JOY IN HEAVEN—THE LITTLE RUNAWAYS.
These pretty babes, with hand in hand,
Went wandering up and down.
BABES IN THE WOOD.
ONE day, when Alfred was at church, the minister preached from the
words, “I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of
God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke xv, 10. It is a sweet text;
and the minister preached a beautiful sermon upon it. Alfred’s mamma
showed him the words in the Bible; and he remembered them, and told them
to his papa, who was ill that day, and could not go to church. Mr.
Penrose talked to Alfred about the words he had repeated to him, and the
next day told him about a family which rejoiced over the lost ones who
wandered from their home.
“I had two little cousins who lived in New-York,” said Alfred’s papa.
“Harry was six years old, and little Ann five. They had two brothers,
and one sister. They were never allowed to go into the street without
some person with them. This they did not like; so they often tried to
open the front door, but the latch was too high and too strong for them.
“One morning they went into the entry, before their papa and mamma had
come down stairs. While they were playing there the milkman rang at the
door. The servant went to get a pitcher for the milk, and left the front
door open. When Harry saw this he said,
“‘Ann, let’s go down on the pavement, and take a little walk.’
“Ann said,
“‘O, yes, Harry, do let us go!’
“So they walked out of the door, and down the steps to the pavement.
Then they felt very proud. They were pleased to think how nicely they
had run away. They had no cloak or shawl, although the day was cool, for
it was the fall of the year. Harry wore a little cap, and Ann a bonnet,
which they caught from behind the door, as they went out.
“They walked on through the streets, looking at all the pretty things
that they saw in the shop-windows. After they had gone on some time,
little Ann said,
“‘Brother, I am hungry.’
“Harry said,
“‘I am hungry too. We will go home, and get our breakfast.’
“But this was not easily done. They turned back; but they did not take
the right street to lead them home. Every step took them further off. So
on they went, hand in hand, like the babes in the wood, until they both
grew still more hungry and faint. They sat down upon some steps to rest,
and then got up, and wandered on.
“After awhile they found that they were near a river, and they saw a
boat lying by the wharf.
“Harry said,
“‘Ann, I think that boat will take us to grandpapa’s. We always sail on
the river when we go to see him. Let us step into it; and when we get to
Newark grandmamma will give us some breakfast.’
“The tears were running fast down poor little Ann’s purple cheeks; for
she was not only hungry, but tired and sorry.
“She said,
“‘But won’t mamma be angry? O, I want to see mamma!’
“Then Harry was very naughty. He shook his little sister, and pulled
her, to make her step upon the boat. She drew back, and Harry slipped,
and fell between the wharf and the boat into the water. Ann was
dreadfully frightened, and screamed. She thought her brother would be
drowned.”
[Illustration]
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