Year: 1862


chill air penetrated his ragged garments
but never mind that He wanted to think.
Who are these people passing him, looking
so warm and comforables What did it
mean that they should be so happy and
cheerful, and he so sad 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 lived 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 only see
God for one little minute, or the angels that
the good men 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 frightened
the little boys heart somewhat but it didn't
warm him; it didn't make him less hungry.
He kept shivering in spite of the music, and
he felt SO all alone, so despairingl Then
the organ grinder passed away he never
needed the little child sitting on the curb
I stone, he had SO many things to think of.
The carriages passed by, and the carts and
n company of soldiers but it was all dull
show to him--he was trying TO think, with
such dull pain at his heart. Presently,
three or four rough looking boys gathered
4 behind him, and winked and laughed at each
other In another moment the youngest
gave a thurst, and over went the poor little
homeless child into the gutter. One scream,
one sob Of anguish as he gathered himself
IN. and looked after the boys, now fleeing
with shouts Of mirth Oh how cruel it
seemed in them-how cruel! The little
hungry boy walked slowly on, sobbing and
shivering to himself. lie didn't know what
he was walking for, or why he was living.
He fit out of place "a little heart so ten
der 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
he eazed with longing eyes, not far off, was
tended by cross looking old man. There
were cakes on the stand, aud the mouth of
the poor homeless child watered as he saw
one boy after another deposite his penny
and take his cake. He had no penny. and
though there was hunger in his eyes, the
cross looking old man never offered him a
morsel


The tempter came. The old mans back
was turned. A vile boy at his side-at the
side Of the homeless child-nudged his ell
bow. You take one" he whispered "Tll
give you half"


The little child gazed at him steadily
He saw something in the bleared eyes that
made him shrink something that set hi:
heart 10 beating.


Il tell you to hook one," whispered the
boy, / won't tell, and we'll 90 away and ea
it,"


81 don't want TO steal," said the home
less child.


"Oh! ycu fool" muttered the bruta
tempter, and smote him in the eyes, hi,
heavy hand dealing blow that sent the poor
little child against the wall, his whole frame
quivering with anguish. The terrible blow
had almost blinded him for moment. A
sob came up in his throat. "Oh! what
have | done to be treated so 2" There nev,
er, was God, or he would not let him suf.
fer so, and that because he refuses TO be
wicked. 1 don't believe that ever a man in
his deadiest bereavements 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 it there
were great and sore injustice somewhere.


He started to cross the street. A dark
binding pain still made his poor temples
ring


Back back Good heavens The child
is under his feet Back back y


"Oh, mamma, il is our horses run over Q
poor little boy. Oh, mamma, mamnha!"


ssIs he hurt much, coachmans" The
woman's face is pale as ashes. :. Yes, he is
hurt badly. Take him right in. don't wait
carry him right in and up stairs. 1t was
your carelessness. The child shall be at
tended to."


There is no anguish now. Perhaps Coo
saw he had borne all he could, and so took
the poor little broken heart there to heal
How very white and quieti "Oh, a sweet
"a sweet, sweet face p riiurmnred the wo-
man, bending over the boy and tears fell
upon his forehead, but he did not feel them


oh, the poor little boy" sobs Nelly
sthe poor little boy wish he had kept or
the sidewalk wish he had stayed at home
with his 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 an
hospital near. The poor thing had better be
sent there. But the good woman would moi
: allow that. She would care for him herself
e she said. He had been injured by one o.
? her horses, and felt ii was her duty to at
: tend TO him. Besides il was like ly the child
/. had no mother. Such boy as he. with 8
= face so sweet and girlish, so pure and lover
BILE, would never be sent on the streets like
q that if he had mother. Besides (and hei
r tears fel) there was little mound not ye
i, green over just such a child No, no !
was not in her heart to put the poor wound
= ed boy away. Let him stay, whether hi
e lived or died.


! The weary, weary days passed on. One
e morning, the little boy opened his dim blue
ewes. but he did not know him. elf dis
!. glance fell wearily on his hands. There
u were white bands around his wrists, will
b ruffies on them. The bed was so snowy
e white. too, and crimson light fell over ev
i eryihiug.


Dear God l am in heaven" muniuree
> the child. " Yes, God viii take care OF m'
I now"
i What visions Of loveliness glanced forti
: from the shadow behind the bed! The riei