THE CARNATION. 97 



to see the trembling hand of the blind old saint 

 pressed on the head of the deaf and dumb youth, 

 while she invoked the richest blessings of cove 

 nant grace on his path — already, and evidently 

 tending to an early grave. 



One peculiar characteristic marked that singular 

 dwelling : it was the zeal of both mother and 

 daughter for the soul of the idiot boy : his story 

 was very touching. His mother, led astray and 

 abandoned, had sought shelter there — had given 

 him birth — and died with every appearance of 

 having been led to Christ during her short but bit- 

 ter trial. The only connexion of either parent 

 who could do any thing for the babe, was asked 

 where he should be sent : ' Toss him behind the 

 fire !' was the savage reply ; and from that hour 

 he was cherished in the poverty-stricken abode of 

 faith and love ; receiving a most scanty dole from 

 the parish towards his support, with a weekly 

 threat of its withdrawal. ' And if they do,' said 

 the dame's estimable daughter, ' we can but trust 

 to the Lord, and go on. I am sure he has a soul, 

 and at times I see little gleams of sense in him ; 

 and I am sure that, poor sinful child of a sinful 

 race though he be, the blood of Jesus Christ can 

 save him too.' And then she clasped her arm 

 round him, and earnestly talked to him of the love 

 of Christ ; observing, ' How do I know but that 

 he understands more than he can express !' 



9 



