Aunt Jos Scrap-Bag, Vol. 5 | Page 8

that rolls between our world and the Islands of the Blest, to be
welcomed there, I am sure, by spirits as innocent as her own, leaving
behind her a very precious memory of her budding virtues and the
relics of a short, sweet life.
Every one mourned for her, and all her small treasures were so
carefully kept that they still exist. Poor Horta, in the pincushion
arm-chair, seems waiting patiently for the little mamma to come again;
the two rag-dolls lie side by side in grandma's scrap-book, since there is
now no happy voice to wake them into life; and far away in the convent
of San Antonio the orphans carefully keep their pretty gifts in memory
of the sweet giver. To them she is a saint now, not a fairy princess; for
when they heard of her death they asked if they might pray for the soul
of the dear little Americana, and the teacher said, "Pray rather for the
poor mother who has lost so much." So the grateful orphans prayed and
the mother was comforted, for now another little daughter lies in her
arms and kisses away the lonely pain at her heart.
* * * * *
The second small traveller I want to tell about lived in the same city as
the first, and her name was Maggie Woods. Her father was an
Englishman who came to America to try his fortune, but did not find it;
for, when Maggie was three months old, the great Chicago fire

destroyed their home; soon after, the mother died; then the father was
drowned, and Maggie was left all alone in a strange country.
She had a good aunt in England, however, who took great pains to
discover the child after the death of the parents, and sent for her to
come home and be cared for. It was no easy matter to get a five-years'
child across the Atlantic, for the aunt could not come to fetch her, and
no one whom she knew was going over. But Maggie had found friends
in Chicago; the American consul at Manchester was interested in the
case, and every one was glad to help the forlorn baby, who was too
young to understand the pathos of her story.
After letters had gone to and fro, it was decided to send the child to
England in charge of the captain of a steamer, trusting to the kindness
of all fellow-travellers to help her on her way.
The friends in Chicago bestirred themselves to get her ready, and then
it was that Annie's mother found that she could do something which
would have delighted her darling, had she been here to know of it. Laid
tenderly away were many small garments belonging to the other little
pilgrim, whose journeying was so soon ended; and from among all
these precious things Mrs. Percival carefully chose a comfortable outfit
for that cold March voyage.
The little gray gown went, and the red hood, the warm socks, and the
cosey wraps no longer needed by the quiet sleeper under the snow.
Perhaps something of her loving nature lingered about the clothes, and
helped to keep the orphan warm and safe, for Annie's great delight was
to pet and help all who needed comfort and protection.
When all was ready, Maggie's small effects were packed in a light
basket, so that she could carry it herself if need be. A card briefly
telling the story was fastened on the corner, and a similar paper
recommending her to the protection of all kind people, was sewed to
the bosom of her frock. Then, not in the least realizing what lay before
her, the child was consigned to the conductor of the train to be
forwarded to persons in New York who would see her safely on board
the steamer.

I should dearly like to have seen the little maid and the big basket as
they set out on that long trip as tranquilly as if for a day's visit; and it is
a comfort to know that before the train started, the persons who took
her there had interested a motherly lady in the young traveller, who
promised to watch over her while their ways were the same.
All went well, and Maggie was safely delivered to the New York
friends, who forwarded her to the steamer, well supplied with toys and
comforts for the voyage, and placed in charge of captain and
stewardess. She sailed on the 3d of March, and on the 12th landed at
Liverpool, after a pleasant trip, during which she was the pet of all on
board.
The aunt welcomed her joyfully, and the same day the child reached
her new home, the Commercial Inn, Compstall, after a journey of over
four thousand