THE RESCUE—WELCOME HOME.
O joy! I see our mother’s face,
Our own delightful home;
And never more from it shall we,
Dear Annie, want to roam.
“IN our last conversation we left Harry struggling in the water, and Ann
standing on the wharf, screaming and crying very loud.
“Just then, a young man, who wore a short blue jacket, a checked shirt,
and a shining hat on the back of his head, came along; and, seeing Ann’s
distress and poor Harry’s situation, without saying one word, pulled off
his jacket, and jumped into the water after him. By this time a good
many other people had gathered around. The sailor soon came up, with
Harry in his arms; but the little boy was very pale and cold.
“Some people carried them into a small house that smelt of rum and
tobacco smoke. They asked the children their names, and where they
lived. When they had told them, they said they should be sent home after
awhile, but that Harry must first go to bed; for he shivered, and was
still very cold. They wanted him to drink some rum, but he refused. So
they carried him up into a little, dark room, and laid him in a dirty
bed, and put some very heavy covering over him; and then went to get the
children something to eat. Little Ann staid alongside of her brother’s
bed, crying all the time. Soon the woman of the house came up stairs,
bringing them some bread and butter, and crackers and cheese. But,
although they had been so hungry before, they did not feel like eating
then. They were sick and unhappy. It seemed to them as if they were a
great way off from their own home. The people in whose house they were,
were not at all like their dear papa and mamma. They talked very loud,
and laughed a great deal, and used words which the children had never
heard before. Ann said,
“‘Brother, we have been very wicked in going away from home. I am afraid
we never shall see our dear papa and mamma any more.’
“Then they put their arms around each other’s neck, and cried.
“Just then the woman of the house came in, and again asked them the name
and the number of the street in which they lived. This Harry remembered,
and told her.
“She said,
“‘Well, don’t take on so. I am busy fixing my Ned off to sea now; but
to-night I will take you to the place where your father and mother
live.’
“The children thought it would be a very long time before night would
come. Ann crept into the bed with Harry; and they nestled up to each
other, and fell fast asleep.
“While they slept, a sound was heard without: ‘Lost children! Lost
children!’ This was called out by a man who, at the same time, rang a
bell which he held in his hand.
“When he got near the sailor, he was told that the children were safe in
the house. He stopped ringing his bell, and went, in great haste, to
tell the parents of the children that they were found. Soon the father
came, in a carriage, to take his little runaways home. The children
awaked from their sleep in that miserable room to see their dear
father’s loving face bending over them, and to feel his warm kisses on
their lips and cheeks.
“It was dark when they got home. As they were taken from the carriage,
they saw each window in the brightly lighted parlor filled with faces on
the look-out for them. And, O, what joy, when they found themselves
again in their cheerful, happy home; in their precious mother’s arms!
“It was time for Willy and Charlie to have their supper, and for their
little baby-sister to be put to bed; but nobody thought of them. Every
one was thinking of the little ones who had been lost, but were now
found. Parents and servants rejoiced together over the little stray
lambs. They had been in danger, but were now safe. They had wandered
from their father’s house; and he had sent a messenger to find them.
They had been naughty; but their father forgave them, and rejoiced over
them.”
Alfred knew enough of the Bible to apply this story. He saw in Harry and
Ann’s kind father a picture of our dear heavenly Parent, who sent his
Son to call us back to him; and who kindly receives and freely forgives
us when we return. The rejoicing household, who forgot the other little
ones for joy that Harry and Ann were safe, reminded him of the holy
angels, who are so glad when a wicked person becomes good.
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