Year: 1864




1t was mid.winter; and in the gloomy


house reigned suffering and want. Sis


ter Bess worked steadily to earn the deal
daily bread so many pray for and sc
many need. Jamie lay upon his bed
carving with feeble n d s the toys
which would have found far reader pur
chasers, could they have told the touch


ing story of the frail boy lying meekly
in the shadow of the solemn change


which daily drew more near.


Cheerful and patient always, poverty
and pain seemed to have no power tc
darken his bright spirit; for Gods bless
ed charity had gifted him with that in.
ward strength and peace it 30 often
brings to those who seem to human
eyes most heavily afflicted.


Secret tears fell sometimes on bis
pillow, and whispered prayers went up
but Bess never knew il, and like a ray
of sunshine, the boys tranquil presence
lit up ahat poor home and amid the
darkest hours of their adversely, the lit
tie rushlight of his childish faith never
wavered nor went out.


Below them lived the young man, no
stranger now, but true friend, whose
generous pity would not let them suffer
any want he could supply. Hunger and
cold were hard teachers, but be learned
their lessons bravely and though his
frame grew gaunt and his eye hollow,
yet, at heart, he felt a better, happier
man for the stern discipline that taught
him the beauty of self denial and the
blessedness of loving his neighbor better
than himself


The child's influence remained un-
changed, and when anxiety or disap-
pointment burdened him, the young man
sat at Jamie's bedside listening to the
boys unconscious teaching, and receiving
fresh hope and courage from the childish
words and the wan face, always cheerful
and serene.


With this example constantly before
him he struggled on, feeling that if the
world were cold and dark, he had within
him one true affection to warm and
brighten his hard life.


Give me JOY, Jamie Give me joy,
Bess the book sells well, and we shall
yet be rich and famous cries the young
author as he burst into the quiet room
one wintry night with snow fakes gilt
tering in his hair, and bis face aglow
with the keen air which had no chill in
it to him now.


Bess looked up to smile a welcome,
and Jamie tried to cry 'Hurrah ) but the
feeble voice faltered and failed, and he
could only wave his hand and cling fast
to bis friend, whispering, brokenly,--


I'm glad, oh, very glad; for now you
need not rob yourself for us. l know
you have, Walter; / have seen it in
your poor thin face and these !old clothes.
1t never would have been so but for Bess
and me-


Hush Jamie, and lie here upon my
arm and rest; for you are very tired
with your work,-I know by this hot
hand and shortened breath. Are you
easy nov? Then listen for I've brave
news TO tell you, and never say again !
do too mucn for you,-the cause of my
success


Il, Walter cried the boy; 'what do
you meant?


Looking down upon the wondering
face uplifted to his own, the young man
answered with deep feeling


six months ago came into this room
desperate and despairing man, weary
of life, because | knew not how to use it,
and eager TO quit the struggle because /
had not learned to conquer fortune by
energy and patience. You kept me,
Jamie, till the reckless mood was passed,
and by the beauty of your life showed
me what mine should be. Your courage
shamed my cowardice your faith re-
buked my tears; your lot made my own
seem bright again. /, man with youth,
health, and the world before me, was
about to fling away the life which you, a
helpless little child, made useful, good
and happy, by the power of your own
brave will. l felt how weak, how wick
ed had been, and was not ashamed to
learn of you the lesson you so uncon-
sciously were teaching. God bless you,
Jamie, for the work you did that day.


Did / do so muchY asked the boy
with innocent wonder; Il never knew it,
and always thought you bad grown hap
pier and kinder because l had learned to
love you more. I'm very glad if I did
anything for you, who do SO much for US.
Rut fell me- of the hook xou naror