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‘ Mrabrahunyhe sae
} For the ¢ Companion, tn pa
. THE ORPHAN BROTHERS, |:
sefeet
lay. dying. She had wasted away in a slow de-
cline, and weak, and helpless, and nearly breath-
' Jéss as she was, she knew. that but Tee: more re-
i mained to her of life.”° bos»
» The neighbors had left her, and she ¥ was slone
witlrher two children, Terence and : Mikey, soon
| te'be made complete orphans by her loss. : The
Titile fellows were leaning against her bed, watch-
iag her pale face, and’ saying tender: words to
soothe her.’ She called them closer to her, and
living her thin, white hand, now cold with the
death-chill, on each young head, she said,’ 1. 9
os*The Lord keep tye, my darlints. {He took
ye're father. Ile’s takin’ me.i May Ie keep ye
Hlis own silf. § ‘Sure, ye’re His own ‘childers now.
Ah, Terence my lad, ye're the oldest. I charge
ye. wi my dying breath, “by the love I bear ye,
now breakin’ my heart”—Marg:
hér, but she wept and sobbed, and fhe two bojs
wept and sobbed with her. ©"
After a few minutes she gathered dirength and
went on. “Terence dear, take’ both little Mikey’: 8
hands in yours. Now, child, I charge ye, be a
father to Mikey to take care of‘him; be a mother
| to. Mikey to love him,’ and? spake’ ‘soft to him}
ye ’re all he has, the darlint.”
~The little hands were held tight together, and
tears fell fast and hot, from the young blue eyes
above them unused to weep.
“Now promise me, Terence, on the ait kiss
these ' ‘eyes will see “between the two, boys of ny
lov
a The children Kiseed cach other, and broken-
» hearted Mikey buried his face on ‘Terence’s shoul-
“der; and wept aloud.: Manly Terence restrained
his ‘grief, and laid a supporting’ arm around his|”
her.
“brother yeez, ‘Terence! Hid “exclaimed the “dying
mother. ‘Bless yeez | that Ive see that. - Now
kiss this cold hand, my ‘darlints, and promise.” ,
Terence kissed the hand in trembling and ane,
"IT promise,” he’ said, solemnly and ina breaking
“ yoice. ences cl
“Let: me hear it, “Terence. 28
«J promise to love Mikey, and be good to him,
are of him.” fs on vere
we the Lord ‘ves yeez as ye do it nr said the
mother, impressively, T'll leave no curse. behind
me for a poor.orphan boy, but remember, Ter-
ence, God Himself: will curse ye if ye fail. | But
ye'lll not fail,” she added, in a full, almost trium-
-phant tone. The blessing of God be on ye!
Ye'll not fail your promise,” and Margaret Bym
nd spoke no more.’
18 key sobbed on, his head at yesting on os
‘ence’s shoulder, and. Terence stood. , “still an
thoughtful, bearing his weight of solemn care. '
Arfew gasps—Terence ; released himself ‘hm
“Mikey. “What, mother??. No answer. The
mother was dead. . The poor. boys were orphans
alone i in this wide world—alone but for God. ,
|The neighbors came in and buried, the body of
“the poor woman, aud housed : the” Tears the
“aay or two, and then they were given over to
guardians of the poor.
rentless, b
fa that Sent “thera. forth re
‘o the chilliness. and neglect of a
vad tender i thee. No, let us not say, it.
“Some ceeds must lie in the cold, frozen earth
“through the long winter storms, Or. they will net
“grace the springtime with flowers, or svecten f t °
south breezes. with fragrance. Some’ Me est
- dwell in darkened cages to Jearn their Teter
“songs. . Some hearts grow softest, kindest, tender-
_ est in Sorrow 5 somé natures firmer, stronger, no.
‘ bler in adversity. God knoweth His own, an
~careth well for them. ' His eye watched lovingly,
_ His hand guided careflly the little orphans on
to the almshouse. . . . ;
“at a sat close to Mikey, smiling on nim,
* pointing out pleasant things, and trying to nek e
him happy.” For @ few hours'after their arrival :
: their new home. they were diverted by the et
* ties of the place, but when evening approse pes
< ghd the shadows began to fall, they were ia ly
* and homesick. ’ Little Mikey le leaned against er
re eemmnaaecaaty
* OLMSTEAD & 00.; PUBLISHERS. ina
Ma a low, dark, damp ‘cellar, Margaret Ryan :
They were not only pa-
ut homeless ; -» not only orphans, but
“|. sBOSTON, ' THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24,
al
ete
Jifam cot
ud bass Tt
fools dig boaAlow (ne ' .
encé ‘hd burst t into ‘ears. fap T “ass ‘rank "other
so!” said the poor child.
