The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-03

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earnest appeal to not only the older
ones, but to children as we'll, to do
all they could to send the gospel to
light the dark lives of the little ones
of India.
"Let us remember" said he, "that
God gave his best to us when he sent
Jesus to save us, and shall we not be
willing to sacrifice and give our best
to him and to his work? Shall we
be satisfied to give him only what we
don't need or care for ourselves?"
As the collection was being taken
up, my eyes wandered again to the
door, and l saw Tom standing there
holding My Chook tight against his
little heaving chest, while the great
tears stood in his eyes. AS the usher
who was taking the collection in that
part of the house passed the door.
Tom darted forward and dropped the
chicken in the collection box, on top
of the juggling coins. Astonishment
and indignation prevailed among
those who saw the deed, everyone
thinking it was only rude trick.
Meanwhile Tom had vanished down
the street.
I felt that an explanation must be
given, and as l was the only one who
knew the story and understood Toms
motive, I must do it. When it was
understood that it was no trick, but
that Tom-poor little heather that he
was himself-had given his all, the
very Joy of his life, there was hardly
dry eye in the house, and one old,
tight listed miser suggested that the
collection be taken again; not only
that, but when it was passed he threw
in his whole pocket-book. The
second collection amounted to over
hundred dollars while the first had
been barely twenty-five.
"But what shall we do with the
chicken? it cannot go to India" said
the minister.
l replied that would give dollar
for it; SO l took it and went home.
The next day as l was going down
the street whom should see but poor
little Tom behind hedge, crying as
if his heart would break.
"Tom," said, "are your sorry you
gave My-Chook to help send the
Gospel to the poor children of In
dia?"
'No," he sobbed, II amt sorry, but
I'm awful lonesome"
"Tom, My-Chook couldn't go to
India, but money can; so I gave a
dollar to go in My-Chook's place and
he Can stay here"
"And can l see him sometimes?" he
cried eagerly.
wanted to give the chicken back
to him, but l felt that it would be
better to let him feel the joy of sac
rificing to give; SO said:
eyes, you may come to see him
every day, and if you will weed in
my garden one hour every day for
two weeks, you may have My-Chook
back"
When l told him that, the child
was nearly wild with Joy and turned
two or three somersets as an appre-
citation of his delight.
'But," he said, suddenly SOLDERING
down, twill that be giving him?"
EYES," l answered, "you have al
ready given him, and you will earn
him back in that way. 1t will really
be giving more than the chicken is
worth, for it will be giving dollar"
"a whole dollarw said he slowly,
and his eyes fairly shone.
l can't say that the little arms and
back never got tired and Jagged over
those weeds in the garden, but look
at My-Chook always inspired him to
fresh courage, and I think he was
never sorry for what he had done, for
the day that he worked his last hour
at the weeds, I heard him say to him
self as he picked up his pet and
started off, "a whole dollar going to
help them poor little kids. and I've
got My-Chook back too-Jollyp-
AdUonce.