BERTIE AND THE NEWSBOY.
A few steps brought them to an old block, where their young guide
stopped.
"May I run in and tell mother you're coming. She's so very sick, sir."
"Yes, but be as quick as you can. I must catch the next train to
E----"
Before they had time to miss him, the boy returned, his face very,
very sad.
Bertie instinctively caught his hand, as they followed him to the
humble chamber.
A woman lay there in the last stages of consumption. On a table near
her was a cup, a tumbler, and a spoon, all empty.
"You are in distress," said Mr. Curtis, in a soothing tone; "tell me
what you need."
"Nothing for myself. I shall soon be where want and sorrow shall
never enter; but it is hard to leave my boy alone."
"Is he your only child?"
"The only one left of five. He will soon be an orphan."
Mr. Curtis stood a moment gazing about as if trying to judge from the
surroundings something of the character of the inmates, when he caught
a glimpse of Bertie.
The boy's eyes were fixed on his face with such an eager, wistful
gaze, as if he wondered his father did not offer relief, that he
resolved at once to befriend the orphan.
"You say," he began, "that you hope soon to be in heaven. Cannot you
cast your care for your child on your heavenly Father?"
"I have tried to; but sometimes my faith is weak. He has been taught
his duty to God. I"--
A fit of coughing interrupted her, after which, Mr. Curtis hastened to
say:
"I will be a friend to your boy. I must leave you now; but here is a
sum of money, you will need for immediate wants. I will try and call
again before night. In the meantime, what is your name?"
"Martha Washburn."
They hurried away, reached the cars just in time, found exactly what
they wished, smoke trees, tartarian honeysuckles, azalias, etc., etc.,
ordered them to be ready for Mr. Grant's team Monday noon, and then
went back to the city.
Bertie enjoyed everything. The long rows of trees, the neat lines of
bushes; but his heart was full of Jimmy Washburn. His little hand
nestled itself into his father's, and every chance he had to speak, he
repeated,--
"Oh, papa! I do love you. I do thank you so much. How glad that poor
woman looked when you told her you would take care of her boy."
Mr. Curtis told his wife afterward that he kept thinking, as he saw
Bertie's flushed, eager face, of the text, "of such is the kingdom of
heaven," and prayed that God might keep his heart like that of his
pure-minded boy.
Before he left the city, he made arrangements for Jamie's admission to
a mission school, where he would be well educated, and then sent to a
home in the great West. Then they hurried to Woodlawn to receive a
warm welcome from mamma, Winnie, and a smile from little Violetta.