“T love you Miki
with a breaking Yoice
my. own, "said Terence,
nd lifting his ‘brother,
nearly as. large ag ‘himself, “he held him on, his
knees; and pressed , him’ to his breast,’ and kissed
him, rocking himself back’ ‘and forth. Darling,
“That was the’ way their riother used to hold
Mikey, and kiss, him,’ and: speak, to him, ‘and Ter-
ence, ‘though as homesick as Mikey, remembered
his promise, and’ tried to be ‘a mothér'to him, to
“Tove him, and speak ‘soft to him.” ‘So soon came
a breath of, sweetness from this buried - sted—so
soon’ a song of rare melody from this “eage-dark-
ened bird!’
3 Rough men ‘looked ‘on the scene, and some
spoké in a ‘lower,’ quieter ‘tone,’ and some kept
silence, for they had had’ mothers once $ had been
rocked and soothed once. ‘ Rough wonien passed
and wiped their eyes; ‘ mayhap they had borne
children, and knew. the “he rt of motherhood.
The angels: looked on ‘and were, pleased, and ¢:
care
ried a new tale of human love to the waiting spir-
its above. ‘Terence soothed Mikey 'to’a swect
slumber, then dropped a tearupon him, and lay
back to'rest himself.’ Though’ lonely and sad, he
was peaceful.! Ile had kept his promise. Did
not, his mother know it? Was she not glad?
_ | God knew it.
Long,’ sad, dark days and years the: orphan
brothers spent at the almshouse, and many a time
Terence soothed and rocked Mikey, and told him
of his love as softly and tenderly as his own sweet
young ¥ yoice could tell it} and was satisfied | wil
Mikey’s kiss and clasping, and never complained
that there's 3 no one, to ‘soothé him, ‘no, one to
care for or protect Aim,” When food ‘was short
and appetites were’ large’ Mikey never wanted,
and never knew that Terence went hungry for’ his
sake. When, the days were'cold and the boys’
bare fect were ‘half frozen, Terence | warmed
Mikey's, in his hands.’ No one can tell how the
affectionate Terence’ missed his mother, ‘and he
wanted to keep Mikey from missing her as much
as he could.’ So he warmed, ‘and cheered, and
gladdened him from his own life, and was warmer,
and ‘cheerier, and gladder himself; for loving i is
better than love, and in blessing we are blest.
* Sometimes Terence felt impatient with Mikey’s
faults, (an older person might have felt so,) but
he was soon checked by that } promise on the death-
cold hand.’’ It seemed to touch his lips again, and
a a chill went straight to his heart whenever he was
cross’ and unkind’ to his brother.’ Ah, why 80
much sacredness in the hour of death, and in its
requirements, and warnings, and sanctions; and so
little in Jife, and its nearest and dearest Ulaims ?
At last there came a sore trial to the orphans,
‘A farmer who wanted & boy to help him with his
work yisited the alushonse, and, selected Terence
a bo awn
A SIOUX WAR DANCS,
IB hotharaae : ‘
as ohe twho might suit him. Terence had little
liking forthe almshouse aid the life he led there,
and would have been glad at, almost any change,
could Mikey have made_it with hin; if he could
not, Terence would gladly have stayed with him.
But he had no choice; he must go with the farmer,
and he went. The farmer was a kind man, and
oi looked fud spoke: kindly, and -he had 8 pleasant ba
home.among: green fields and fruit-bearing or-
chards; but Terence had ‘Tittle joy in all these |i
things, for his heart was left behind with Mikey.
lle pitied him... ow Mikey would grieve!’ How
homesick he would be without him! “And then his
promise ‘to his dyi ing mother, how could he keep
it? How could he care fur his brother when’ so
far away? -Of course, he would not be to blame
that he did not, but he wanted to keep that prom-
ise.’ It was sacred. It was Feligion to him.
-Then he thought that he could keep a part of
his promise, even though absent from Mikey.” He
could care for him. He could make an effort to
obtain a good home for Mikey near himself, and
if he should succeed, then how happy they would
both be! To accomplish this he must be a good
and useful boy, and obtain the favor of his’ master
and his master’s neighbors. Ileart-sick as he was,
he tried to be contented and cheerful, and was
ready and faithful in all his duties, always worthy
of trust. | In faithfulness to one promise, he had
learned to be faithful in all things, and this, with
his mild and gentle speech and manners, soon
made him a favorite.:/. "|
» But’ months passed, and he could accomplish
nothing for Mikey,’ None of the neighbors wanted
him; ; all had boys of their own; and Terence was
anxious, and troubled, and disheartened, for fear} .
that he might never see Mikey more. . Ile feared
that he might be'already sent to a distant, part of
the country. ‘The farmer's wife often’ heard him
singing ia alow, plaintiye tone, when’ he thought
no one was listening, little snatches of rhymes
which’ he had made himself about ‘Mikey, my
darling,’ Mikey, my dear,” i in which he had ex-
pressed his undying yearnings for his brother, and
his fear that he might be forgotten by him.’ Then
she noticed that in his pleasant voice there was
sometimes a mournful sound that seemed to come
from an unshed tear, and that his eyes were grow-
ing deep and sad. She spoke to her husband
about it, and suggested that the boy might be
homesick, but the farmer laughed at the thought
that any one could be homesick fora poor-house.
