Year: 1862

A little pauper boy sat down on the curb
stone, aud tried to think His feet were
bare, red, and cold bnt never mind that.
The chill air penetrated hsragged garments,
but never mind that He wanted to think.
Who are these people passing him, looking
so warm and comfortable ? What did it
mean that they should be happy and cheer.
ful, be said None of them had such
heavy hearts that he was sure of ; He
looked up into the cold blue sky What
was it, and who live up there Somebody
had said once that God would take care of
him. Where was God ? Why didn't he
take care of him ? Oh if he could see God
for one little minute, or the angels that the
good folks told him of when his mother died
Did folks ever see God Did they ever
see angels ?


An organ grinder came near and took
his stand The melody he played lightened
he little boys heart somewhat but it
didn't warm him it didn't make him less
hungry. lie kept shivering in spite of the
music and he felt so all alone,s despairngl
Then the organ grinder passed away, he
never needed the little child sitting on the
curbstone, he had so much to think of. The
carriages passed by, and he carts and a
company of soldiers but it was all dumb
show TO him-he was trying TO think, with
such a dull pain at bis head. Presetly, three
or four coarse looking boys, gathered by
him, and winked and laughed at each 9th
er. In another moment, the youngest gave
thrust, aud over went the poor little
homeless child into the gutter. One
/ IL, ~ L l. l., 1
himself up, and looked after the boys, now
flying away with shouts of mirh. Oh !
how cruel it seemed in them-how cruel !
The little hungry boy walked slowly on, sob.
bing and shiverng to himself He didn't
know what be was walking for,
or why he was living. He felt out of place


"a poor forlorn spirit that had lost its way
"A bruised reed that any one might break
"a little heart so tender that look was
anguish, how much more blow


The little boy stood at last near the cor
ner of street. An apple.stand, at which
be gaZed with longing eyes, not far of, was
tended by cross-looking old man. There
were cakes on the stand, and the poor little
mouth of the homeless child watered as he
saw one boy after another deposit his pen,
ny, and take his cake. He had no penny,
and though there was hunger in his eyes,
the crosslooking old man never offered him
a morsel.


The tempter came. The old mans back
was truned A vile boy at his side-at
the side of the homeless child-nudged his
elbow. You take one, he whispered I'll
give you half.


The little child gazed at him steadily.
He saw something in the bleared eyes that
made him shrink something that set his
heart to heating.


tell you, hook one, whispered the boy;
fwon't tell, and Wen 60 away and eat it.


don't want to steal, said the homeless
child


oh you fool, muttered the tempter, and
smote him in the eyes, his heavy hand
dealing blow that sent the poor little
| child against the wall, his whole frame
quvered with anguish. The terrible blow
had almost blinded him for a moment. A
sob came up in his throat Oh wtat have
l done to he treated so? There never,
never was God, or he wonld not let him
suffer so, and that bacause be refused to
/ be wicked. | don't believe that ever a
mau in his deadest breavements suffered
more than that sad little child His heart
was literally swelling with grief, and though
he could not reason about it, he felt as if
there were great and sore injustice some
where.


He startad to cross tee street. A dark
binding pain still made his temples ring.


Back backl Good heavensl The child
is under his ieell Back! back!


Ohl mamma, It 10 our horses run over a
poor little boy Oh! mamma, mamma


Is be hurt much, coachman The wo.
mans face is pale as ashes. Yes. he is hurt
badly Ieke him right in; don't wait +;
carry him right 10 and up stairs. 1t was
your carelessnesS. The child shall be
attended TO-