Year: 1862

N-N'~ NNNNNN -


home with his mother"


Alas in this world there was nc
mother to keep him.


The doctor came, said he was not dead
but would very likely die. There was
an hospital near. The poor thing had
better be sent there. But the good
woman would mol allow that. She would
care for him herself, she said. He had
been injured by one of her horses, and
felt it her duty to attend to him. Besides
it was likely the child had no mother
Such boy as he, with face SO sweet
and girlish, so pure and loveable. would
never be sent on the streets like that, If
he had a mother. Besides (and her tears
felD there was little mound not yet
green over just such 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 his
dim blue eyes, but he did not know him
self. His glance fell YEARLY on his
hands. There were white bands around
his wrists, with rufles on them. The
bed was so snowy white, too, and Grim.
son light fell over everything.


Dear God | am in heaven" muir
INJURED the child. Yes God will take
care OF me now


What visions OF lovliness glanced forth
from the shadow behind the bed The
rich curls fell around face of exquisite
beauty. The beaming eyes looked love
and gladness upon him.


"Oh, yes, there is an ANGEL" he said
softly. 81 am glad They won't knock
me over again they won't want me to
steal apples here and perhaps l shall
never die again. Now want to see my
mother"


My dear boy are you better this
morning" ?" asked low, soft voice.


He turned SLOW Iy, YEARLY.


SIS it mother ?" he murmured.


"Oh, yes, and there were quick sobs
and tears "yes, my little child, I will
be your mother, and you shall be my son.
VIII you love me dearly ?"


Yes, do love you, mother; is it
heaven Z"


" Heaven! no darling, it is earth; but
God has sent you here to our hearts, and
you shall be loved and cared for See.
here is little sister, and you will be very
happy with her. Kiss him, Nelly"


Her rosy lips touched his paler ones,
and a heavenly smile lighted up his face
The past was not forgotten but it was
gone. No more mouldy crusts, oathS,
harsh words and blows. No more beg
ging at basement doors, and looking half
famished to envy dog gnawing a bone
in the streets. No more fear of rude
children, who never knew where their
hearts lay no more sleeping On door
steps and listnins in terror to the drunken
quarrels of the vicious and depraved.


Yes the past was gone; and in the
rosey future were love, home, even God
and the angels. Certainly sweet spirits
had guarded that child, and guided him
out of seeming evil into positive good.
Surely henceforth he would put his hand
trustingly in theirs, and turn his face
heavenward. Yes, it was so to be. The
dear teachable child--a jewel picked
from the mire, brand snatched from the
yet to illumne the dark
paths of the world with holy, heavenly
like teaching. Like dove he has 10 60
forth over the waters, and find the olive
branch with which to garland his glad
lidings. Blessings then, on all who hold
out their arms to needy little children,
making their homes arks Of refuge -
Beautiful stars shall they have in their
crowns of rejoicing, for surely there is
no jewel brighter in the world, and per.
haps in all eternity, than the soul of a
little child.


SMALL LIEs.-H. w. Beecher, in
recent sermon on faithlessness in small
things said: Il do not know of any
buyer that pays such prices as the devil
pays when he buys men. Here is a man