ONE OF GOD’S LITTLE HEROES.

New Zealand Graphic, 24 December 1891, Page 22

ONE OF GOD’S LITTLE HEROES.

(A TRUE INCIDENT.)

THE patter of feet was on the stair. As the editor turned in bis sanctum chair. And said—for weary the day had been—- ‘ Don’t let another intruder in.’

But scarce had he uttered the words, before A face peered in at the half-closed door, And a child sobbed out— ‘ Sir, mother said I should come and tell you, that Dan is dead.’

‘ And pray who is “ Dan ” ’’—The streaming eyes Looked questioning up, with a strange surprise ; —■* Not know him ? —Why, sir, all day he sold ’ The papers you print through wet and cold,

• The newsboys say that they could not tell The reason his stock went off so well : I knew !—With his voice so sweet and low, Could any one bear to say him “ No ?”

‘ And the money he made, whatever it be. He carried straight home to mother and me No matter about his rags, he said, if only he kept us clothed and fed.

* And he did it, sir—trudging through rain and cold. Nor stopped till the last of his sheets were sold ; But he’s dead —he’s dead ! and we miss him so ! And mother—she thought you might like to know.’

—ln the paper, next morning, as ‘ leader,’ ran A paragraph thus—* The newsboy, Dan, One of God’s little heroes, who Did nobly the duty he had to do, — For mother and sister earning bread, By patient endurance and toil—is dead.’

Margaret J. Preston.