the kind old lady at the poorhouse had taught him. Then while the rats and
mice played hide-and-seek in the room about him, his eyelids closed in
peaceful slumber.

We have heard that "there is nothing so bad that it could not have been
worse." For Edwin life seemed to be constantly growing more serious and
dark, but "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh upon
the heart" (I Sam. 16:7).



CHAPTER IV

FINDING FRIENDS

Oh! ask not, hope thou not too much
Of sympathy below;
Few are the hearts whence one same touch
Bids the sweet fountains flow.

--Mrs. Hemans.

The first morning for Edwin in his mother's home dawned clear and bright,
and as the soft gleams of brilliant sunlight shone in upon the coverlet of
his bed, he, who had been a poorhouse waif, opened his eyes and in
bewilderment gazed about the place. Suddenly he remembered some of the
events of the previous day, and especially the form of the "big man" and
that of the "woman," who, he had been told, was his mother. He remembered,
too, his decision to do all in his power to please both.