The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher

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services were needed by his mother. There was little that he could do, but with brush and pan he gathered the dust and lint from under

he did when there was plenty, for the golden rule was too much a part of his nature. When his morning duties were done, his

little face in the furry neck of the graceful animal, and all about him seemed to say: "Good morning, my boy. Cheer up, cheer up! Our meals you shall share and our songs you shall hear." The fact that there w

ent, and, sitting erect, he chirped in reply a sweet little song that he had learned at the poorhouse from the birds. This peaceful c

n them yet," h

say!" she picked up a board that was lying near and began to beat him as she had done the day before. Hoping to escape some of the blows, the child drew closer to his mother, but the following instant he found himself tumbling

baby was in the house in his crib and was still asleep, and the other two children, who had been on the opposite side of the house at play, were standing in full view of the scene. Without

the other children were by her side. Before leaving the yard, she called loudly for Edwin, asking where he was hiding, and as the child came limping toward her, she threw him a package, saying as she did so: "Here's some dinner for you and Perry. We'll not be back before night, but

life was already too full of varied experiences for this fact to make any material difference in his feelings. He did think, howeve

Knowing that it was intended for the dog as well as for him, he called for Perry to come, and togethe

hich was a hungry dog, were to dine upon it. After Edwin had considered all this, feelings arose in his heart, but they were not of ingratitude or displeasure. He was anxious

this morning your plate wasn't quite as full as it is sometimes, so I didn't take any bites. I gave it all to you, Perry, and I was so hung

fect consent. Still fearing that he might not have been perfectly understood, Edwin began again, "Now, Perry, are you really willing to have it that way, and can you trust me to divide both the meat and the b

manners, or napkins to bother with, the dinner was soon eaten, and after a little romp (for Edwin had quite forgotten his bruises) the two lay down together beneath the apple-tree. Here they

inst his cheek reminded him of what had happened before he fell asleep, and, sitting up, he looked around to see if he was right. Everything in the yard

look for a long distance in one direction. But it was not the gardens nor the corn-fields that attracted his attentio

the soft earth. After watching them for a little while, he saw something smooth and round lying where he could easily reach it, and he found that it was a pretty white stone with pink stripes in it To Edwin it was a valuable treasure, and by

pretty indeed. The one with the pink stripes was so nearly round that it might have been mistaken for a marble; the next was oval in sh

Elmer might want the stones made him thrust them out of sight, but he was not swift enough to escape the eyes of that young lad. Elmer saw the act and, t

ard her say, "Out with whatever you've got, Ed, or I'll see why! You needn't try to show any of your authority around here!" he said, "I haven't anythi

turned the little stones to his pocket. Edwin, although so young and seemingly ignorant along some lines, knew what it was to be robbed of similar treasures; and, noticing the same evil light in his cousin's eye that he had noted many times before at the po

g-quarters. The moon was shining bright and clear, and beneath its silver rays the two boys crept into bed. Both were very still; in fact, they were so very quiet that in a short time each

g upon the bedpost, and, turning softly in the bed, he could see from where he was lying, a sight that made him tremble wi

e, Elmer? Don't take tho

speak, for he did not expect to be caught; but in an ir

alone? Shut your mouth I say and let him have those st

is own way, yielded to his selfish desire and, again thrust

t entered his life. Was it Elmer's fault? Not altogether. Temptation comes to all, but with the temptation there is a way of escape (1 Cor. 10: 13). Elmer could have chosen to do right and leave the stones where they belonged; but when he was

the baby, and here it was that he recalled Elmer's act. After making sure that the stones were not in his po

eal my stones last nig

Elmer almost shouted; and, running to Mrs. Fischer, he said excitedly, "Ed c

nd began using it freely upon him, saying as she did so: "Ed, you wretched child! Is that all you've learned at the p

tle tired and aching body upon the bed beside his cousin, he wondered why he was forced to suffer and bear the punishment th

minister to the needs of the little forlorn chil

other forsake me, then t

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a murderer, or as a thief, or a