[Illustration: 9072]
HE'S only an orphan," mother dear,
`"Her father and mother are dead;
``She hasn't a home to shelter her,
```Or a hat to cover her head.=
``"I found her crying alone in the street,
```And nobody seemed to care;
``I know she is hungry and tired now--
```Please give her all of my share.=
``"I am glad we have tea in the garden to-night
```For she wouldn't go into our home;
``I could hardly coax her up here, papa,
```She hasn't a friend, not one."=
``"Come in, little girl, sit down here and eat,
```We have plenty of food and to spare;
``You are tired, poor child. Go Harry, my love,
```And get your young friend a chair.=
``"There, now you have eaten, pray tell us why
```You wander alone in the street;
``And why there is none to look after your clothes,
```And keep you more tidy and neat?"=
``"My mother just died, and they took her away,
```And our landlady said I must go;
``And all of our things belonged to her,
```To pay up the rent we owe.=
``"I went to the river to sit down and think,
```For no one cared for me now;
``I wanted to die like my own dear ma,
```But I could not--I did not know how.=
``"This boy he spoke kindly, and led me away,
```He said he would bring me to you;
``I knows I am dirty, not fit to be seen,
```But, lady, my story is true."=
``So they took her in, as Harry had said,
```And they cared for her kindly and well--
``The good they have done and the good they will do,
```Only angels in heaven can tell.=
[Illustration: 0073]
[Illustration: 0074]