saying as she did so: "Ed, you wretched child! Is that all you've learned
at the poorhouse? What are those little old stones good for, anyway? And to
think you'd dare to accuse Elmer of stealing them!"

The beating that Edwin received was far worse than the one given him the
day before, and in the evening when he laid his little tired and aching
body upon the bed beside his cousin, he wondered why he was forced to
suffer and bear the punishment that rightfully belonged to some one else,
but he did not complain or feel unkindly toward those who justly deserved
the blame.

When at last he fell asleep, God sent angels to minister to the needs of
the little forlorn child, and they cared for him tenderly while he slept.

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up"
(Psa. 27: 10).

"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an
evil-doer" (1 Pet. 4: 15).



CHAPTER VI

THE STRANGE VISITOR

How shall I ever go through this rough world!
How find me older every setting sun!
How merge my boyish heart in manliness!