The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-07-09
The Orphan Children.

the same schools and recited in the same
classes. Katie never seemed pleased to
spell 4 word that Ralph missed because
she did not Ike to 60 above him" They
often played together down 10y the little
brook, whose purliug waters flowed not
far from the school house. Ralph was
promising Lad Of ten summers. He was
noble hearted and generous to a fault.
He and Katie We're early orphaned. Ralph
had home with worthy people, and was
kindly cared for and reiigiously instruct
ed. Katie was smart, attractive child,
two years younger than Ralph. An aunt
and uncle took the place of her parents,
and she Was looked after with loving care
When God takes the parents, He provides
for their orphans,
Straight through my heart this fact to-day
By truths own hand Is driven,
God never takes one thing away
But something else IS given.
Ralph and Katie We're studious and in
telligent beyond their Years. They were
just such pupils as teachers delight in.
The years came and went Just as years al
ways come and 60, and when Ralph was
twenty and Katie eighteen they We're
qualified TO teach in the common schools
Ralph chose to learn the carpenter trade,
Katie taught the village school. 1t was a
neat, quie- village. \ stranger could not
pass through it without being favorably
Impressed concerning its Inhabitants by
the neatly painted buildings and well kept
grounds, with an abundance OF beautiful
shade trees. On a gentle eminence few
steps from the village stood the little
clulch. For long time its bell had call
ed the church-going people from the vii
are and vicinity to worship within its
walls. The village pastor in his youthful
vigor began bis life work in the church.
After dboling with bis people long years
he showed signs of age; gray hair Lis
temples adorned.
A short distance from the church was
the .ittle city of the dead" There neat
ness and nlde. was the rule and not the
excel t,on. 1t was enclosed by beauti-
jul eedai ledge. The grounds were ii
perfect prder The nlanument> and lead
stones s,., carefully looked after, II
plainly showed that the dead were not
forgotten uy Tire living. on the branches
81 rbe I,adtiiul Trees the birds sang then
sweetest sings.
A short time after Katie began teao hing
II was evident that she had a talent fo1
lie work, She loved children, The sue
cess OF teacher depends on that not a
little. prdel was very large with her
She was not only interested in the village
school, but she delighted to work in the
sunday school and to tell the little ones
Of Him who said, ''sutfer little children,
and forbid them not. to come unto me; for
of Guch is the kingdom of heaven.
Ralph went to work with will and it
was not a long time before he was master
OF a good trade, a trade that was honored
nearly nineteen hundred years ago. 1t
was employment that just suited him. 1t
is uphill business for people to engage in
business that is distasteful to them
Ralph did not envy the sons of wealthy
parents, ior wealth seldom brings con
tentment. 1t is a grand thing to have
plenty Of money if it answers its design,
but it is often a curse instead of blessing.
When Ralph WAS twenty one he had
saved enough money to buy a nice little
home neal the village
Katie had taught term after term in the
village ion five years. She had Just closed
the spring tern and was looking forward
to the summer vacation. Soon after the
village school closed, one bright, beauti-
full Sunday morning, when the air was
fragrant with the blossoms of spring.
Ralph and Katie went to the house of
God together In infancy the pastor had
baptised them in the church, ami iii child
hood and youth they We're seated each Sun
day within its walls. 1t was not general
ly known that Ralph and Katie would be
united n marriage on that beautiful Sun
day, but when the pastor pronounced
them man and wife there was not much
surprise, for it was well known that they
loved each other in childhood and in
youth their love was strengthened.
After the services were concluded Mr..
and Mrs. Benson in company with their
foster parents, repaired to their home
where everything was in readiness for
them. Their hearts were filled with graft
tude to God for providing them kind and
loving friends to care for them in their
childhood and youth. The first evening
they passed at their home the family altar
was erected and their house was conse-
Grated to God. They were delighted with
<heir home, and Mrs Benson had saved
enough OF her earnings to furnish it.
The village people were anxious that Mrs.
Benson should continue her labors in the
schooi-room, and she decided to do SO.
There was one part of woman's rights
that she believed in: the right of women
to help their husbands to bear the bur
dens of life.
AS Mr.. Benson was skilled workman
he had plenty of business, and after the
labOTS of the daV We're ended he and MrS