The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-09-11
SELECTED.
In His Name"

The school in the suburban town of
Roseland has assembled for it's afternoon
session. The day was perfect, "too per-
feet TO spend In school-room, ;" thought
tired Miss Richards; and her pupils, by
that subtle reasoning which all pupils
possess, seemed to read her very thoughts
and heartily to agree with her. spirit
OF restlessness invaded the usually quiet
room and she longed for some new plan
to gain the attention and interest Of her
scholars. Suddenly hand was raised
in the back of the room.
what is it, Harry asked Miss Rich
ards. 80 Miss Richards there's poor
old man up by our house; he hasn't any
body to take care of him and he's dread
full poor
Like d flash the thought came to her;
Here Is work and interest for them. So
she said tell me all about him Hsrry."
Giles over eighty years old, and hasn',
any friends anywhere. We send him up
his Sunday dinner. and l go to see him
real often. He says that he likes the
boys and girls. But Miss Richards, it's
just dreadful! Why, he hasn't even a
clock, and his bed is only boards with
some old quilts on It," and Harry sat
down with the eyes of all the school fas-
tened upon him.
"What shall we do childreni" asked
Miss Richards.
please, can't we send him something's
said little girl in the front seat. Then
the hands came up.
I'm send some honey said Alice.
"1'll bring sandwiches" followed
Grace
81 have a pretty card, that I'll give
him. said Charlie
1--WE can bring some jelly and crackers
and cheese, said May; and her little sis
ter Flora exclaimed
:! ,. t;e!sas &c hs lii. b;.s; 81 is,. .s
all cracked"
| There was no more trouble from the
Fairy Restlessness that afternoon. All
seemed eager to have perfect recitations,
70 that nothing should prevent their
going home early to prepare their gifts.
The next morning when Miss Rich
ards arrived at the schoolhouse she found
a crowd of happy brightfaced boys and
girls gathered around her desk, upon
which stood the precious basket. How
they enjoyed packing 1t! Annie Hll!'s
jar OF grape preserve nestled close by
May Pierce's jar of tomatoes Then
there was loaf of bread, wrapped in a
snowy napkin, eggs, cold meat, two cakes
of honey, cookies, apples, bag Of
creamy popcorn, and on the top the daiu-
ty card, tied with bright ribbon,
1t was a very happy procession that
left the schoolhouse at half-past eleven.
Miss Richard told them before starting
that they might sing to of their favorite
songs and repeat the Twenty-third
Psalm TO the poor man.
Lets sing ! am so glad that Jesus
loves me-" said Bessie Ward.
"And Il think when | read that sweet
story of old, " exclaimed May, Ethel and
Flora.
With eager steps they fastened to his
house, small cottage, not more than a
shanty, consisting OF two rooms. When
they reached it they saw no one around,
and they began to think of turning away,
when, down the street they spied bent
form, painfully toiling along, carrying
in one hand heavy pail, and leaning
upon stick held in the other.
"Run, Harry, and take the pail for
him." said thoughtful May.
The poor old man looked in wonder at
the little group at his door
"We've brought you some nice things,
said Bessie. who was spokesman, and
we're going to do it every Wednesday. "
He seemed fairly dazed There was
no food in the house. SO that he had start
ed out for some milk which a neighbor
had promised him.
Come In, children, he faltered, and
they followed him into the house, rath-
er awed by the surroundings.
No carpet on the floor but one chair
in the room broken-dowu stove In one
corner, and the hard bed in the other,
With trembling hands he took the par
cells from the basket, the children look.
ing on in silence. When he handed 1t back
to them, there were tears IN his eyes, and
hey all knew that his simple, Thank
| YOU, children, for y, ur Kindness to an
Did man. came from his heart.
There was something very touching In
the scene, and as their voices filled the
cheerless room with the sweet strains
the tears rolled down his cheeks Though
[ forget Him and wander away Yes he
had forgotten Him, ani very far away
had he wandered but kindly lie fol
lowed wherever / stray The silence
that followed the hymn WAS broken ~
the sweet young Notes.-The Lord Is
my Shepherd, | shall not want" No
more want Could II be true7 Full well
he knew what want meant, but the words
came He restoreth my soul
One more song, and the children flock
ed back to their school. anxious 10 tell
their teacher all about II and a. she list
ened to their eager words she thought
surely, II is more blessed TO give than
TO receive; to look out, and not IN, and
to lend q hand. Mary Louise liiadsor,
| in The Adrdnce.