Immagini della pagina
PDF
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

THE CHAINED BIBLE.
MORE than three hundred years ago only a favoured were desired at the same time not to dispute about it,

1 few possessed a copy of the Sacred Scriptures. nor to disturb Divine service by reading it aloud ; but
The Bible was then as a rare jewel, and very much prized. to read it humbly, and with reverence, for their edifica-
In the year 1540 King Henry ordered, under a severe tion. It was chained for safety at the church-door, and
penalty, that all parishes should possess a copy of the great numbers came there to read, or hear it read,
Holy Book.

bringing with them their little children, that they might
The Bible having been thus given to the people, they might also hear the Word of God.

[graphic]
[graphic]
[graphic]

he was honest and hardworking, and paid his way; besides, he was Meggie's father. I don't think Meggie could help loving and being kind to everybody who came in her way, and plenty of people did come in her way in that crowded Spitalfields Lane; but the little maiden had her own plans and desires, which she worked at very steadily. Sunny and light-hearted as she seemed to every one, like a bright bit of summer in the dark house, Meggie had her grave, earnest thoughts, her purpose in life; more thoughts, and graver, than little maidens of eleven years old generally have when they are in more comfortable circumstances. Meggie knew what it was to be hungry and tired, and though she worked with a will, and put her heart in it, she often wished she had more time for school, and was not so tired at nights. Besides she was her father's friend and companion, and shared all his thoughts. She knew all about the work stopping and the steam machinery, and the few orders that came to the Spitalfields weavers for velvet and silk fabrics, and Meggie's great longing was to do something that could earn money as well as save it. She knew how to mend, and turn, and patch her own clothes and her father's (and so did he, for he was very clever with his hands, and had taught Meggie many things), so as not to need many new ones, and yet be always tidy and clean ; but Meggie did long to earn some money, and really help her father, for she did not know all the help her love and cheerfulness were to him, though she knew he could not have lived without her. Karl had taught her well, and was himself a thoughtful, religious man; and if his religion was a little grave and sad, yet God was not forgotten in that poor room, and many earnest prayers went up to Him for help and blessing. And Karl thanked Him every day for his own darling treasure, his

Little Meggie. And Meggie too, had many things to thank Him for, and to ask for; but she always asked for her one great wish,_to help her father. But I have not told you all there was in that room yet, and it was something that was nearly as great a pet of Meggie's as she was of Karl's. But I must go back a little. Some three years before, an old German organplayer had come to the neighbourhood, and had lived near the Bernards for some time. But they had known nothing of each other, until one day Karl accidentally heard that the old man was to be turned out of his room for rent. It was Meggie who told him, and he forthwith fetched the old man and his few goods, and his organ, and made up a straw bed in the little cupboard o a room I told you of, opening into theirs. The old man's most precious possession was a German bull; finch, which was very tame, and could ipe several airs. Such a bird could É. been sold in London for two or three guineas; but the old man would have died almost rather than part with “Tony,” as he called the bird. For several months Karl and Meggie nursed and took care of him. Happily at that time Karl had been able to get nearl full work; and when the old man die. it was with a blessing on his lips for the kind friends he had found in his trouble, and leaving his little com: panion and friend, Tony, who had already become a favourite with both Karl and Meggie, to Meggie's care. And the bird had really become so wonderfully tame and accomplished, could do so many tricks, and sing so beautifully, that he was quite a companion to both father and daughter. And so they went on, loving and happy in one another, however hard the times were, or however little work Karl could get; for his steady, industrious habits and well-known honesty ensured him some work, though it was but little, as long as any was to be had anywhere. But a great trouble was coming, so great that had poor Karl, aye, or even | Meggie, with her more joyous and buoyant spirit, known of it before, they would have prayed to die rather than be so tried. And yet, as you shall see, this great sorrow brought many blessings with it, and was indeed a blessing in disguise, as so many of the sorrows which our loving Father sends us prove in the end to be. “Father,” said Meggie, one morning, “you'll have done that work to-day, and take it home, won't you?” “Yes, little one, but not till about eleven. I can’t be back at noon to see ou.” yo Well, then, father! I'll tell you what we'll do! I'll take a bit of bread with me, and stay between schools with old Alice Greaves, who is blind. I'll read a bit to her. You know, father, time is something to give, when one hasn't aught else; and I'll be home to meet you by five. It's a long way, and you'll hardly be back sooner, so I’ve got your dinner ready for you before you go. Good-bye, daddy, darling.” So Meggie kissed him, and went off to school. And Karl worked on silently, listening to Tony's piping, and thinking how dear and good Meggie was, and how thankful he was for her. And when the work was done, he started on the long, tedious walk to deliver it, and perhaps, as he hoped, get a fresh order. It was late in the afternoon before he returned, and when he entered the | room, tired and hot with his long walk, there was no Meggie. Could she be hiding? No! that was not Meggie's way. Somehow she and her father, having only each other, could not, even injest, frighten one another, and Meggie was always punctual and exact. When she said she would be at home, she never missed. Karl took the hat he had thrown off, and, full of miserable anxiety, started off to go to the school and learn about his darling ; but just at the door a quiet, neatly dressed man

[ocr errors]

met him, and asked if his name were Karl Bernard. “Yes! what do you want with me?” said poor Karl. “You have a little daughter. She has met with an accident l” The man could not go on, for poor Karl interrupted with, “Take me to her, quick As they went along, the compassionate hospital official, for such the man was, told Karl what he knew of the accident. How the little girl had been knocked down by a carriage, and carried to the nearest hospital. How much she was hurt was not known yet, beyond that one arm was broken. But she had been quite sensible, and told them where she lived, and how to find her father, and begged them to tell him kindly and gently; for “Father and I are all alone, and have none but each other.” Very quickly the two men walked, and presently got to the hospital, and Karl was taken into the ward where Meggie was, and along the rows of beds till he came to the one where lay all that he cared for on earth. What a meeting it was, between those two who had parted so short a time before They did not talk much, for poor little Meggie was too much hurt, and her father too unhappy, for many words; but she told him how kind all the people had been, and how kind the nurse was, and how a lady who was over the nurses had already been to see her; and then she begged him to bear up, for she should be better soon, and come back to him, and she should pray every morning and night to the good God to help them both to bear being parted. And parted they had to be very soon, for the nurse kindly told Karl he must not stay longer then, but that every day at the same hour he might come and see Meggie, and she would send him word if she wanted him particularly at any other time. (To be continued.)

[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic]
« IndietroContinua »