Year: 1862

or he would not let him suffer so, and that be-
cause he refused to be wicked. l don't believe
that ever man in bis deadest bereayements
suffered more than that sad little child. His
heart was literally swelling with grief, and
though be could reason about it, he felt as If
there were great and sore injustice somewhere.
He started to cross the street. A dark,
binding pain still made bis poor temples ring
Back back Good heavens The child
is under bis feet Back back


"Oh mamma, it is our horses run over
poor little bog. Oh mamma, mamma I"


Is be hurt mucb coachman 7" The wo-
man's face is pale as ashes. :" Yes, he is hurt
badly Take him right 10 don't wait carry
him right in and up stair It was your care
lessness. The child shall! be attended to-"


There is no anguish now. Perhaps God saw
he had borne all be could, and SO took the
poor little broken heart there to heal. How
very white and quiet "Oh sweet face
a sweet sweet face !" murmured the woman,
bending over the boy and tears fell upon his
forehead but be did not feel them.


"Oh the poor little boy !" sobs Nelly, "the
poor little boy l wish he had kept on the
sidewalk l wish he had staid at home with
bis mother"


| Alas in this world there was no mother to
keep him.


The doctor came, said he was not dead. but
would very likely die. There was hospita!
near The poor thing had better be sent there
But the good woman would not allow that
She would care for him herself she said. He
had been injured by one of her horses, and she
felt it was her duty to attend to him. Besides
it was likely the child had no mother. Such
boy as he, with a face so sweet and glrllsh,
so pure and loveable would never be sent on
the streets like that, if be had another. Besides
| (and here her tears felD there was a little
mound not yet green over just such a child
No, no it was not in her heart to put the poor
wounded boy away. Let him stay, whether
he lived or died.


The weary, weary days passed on. One
morning, the little boy opened bis dim, blue
eyes, but be did not know himself. His glance
fell YEARLY on his hands. There were white
bands around his wrists with ruffles on them.
The bed was so snowy white, too, and Grim
son light fell over every thing.


Dear God am in heaven" murmured
the child Yes, God will AXE care of Eae
now"


What visions of loveness glanced forth
from the shadow behind the bed The rich
curls fell around a face of exquisite beauty
! The beaming eyes looked love and giadness
upon hin.


"Oh yes there is an angel p he said soft.
| ly. II am glad. They won't knock NE over
again they won't want me to steal apples
here aud perhaps shall never die again
Now, | want to See ny mother"
"My dear boy, are you better this morn
| ing ?" asked low soft voice.
He turned slowly, YEARLY.


lis il mother |" be marmured


"Oh, yes" and there quick sobs and tears !;
eyes my little child, I will be your mother,
and you shall be my son. Viii! you love me
dearly 2"


"Yes, do love you, mother; is it heaven?"
| Heaven no, darling it is earth bot God
sent you here to our hearts, and you shall be
loved and cared for. See, here is a little Sis
ter, and you will be very happy with her
| Kiss him, Nelly.


Her rosy lips touched his pale ones, and q
heavenly smile lighted up his fsce. The past
was not forgotten, bet it was gone. No more
! mopidy cruSts, oaths, harsh words, and blows.
No more begging at basement doors, and look
| ing half furnished to envy q dog gnawlng
| bone in the streets. No more fear of rude
chliQrpn VINO never knew WueF0 tuelT uearlS
; lay 10 more sleeping on door steps, and list
ening in terror to the drunken quarrelS OF the
vicious and depraVed


Yes the past was gone and in the rosy
future where love, home, even God and the
angels, Certainly sweet spirits had guarded
that child, and guided him oat of seeming evil
into positive good. Surely henceforth he would
put his haud trustingIy in theirs. and turn his
face heavenward. Yes, it was so to be. The
dear teachabe child-a jewel picked from the
mire, brand snatched from the bnrning-was
yet to ilumiae the dark paths of this world
with bis holy, heaven like teaching. Like
dove be was to 60 forth over the waters and
find the olive branch with which to garland
his glad tidings. Blessings then on all who
hold their arms out toward needy little cLil-
dren, making their homes arks of refuge =
Beautiful stars shall they have in their crowns
of rejoicing, for surely there is no jewel bright
er in all the world, and perhaps in all eternity,
than the soul of little child.


"aodge Night"