The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1891-03-05
A GOSPEL CHILD.
BY ROSE TERRY COOKE.


able bit of fun and cheer that she earned
her nickname. Her father died before
she could remember; her mother lay dy-
ing for years; poverty besct the house
Charity, with cold half.filled hands, kept
Clsrinda Ames and her baby alive; but
nothing daunted the laughing child she
grew up in IN atmosphere of cloud and,
but she drank In every scarce sunbeam.
az haven't hope In this wuld but my
baby!" said the emaciated woman to
Parson Pitcher, on one Of his profession
al visits of consolation.
"If twasn't for her I'd ha' died long
ago; she's turned OF six now, and it isn't
in natur' should live much longer, and
I've got 20 leave her to Aunt Melindy
there isn't another liyin' soul that's kin
to her and me-"
"Woll, well, my friend, try and be
thankful for that resource. The Lord is
good 20 the fatherlcss; little Hope will
hc prospcred no doubt. You must have
faith. Yes, yes; according to your faith
it shall be-
All this fell like hollow sounds on the
sick woman's ear; shc was worn and
anxious to the last degree; her faith had
failed her, for the flesh was exceedingly
weak she made no assent to the Parsons
official remarks; few slow tears trio killed.
out OF her eyes and sallow despair in.
vaGcd her tired face, bat Just then Hopes
clear laugh came in through the window,
and she smiled.
Parson Pitcher was az a loss what to
do. 50 he took UP his hat aud came and
said good bye.
"Bc'n 90 see Mis- Amcs, hcvc yc2'
asked Deacon Tucker, whom he met us
lac turned from the green yard where
Hope was building an oven Of stones and
mud, with shouts Of laughter every time
the cdiicc fell to the ground.
"llopc you found her spiritual state
satisiact'ry"
"Wcll, Deacon, she is in straits no
doubt; yes, in straits; she is in the
depths, the spirit may be willing. |
can't say but the flesh is weak, exceed
ing weak. do not think she is struck
with death, however, and she will be
more icconcled in time; the Lord doth
not give us dying grace to live by. /
trust she will be led through the valley
in peace" <-~
lNs0ni PITCHER was right. Almost four
years went by before Mrs. Ames did die
years when she seemed to live by pure
force Of will, and her chiefhelp was Hopes
unfailiny gnycty and sweetness.
"IIcr pa hadn't any wildly goods to
leave her, said tho anxious mother to
Mrs. Tucker, who had called 10 bring
her "some blue mango aud lemon jell. "
"No, Charley, hadn't cent, and this
house isn't much; its mine, but I've had
70 raise money ont but hc left Hope his
own sGnshincy nhtur' aud that's wuth
everything to her; she'll always see the
bright side. My! don't | remember
when he was fetched in all broke up after
that scailodin' Civ way; how he was
whitern writin' paper, but he looked
right up in my face and smiled as pleas
ant; he died u smilin', and Hope is
'xactly like him."
"Wcll, Mrs. Amcs, it's a proper good
thing that kind ofu disposition; ye know
what Scripturg say-'A merry heart doeth
good like q medicine; and It's so. III
she'd bccna peaked, pinin', whuin' child
like Mis- Larabce's Ju'ot, don't know
what you would have done
eyes, I've got deal TO be thankful
for; shell gctaloug a sight better with.
out me when size has that sort o. spirit.
I'm afraid she'll need it all to Meindy's. 81
But tears and grief overlook Hope one
day, rs those hunters of men oycrtake us
all sooner or later; sha cried herself i'll
when her mother left her forever, and
she knew that the dear tender face would
never greet her again.
Still her indomitable courage and
sweetness helped her, and when her
clothes were packed in the old hair
trunk, and all the furniture that would
sell sent to its various purchasers, when
the house was dcsoiate to her eyes, and
she was just about to pull herself up into
Deacon fuckers old wagon, she turned
10 say one more good bye TO Mrs.
Tucker, with as bright a smile on her
rosy, dimpling face rs had ever shonC
on her dear, lost mother.
"Kecp up your heart, dear" cackled
the kindly old woman. "Remember me
TO Melindy; l dassay you'll be real com
fort 10 her"
'I'II try" said Hope, with a gay little
laugh.
1t was a long journey that brought
this small maiden at last to Aunt Mel
indy, and her welcome was vagu,
enough; she had not been expected til
the next day, and she opened thu
kitchen door on most lugubriou.
twain. A melancholy woman sat at tn,
north window leaning her head on hel
rough, bony hand with an expression Of
distress aud disgust all over he
wrinkled face; beside her, on an up
turned butter-tub, sat an equally forlorI
child leaning against her mother, WHIT
took no notice of her, though the poo
little hand feebly grasped her dress a
If to call her attention, and the grea
sorrowful light eyes, under a neglected
fringe Of tan-colored hair, seemed I,
implore one look or word of kindness.
L 4 ~