Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1877 — Hearts of the Lowly. [ARTICLE]

Hearts of the Lowly.

One day, three or four weeks ago, a gamin, wiio seemed to have no friends in tlie world, was rim over by a vehicle on Gratiot avenue and fatally injured. After lie had been in the hospital for a week, a boy about Ids own age and size, and looking as friendless and forlorn, called to ask about him and leave an orange. He seemed much embarrassed, and would answer no questions. After that lie came daily, always bringing something, if no more than an apple. Last week, when the nurse told him that Billy had no chance to get well, the strange boy waited around longer than usual, and finally asked if he could go in. He had been invited to many times before, but had always refused. Billy, pale and weak, and emaciated, opened liis eyes in wonder at sight of the boy, and before lie realized who it was the stranger bent close to his face and sobbed : “Billy, can ye forgive a feller? We was alius fighting and I was alius too much for ye, but I’m sorry ! Fore ye die won’t ye tell me ye haven’t any grudge agin me ? ” The young lad, then almost in the shadow of death, reached up liis thin white arms, clasped thf m around the other’s neck, and replied a “ Don’t cry, Bob—don’t feel bad! I was ugly and mean, and I was heavin’ a stone at ye when tlie wagon hit me. If ye’ll forgive me I’ll forgive you, and I’ll pray for both of us ! ” Bob was half an hour late tlie morning Billy died. When the nurse took him to the shrouded corpse he kissed the pale face tenderly and gasped: “D-did he say anything about—about me?” “He spoke of you just* before he died—asked if you were here,” replied the nurse. “And may I go-go to the funeral? ” ‘ 1 You may. ” And he did. He was the only mourner. His heart was the only one that ached. X o tears were slied by others, and they left liim sitting by the new-made grave with heart so big that he could not speak. If, under the crust of vice and ignorance, there are such springs of pure feeling and true nobility, who shall grow weary of doing good ? ” —Detroit Tribune.