Year: 1864




dogs life l do lead, anyhow, what witt
seedlings and hard work, and not hal
enough to eat at that. wish I'd nevel
been born. | do


OF all the beautiful places ON this tal
famed street, there is not one more a.
tractive that Reservoir Square, so l vii
tell my little country friends something
about il.


1t is small plot of ground, two blocks
l think, the Reservoir Itself covering
about half of il. This is massive stone
structure resembling q fort somewhat
with great iron gates on either side, open
ing into vestibule from which you car
ascend by stairs to the top, and enjoy {
grand promenade, and prospect not K
be surpassed. On one side, where the
Crystal Palace stood, is beautiful park
and on the opposite one, towards Fifth
avenue, is a narrow space. raised little
from the street, filed with flowers of ey
cry hue; roses and honeysuckles clint
the hinge stone walls and fill the air with
fragrance; while on either side the en-
trance, like gems in the green sward, is 6
pretty fountain, where golden and silye;
fishes sport in the Summer sunshine. II
is all safely guarded by strong iron
fence, the stone foundation of which jut;
out just far enough TO form convenient
seat, favorite resort for nurses and chill
dren it was here Joe seated himself.


A gay throng of carriages with liveried
coachman and gaily dressed ladies and
children were passing up and down from
Central Park, and Joe continued his so
liloquy:


Just see there now, it's mighty easy
being good when fellow lives ike that
see that chap driving his pony carriage as
big as any body, and there's another one
not a bit bigger than me IN the cutesi
little basket carriage and a pretty little
girl with him, that 'spose is his sister
They haint nothin' TO do but ride around,
with lots of money in their pockets; and
here sets poor ragged bsrefooted chsp
without the first red cent. Now If that s
right can't see it, said Joe shaking his
head slowly. The teacher at that Mis-
sion school last Sunday says God is every
where and sees all We do; if that's SO, /
wonder why he lets some Of US have such
heaps of trouble


'Halloa Ned, here's Parson Joe. Do
you know he's saint and goes to Sun
day school, said a stout, coarselooking
boy that just turned the corner.


i wish had, there's need enough of
it, said Joe soberiy.


What's the use,' said Dick, with q
laugh, 'being good won't help Us any we
may as well cruise sroGnd, and take all
the comfort we cam


Comfort, that's just what I'm locking
for, and want to be sure and get on the
right track, said Joe.


Looking out for number one, is the
only way know. Do You see that splen-
did brown stone front down there and
Dick pointed down the avenue a little
way. Well, that chap made his money
by stealing


Stealing :" answered Joe opening his
eyes in wonder. .. . .a


Yes, I reckon it amt anything else to
cheat man out of all he's got, is il p ex-
claimed Dick, and then folks think just
as much of him as if he'd done something
for his country; tell you l don't make
difference what fellow does, if he only
with. Being poor is the greatest crime
there is. Nowadays


Maybe So replied Joe slowly; IF there
wasn't any God, and we haven't got to die
and answer for it all the man at the
Mission school told us all about it last
Sunday, and l can't help thinking about
it all the time


Well amt sgoiug 70 bother my head
about that said Dick carelessly, 4 don't
think l shall die right off,


But we know we've got TO die some
time, and it's just as likely to be to-mor;
row as time any, so guess it's as well to
be-ready'


Why that Sunday school has made
you as blue as indigo Joe.5 what's the
use, and Dick Duncan moved off whist
ling for his comrades; not at slifpleased
with the turn talk had taken. I


Joe sat while and thought over the
events Of his past life ,hs tried hard TO
remember something about his mother,
but he only had a vague sort of an idea
that she was very good and very beauti-
full; his father he eneYer cared to think of
at ell, for what child could love drunk
ard, so that when he died and Joe and
his little sister came to live with an aunt,
he could not mourn, for in reality they
were better off than they had been for a
long while, although his aunt was poor,
and little cross sometimes.


/ wonder thought Joe, if Aunt Han
nah will let Elsie and 90 to that Sun
day school. don't csrs what the boys
say, l won't be laughed cut of it; PI ask
her anyhow -


Full of his rew project Joe started for
home on a run. and much to his aunt's
estonishment bounded into the loom
where she was ironing, quite out of breath.


so you've come, Ell I didn't look for
you this two hours yet, because there's
something to be done; come now, get
some coal as quick as ever you can, and
then | want these things carriedrou to
Miss Oakley


Joe wesley concluded TO do the work
before asking the favor, and sped quick
ly on his errand. @


We'll, Joe, what is going to happen p
l never knew you. to do anything so quick
before, said his aunt as he came back


Well, you see aunt. want to ask il
Elsie and can't go to Sunday school.


go to Sunday School p exclaimed Aunt
Hannah in astonishment What on
earth put that in your head? How do
you expect to get clothes to wear? Pm
sure it's more than can do 10 fill your
mouths, let alone getting Sunday fneries.


o we don't want any fneries, we eau
be clean and decent, and that's enough


Well, suit yourself; but l don't see
what you want to go for, for my part


Joe did not wait TO hear any more, but
bounded off TO tell Elsie the good news.


Elsie, Elsie called Joe the next Sur
day morning bright and early Elsie's
sleepy eyes suddenly grew bright, and she
was soon applying cold water pretty Wig
orously toher little person; this well over,
there were sundry knots to be tied, and
pins to be placed, that Joe's clumsy fin
gers were not used TO, for Aunt HannaRs
morning nap was not to be disturbed.


Now for my shoes said Elsie, but
they look worst of all; sint they swfal,
thought


4 don't see anything the matter of
her.,' replied Joe, holding up a new pair.


% those amt mine, Joe.'


Yes they are, though. Miss Elsie, |
earned those myself, Joe answered, it,
tie proudly; so you can PIt 'em on just
as quick as you've mind to- Elsie
Z. l. L IS