Year: 1862

rszrzsksszszxsyEsz7z
streets. The little girl showed the welts on her
neck and arms where cruel hand had strapped
her for any deficiency in the supply Of pennies
and told how she had run away 20 walk back to
Germany but the snowstO. covered the road,
and she was tired and cold, and thought she
would sit down ir the snow, and perhaps God
mother


Nc ne's generous heart suggested every COM
fc..t, and Loueys imperfect German conveyed
some consolation to the poor little wanderer.-
After a hearty meal, she was put into warm
he'd aud coon forgot her troubles for time in
sound sleep.


keep her until r Rolph came, to see if he could find
some cline to her relatives or friends, and return
her to them Everything about the child denoted
her claim to place IN good circle. Her beauty
was delicate, her hands and feet small and perfect
her accent pure, ana her manners gentle and
graceful No mark of courscness or low breed
ing showed any fitness for the trade she had pur-
sued after arriving in New York, and her quick
look at the handsome house and furniture, and
case at the Widespread table proved that such a
home was not entirely new TO her.


Roph will be here Tomorrow, sc let her
stay with you, Louey, till be comes"


Louey's heart already open to the child
who came from Rolph's home, and she readily
consented TO share her rooms with the poor little
stranger for the time before Rolph arrived.


The next day, however, brought not the ex-
pected guest, but letter saying that he could
not join them until evening. ltwas nine o'clock
before the train reached Dayton, and Mrs Lawton
drove over TO meet the new conner Maria was
lying in bed trying TO mind Louise and go to
sleep, when the carriage drove up and she heard
the glad welcome given to lolpb. The tears
coursed silently down her cheek, till, as the sad
ness grew too oppressive she stole quietly to the
window, and sat pondering over her Loneliness and
troubles. The moon sbone down through the clear
glass, making the shadows dark and the light
wierd and ghastly, and the child brought memo
nv to people the scene till her poor heart seemed
10 be breaking. Her home, her mother, the sea
voyage with its trying incidents and desolation,
all rose vividly before her, and in sad connection
came the uncertain future. For two long hours
che sat mourning, till suddenly sound fell on
her ear that brought the flush to her pale cheeks,
dried her tears, and started her, trembling, to
her feet With rapidly beating heart, she CROPPED
for her clothes, and with shaking hands arranged
her dress


Leaving her, let us look in on the family in
the parlor. Rolph, as the greatest stranger,
comes first He is a handsome man, with sad,
earnest eyes, that light only when they rest on
Louise. His fine face speaks of intellect and
cultivation, and his manners are courteous yet
aniet. In very little time the whole party were
charmed with their guest All restraint was
thrown aside for they we're yet family party.
as the guests for Christmas did not come till the
next day. After some conversation, the gentle
man opened the piano, and several songs and
peices of music filed up an hour pleasantly.


"Now, Rolph, it is your turD," said Louise


"Do you play ~ said Mollie.


"Indeed he does, but love best to hear him
sing Sing my favorite, Rolph," said Louise


"Uer favorite," said Rolph. dis song my
fathcr wrote for my sister and myself. lie was
passonatcly fond of music, and no mean compos-
er and when any event Effected him deeply, he
would often give his heart voice in music After
my mother died, he went one evening to the room
where my sister and myself lay sleeping, and
there he sung as if by inspiration, this Prayer
for the Motherless.' 1t was sacred to him, and
he never gave the music to any one. We were
allowed to sing it only when alone or with him,
and it never passed my lips after he died until l
sang it for Louise"


The symphony was plantige ; but when Rolph
Jet his voice join the music every one of the lis
teners were spell bound. Not only the air, but
the deep, rich melody Of the fine voice, and
touching expression he gave to each word made
the song prayer indeed. lie sang one verse,
and then the door behind him opened slowly, and
with hushed step, an eager yet still face, Maria
came in. Softly, her eyes fixed on Rolph, she
crcpt to his side, and then suddenly, as if by an
irresistible impulse, she poured forth waling
volume of song Rich, clear, true, yet heart
breaking in its emotion, her voice sang, unheed
ing that Rolph had ceased, and with white lips
and qniyering frame was watching her The last
note died away, and then with cry of agony the
child fell at Rolph's feet.


stake me home Oh, take me home y she
eobbed


"Child, child, where did you learn that
song ?" he cried, taking her up in his strong
arms.


:" It's mammals song. All her own song, she
told me once. Grandpa wrote ii when her mother
died. Oh, shall never see my mother! Can |
never 20 home.


All the penup agony of months was shaking
her frame now, as she lay sobbing in the arms
that shook so with agitation they could scarcely
support even her light figure.


"Tel me your name. Where il your mother? p
said Rolpb


Mother died on ship My name is Maria
Berkmann."


"Bcrta's child Ny child!"


1t long before Maria could realize that
such happiness lay in store for her. Her uncle
and the sweet lady who found her in the snow
promising her home, love, and care it was too
bewdering for belief.


There was a Merry Christmas" at Mrs. Law
toms; but with some hearts prayers at once sor-
Iowfu and glad, sad yet grateful, went up on
that holiday, for the loved lost and the lost
found, Godeys Lady'S Book.