The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher

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ion. This time he was there to interview a stranger concerning the child Edwin. There was still the same strong odor of nicotine in the room, and the furniture and the condition of the walls and the

institution, orders had been issued to the effect that Mrs. Fischer must either pay for the support of her child or take him away from the almshouse. Having received a notice from Mr. Engler of the board's decision, she had decided to have him brought to h

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e that might have in

ll-dressed and was apparently of a strong will, and the peculiar light within his eye and the hard lines about his mouth revealed the same characteristics that had been so prominent in the mother. Edwin, on the other hand, was small for his age and holl

ained why he felt as he did about their actions, but he preferred turning to the window, where he could look out upon God's creation. The little birds that had charmed him in his rambles had long been his friends, and as he gazed through an open window, he could see a nest full of

d, but before he entered the room, Mrs. Engler saw to it that his clothing w

ce of his uncle, the latter was greatly surprized at the slight figure before him, but he sought to

all about his father or mother, not even that any such relation was necessary in life. He therefore was glad, but

and buggy to take you to your mother's h

t the man before him was very large. It was not until his uncle said impatie

ine and rub his hand over the soft cushion. When his uncle took the seat beside him, everything about him began to move, and he thought of the few times when the children had been taken for rides behind the large team of oxen. But he had never been away from the poorhouse farm, and when they passed

use cattle, and as he saw the little "jumper-men" skipping about in the tall grass, so many pleasant recollections were brought to his mind that he laughed aloud. They met other horses and

bout any of the beautiful things around him was unexpressed and securely fastened within his little mind for future meditation. His small store of kn

t full of the deepest esteem, and his desire to do his very best to win the confidence and friendship of his new companion was strong

e him became streaked with crimson and gold. Then Edwin noticed that the houses were closer together,

t suddenly Edwin saw the right line tightening, and in answer to the uncle

laced him upon the ground. Again the boy's decision to endeavor to please was strengthened, and when the uncle started toward the pret

her's home. As they stepped upon the porch, Edwin could not refrain from sniffing in some of the delicious fragrance o

beautiful. Then he saw a woman sitting near a window with a piece of sewing in her hands a

other," he hear

hild a word of welcome, the un

you think

get something out of him. All he did until I told him to come along was to stare at me with those large brown eyes of his. While we were riding alon

ideration for the manner in which Edwin had been shut away from the better class of society and the proper helps that are usually thrown about the young, they at once gave him a low

g, although rented, contained many comforts and even luxuries; for the mother, aside from her pension-money, was being liberally paid by the uncle for keeping him and his family. And Edwin's igno

say; but he had not been taught that this was necessary, and because

t leave you at the poorhouse now and let you grow up with

rner where he would be the farthest from her, and added, "Any place in my home

at once to the place assigned him. The good food upon the table was very tempting, and when he had eaten all that was on his plate

or to eat until his hunger was satisfied. Without a murmur he did without the dainties that

the darkness he could repeat the words that the kind old lady at the poorhouse had taught him. Then whi

or Edwin life seemed to be constantly growing more serious and dark, but "man loo