must not try. If people will force their children on the charity of the
community, they must take the consequences."

The constant work and worry incident to caring for so many poor,
disheartened people was indeed great, and Mr. Engler was right when he told
his wife that she already had too much work to do; but it was very hard for
her to think of the neglect that the poor little child would undergo even
while its mother was there, for such a heartless woman could not be
expected to do her duty. As the days and weeks glided by, it was as Mrs.
Engler had feared, and the cruel manner in which the babe was handled was
pitiful to behold. But scolding and criticizing the mother did neither the
mother nor the child any good, and Mrs. Engler endeavored to forget about
the matter and to let the baby get along as well as it could.

When at last the seven months had expired and the day for the departure of
Mrs. Fischer had arrived, the woman who had so disgraced the name of
motherhood was glad. The pretty costume of black was faded and worn, and
the glossy hair was tangled and unkempt, but within the eye the light of
evil was shining brighter than ever. It was indeed a glad moment for her
when she heard the chains about her ankles clanking heavily upon the floor
and she knew that she was once more a free woman and could go and do as she
pleased. And without a thought for the comfort or a plan for the future of
her helpless child, she left him to the generosity of the people.

It truly might seem that the young life was blighted, but there was One far
better than mother, brother, or sister who cared and was ready to lend a
helping hand.

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good"
(Prov. 15:3).