Year: 1871

it over" ;~as s'tr .a-' n


Poor lamb!' said the tender-heart-
ed girl, kissing the quivering lips which
were trying so hard to be brave. "I'H
leave the light, and I'll beg hard :ror
YOU" And repressing sigh over the
hopelessness of her task, she glided out
into the starlight, leaving the poor lit
tie victim to await . cruelty which, con
sidering the centuries of Christian pro
gress that have elapsed since the slaugh-
ter of the innocents, not only out Her
ods Herod, but is one of the darkest
blots upon our social life. - @!j'f. I''a-4


Just here | must pause to offer a
plea for the children, the most defence
less objects of all Gods: creation We
sigh over the miseries of poor Smike,
over little David Copperfield's sorrowful
journey; alas that the magic hand
which SO moved us is vanished forever,
but | can match these thrilling nara
tives with true stories OF child rem
dered almost idiotic by continued cruel
ty, and of a little fugitive bound boy
who, after weary days of hunger and
travel, sank blistered and fainting at
his mothers feet. | can tell of wo-
man-think of it-a woman who for
some childish fault committed during
the day followed an orphan boy to his
bed with horsewhip, and then, when
there was no protection save the one
thin little night garment, broke upon
his innocent slumber with stinging
blows. And, upon the evidence of the
laundry girl, when the same little gar
ment came to the wash, it was striped
with blood. This is not pleasant read
ing. 1t is far from being pleasant writ
ing. -:f


"a father to the fatherless is God in
his holy habitation - Think of this,
O., mother, whose household contains
one of these children of the Highest
Think of it as you gather your little
ones around the glowing fireside for
song or story, and make room for the
stranger within your doors. When you
divide the boarded store of cakes or
apples, remember that his little milk
teeth are as eager for sweets as those OF
your own darlings, and be there much
or little, give him share. When your
hand is laid carelessly upon your own
children's heads, let it's light pressure
also touch his young brow. Who knows
but it may be there like consecrating
chrism, and pointing him to noble
deeds for God and humanity? Do these
things and do them now, Check not
your kindly impulse until it is too late,
until the thin hands are crossed within
the coffin, and the sad eye-hungry for
mothers kiss-have gone to tell their
pitiful story to Him who has said ):
/" Suffer the children;" or worse, until
a young soul shall have grown har-
dened, and a. little one, offended by
you, shall have become curse and
clog gging milestone upon the neck of
society. .., aa


But to return to my story. Left alone
in the great barn the sensitive child en-
dured the two-fold agony of nervous
terror and anticipated suffering. But
he had not long to wait. Soon the
heavy boots of old Beeson were heard
tramping across the cow-yard and into
the barn. Robbie stole one furtive
glance as he entered, saw the hard-set
face; saw the long, black whip trailing
from his hand the last vestige OF hope
was gone.


"Now, you young rascal, I'll pay you
for your carelessness," cried the bitter
master, as he caught sight of the little
covering form; and selling the trem-
bling boy by the arm, he raised the
whip, like great stiffening serpent,
high in air. ..- -.-.-- p.


But why did it not descend? The
boy, who had closed his eyes and set
his teeth hard to bear the torture, won
dered at the delay. From somewhere
above, came rushing sound, and the
cruel, uplifted arm was grasped and
held with a grip of iron. What could
it mean? Had God sent one OF His
mighty angels down to rescue the little
waif, too hopeless to implore His pro
lection? 1t well might be SO, for Our
Father is not Indifferent to the troubles
of His children; but the eyes of this
glorious deliverer were cleaning with
too much indignant fury and human
passion for those of heavenly visitant.


Chris p The one glad cry burst
from Robbie's lips, and then, unnoticed
of either, he sank sobbing among the
hay and straw littering the floor.


"Coward hypocrite! traitor" These
were the words which burst impetaous-
ly from the young mans lips, and with
each epithet stunning blow was plant
ed in the broad chest of the farmer.
Is it thus you treat the little brother L
entrusted to your care? Were it not
that since have been away from your
vicinity, [ have learned to be something
of which you do not even know the
meaning-a gentleman-I would take
the horsewhip and fiay you within an
inch of your life. Well, indeed, was it
that it occurred to me to test your
faithfulness in treating him kindly be-
fore [ gave of my hard earnings for the
boys board. Here in my pocket are
four hundred dollars, designed for you
payment for every week he has been
here-but not one copper OF it will you
ever see now. On the contrary, [ shall
use it in prosecuting you to the utmost
limit of the law"


And he kept his word. This youth,
whose energy and pluck had won the
victory in hand to-hand struggle with
the world, was not likely to be troubled
with morbid pity for his adversary and
with Sues fair, honest face in the wit
ness box, not only WAS TIE IuH measure
of Justice obtained, but the hard, grasp
ing farmer was disgraced forever in the
ewes of his friends and neighbors.


Aside from the triumph concerning
his little brother, the trial resulted
most happily for Chris. himself. While
seeking to redress an injustice and
wrong. like his illustrious namesake, he
discovered another fair realm-even the
sweet, old Eldorado of love. And now,
when the western sun sinks amid the
fiowery prairies of Missouri, his last
beams gild cottage porch, where often
s;t n Slender STUDENT Youth and broad