The heart of the farmer's wife was still troubled
about Terence. . It seemed to her that he was
growing paler and thinner, as well as sadder.
The farmer laughed at this too; but, at last, he
saw himself that something ailed the boy. - He no
longer sprung and hurried to do his bidding; he
brgathed short after a run; his laughter had grown
fiat. ri*What ailed him ” he asked in his turn,
and whea his wife mentioned her old idea of home-
Ped be tees PDS a en i
vice ae mneniene linterna innate
sickness’ and heart-sicknees for sin; r the fai
easy-tempered man, comforted himself that. if it
was no more than that it would soon wear off; |
the boy would ‘soon outlive it.’
.Terence grew still paler and thianer, ‘and’ the“
farmer grew troubled, for be had learned to Jove ;
the little Irish orphan as his own’ son; and with->
out saying anything even to his wife,! he started
for the almshouse. Were Mikey there, he would
bring him to see Terence, J. . Tlow can I tell -
you about the meeting of the brothers that night!
Tow pleased and happy.was Mikey!’ How sur-*
prised, overwhelmed,. overjoyed was Terenée! | :
Terence held Mikey to his breast and. wept, and ;
Mikey laughed with delight, not seeing Terence’ ‘3
tears. Poor, dear children!s: 5 1.5
~ But it was too late to save Terence.” Mis Tonge
concealed heart-hunger, and yearning; and anx~’
iety had brought on the'deéline ‘he inherited from
his mother, and no joy, nor hope, nor cheering
now, could restore him. » He failed fast, and it was:
not many ‘days before those who watched him saw '
that his end had come.- Te seemed to know it, ‘
Taking Mikey's hands in ‘his, as he bad done at_
his s dying mother’s bidding, he kissed him as before= ;
tine, and asked, “Mikey, have I kept my prom-'
ise?” Mikey wept.’ ‘(Have I kept the promise ’
I kissed ‘on’ her cold hand when dear mother |
died?”. , Mikey wept on. ‘Haye I been a mother.
to you, darling?” | Nora dda ats set
“Yes, Terence, yen Mi y made out to. ane?
swer, | Tyee
Tam so glad. | I'm ‘sure I've loved you, dar
ling.” Terence dosed his eyes and ‘waited for.
reath. ‘Now kiss me a warm kiss, Mikey, and‘
promise not to mourn for: me.‘ My heart broke |
”
loving and faithful brother died.. -..
But his ‘love and faithfulness did their work,
even after he was dead. The good farmer gave”
Mikey a home in his house and heart for Terence's®
sake, and tried to love him as he had loved Ter!
ence. 1 _ Mass Preps Hanes Punts,
oer renee
Oh NARROW ESCAPE FROM ‘sHARKS.
We were lying at anchor i in the inner harbor of
Trincomalee, in Ceylon, when the: adventure’
which I am about to relate occurred to me.‘ ‘I was:
very young then, and thoughtless, ‘and laughed
at the whole affair as only youth can laugh; in
maturer years. ¢ one thinks more soberly of these
matters. ©;
We came to anchor about halt a iaile of the
town or village, and’ immediately there ‘swarmed
around the ship hundreds of buge, hungry sharks—
about the ugliest customers a sea-faring man would
ever wish to set eyes upon.’ ‘The water was tran-
scendently clear and still, so that we could see the
smooth, soft, sandy, bottom, distinctly,. although
the depth was great; ‘and it.was no small source
of amusement to watch the gambols of these huge,
and voracious monsters,’ as’ the; darted of in
shoals. after any thing that seemed to hold, out the
slightest promise ofa meal. *s
I believe the first person sn boaid dh that had any :
direct intercourse with the sharks was the Chinese .
cook; and but for his long tail of hair that hung
from the back of his head whe would have come to
unpleasantly close quarters with’ them, He was
standing out in the forechains, dangling a scraggy
bit of beef overboard, to soak it before cooking,
and,’ quite forgetful of the legions of sharks that
surrounded him, was jabbering away to his coun-
trymen in their own uncouth vernacular, when a
sudden and violent tug at the rope sent him flying
off his balance, and, but for his prodigiously Jong
and ‘strong tail, which had’ got entangled in a
Dlock, both cook and beef would have fallen a
prey to the sharks. “As it was, it was with consid-
erable difficulty that he was extracted from his
perilous position, and-then only at the expense of
nearly a foot of his beloved and valued tail. ‘The
crew became exhausted with laughing at the lu-
dicrous spectacle he presented, as, dangling over
the forechains, he kept plunging out his arms and
legs, and twirling round like a-teetotum and
screeching for help. This incident only seemed
to encourage the yoracity of tho ‘sharks—they
liked the beef, and kept watch for more, moming, ©
!noon and 1 night. vats
cy'a 9 varm lips on in ec the | ge
a
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