A Peep Behind the Scenes

hicker. How dismal the fair looked then! On Saturday evening it had been brilliantly lighted with rows of flaring naphtha-lights; and th

othing to cast a halo round the dirty, we

with great interest at the half-covered whirligigs and bicycles, peeping curiously into the deserted shows,

at the weather, murmuring at having to pay so much for the ground on which their

evidently no idler in the fair; he had come into it that Sunday afternoon for a definite purpose, and he did not intend to leave it until

u could see two small muslin curtains, tied up with pink ribbon. No one came to open the door when the old

there's a little lass in the

her?' said one of the

house would move about, and had little w

gh at the children's talk, and r

peered cautiously out. It was a very pretty little face, s

some one within, and asking leave to admit the visitor; for a minute afterwards

pearance. Her hair, which was of a rich auburn colour, was hanging down to her w

she shivered as the damp, cold ai

my little dear,'

coughing from within caused her to look round, and wh

; it's so cold; ask who

invitation; he stepped inside the ca

ething like a berth on board ship, and on it a woman was lying who was evidently very ill. She was the child's mo

n roof, a few pans, a shelf containing cups and saucers, and two boxes which served as seats, completely filled it. T

lf on one of the boxes c

olite bow; 'but I'm so fond of little folks, and I've brought thi

his promised gift. She seized it eagerly, and held it up before her with eviden

e in his bosom a lost lamb. The lamb's fleece was torn in several places, and there were marks

lood was falling in large drops on the ground. Yet he did not seem to mind it; his face was full of love

s, who were coming to meet him, and underneath the

ch was lost. There is joy in the presence of th

clear, distinct voice; and her mother ga

ords, ain't they?'

ith a sigh; 'I have hear

ver called the bright angels together and said to them of you

ng came on, and the old man stood lookin

ll, ma'am, I'm

the woman bitterly; 'e

ust

ther,' said t

nd act in the play, just as usual. I did try at the last place we went to;

ing about, ma'am,' said t

up to. I was brought up to a very different kind of life from this,' she sai

the move, ma'am?'

r; and then we let ourselves out to some of the small town theatres; but all the rest of th

ng sensation appeared to have seized him, for he cleared his

the shelf which ran round the top of the caravan. From this she took two pins, and fasten

aid the little girl; 'mammie,

k of that Good Shepherd who is seeking you. He wants to find you, and take you up in His arms,

, maybe, never see you again; but I would lik

he other shows, to which he was carrying the same message of peace. She looked out from between the muslin curtains

ty picture, isn't

and crept on tiptoe to her side, fearful of waking her. But she found he

y stroking her hand very gently, and saying, 'Mammie dear, mammie dear, d

By degrees her mother grew calmer, the sobs became less frequent, and, to the little girl's joy, she fell asleep. Rosalie sat beside her without moving, lest she should

ch was lost. There is joy in the presence of the