Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-01-26

"what do Won mean?" she asked,
family.
This good lady wishes to adopt
Harry" replied the matron; she will
give him nice home and everything
he wants yes, everything"
But II must go, too" faltered
Edith; "vou know mamma told me to
always take care of Harry, and must"
"Nonseuse, said the rich lady, i'm
patiently; II do not want you both. ]
know nice lady who wants little
girl. think she will take you, but 1
want Harry. will come for him ON
Wednesday, Mrs Burns"
"Oh, Mrs. Burns" cried Edith,
please, please let us stay until Uncle
John comes. Oh, l will work so hard
if you only will keep us. Wont-you
-please?" The little child buried her
face in her hands, sobbing bitterly.
Mrs. Burns turned doubtfully to the
rich lady, who rose and said: You
must attend to them, Mrs. Burns. She
will soon forget it. | dare say. l will
he here again Wednesday" And she
swept out of the house.
In vain did Edith plead after the
lady had gone, but, although Mrs.
Burns had tender spot in her heart,
she saw the advantage of letting Harry
go.
Wednes lay morning came, bright,
warm, sunshiny day. The children
were sitting on bench out under tho
apple-trees. "Oh. Harry, / cant let
you 90. l can't. l can't, | can't, sob
bed Edith, hugging the dear little boy,
who stood gazing at her with sorrow
full eyes.
81 wanth to sthay with you Edie,"
he said. Suddenly Edith jumped up.
You shall, Harry, darling, you shall, ="
she said; come, let's run away where
they won't fin us.
Harry did not fully understand
Edith's sorrow, but he felt that he
wanted to remain with his dear sister.
Quietly the chill lren stole ont of the
garden into the dusty road Then,
without turning to see if any one saw
them, ran as fas. al they could down
the hill. Almost at the foot they me-
a Jolly old man who asked them what
the matter was. Edith liked the locks
of the cd man, so she told him Il r
trouble, adding, IF dear Uncle John
would only come back from the sea
He would take care of us"
Come, it down under this tree, and
tell me about Unc'e john" said the
man. But Edith was afraid Mrs.
Burns would catch them and bring
them back to the almshouse.
NO. she won't" said the Jolly old
man: TIL take care of you now"
ooh, will you?- cried Edith; will
you really take care of us until Uncle
John comes. We pray Gol every
might to send him home, and We be-
| lisve he viii soon, don't YOU"
\ tear glistaned in the Jolly old
mans eye.
Look at me. children" lie said
don't You know me-"
Edith gaZed long and earnestly at
the lronZcd face with the gay hail
and whiskers and indy blue eyes.
Il almost b lieye YOU are Uncle
John she began, when suddenly the
old man clasped the children to his
| heart, SAYING:
- am Uncle John, You dear little
| things. Gcd told me you wanted me,
| 50 | have come to carr You away"
ooh! oh! are you truly Uncle John? ?"
cried the children, lut they did not
doubt it. Edith put both her aims
about the jolly old mans neck, and
cried for very happiness. Il am 50
glad, she sobbtd, II knew God would
send You home.
Uncle Johns voice was little husky
when he returned with the children t.
The almshouse and informed Mrs
Burns that he would now take care OF
| Edith and Harry.
On Wednes lay noon they drove away
with good old Uncle John, to live Will
him in his lovely home in the city.
"Lor' bless their purity faces, said
old Kate, wiping her eyes on the cor.
ner of her q, ron. ave shall miss them
| won't we, ma amp"
Mrs. Burns nodded her head as she
wiped stray tear from her eye, anC
entered the almshouse.
|