yard until nap time. After time
hearing singing noise in the sitting room
she went to the door-what did she see and
hear? A large camp chair stood in q niche
by the chimney. There, back of it was
Roy, singing:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me!
/ Let me hide myself behind the camp chair SO Il.
tramps can't get me.''
| Mamma ran in and took him in her arms
my poor little man, are you afraid OF
| the tramps?"
eyes, Muvver, some; SO Thought I'd
sing your song" "Well, Roy, dear come
and go 'sleepin's.' Mamma won't let the
tramps hurt you" Mamma had said. she
| would take care of him and that was
enongh-he ceald go to sleep. Afterward
mamma told Aunt Ellen about s.Roy's
song. -
| Eyes, Ellen" said she. 't''after said
| would take care of him, he wasn't afraid
any longer; and my prayer is that when
he is old enough to understand it all, he
will have the some sweet, trusting faith
| in God that he now has in his mother.
And we hope SO too, don't we, my dear
little young Folks Pm. 7. Tribune.