Golden Moments | Page 3

very cruel. Uncle Rupert
says he could not tell me the dreadful things that they did to some of
the poor English soldiers, but he told me what they did to him, and
though it was dreadful it was rather funny too. Listen, Pussy! They
made a big cage, only it wasn't nearly big enough, and they shut Uncle
up in it, and slung it on a big stick, and carried him about as a show to
all the towns and villages. It was very hot, and Uncle was so cramped
up in the cage that he could hardly move, and he was very hungry and
thirsty, and very, very miserable. The people used to come and stare at
him, and tease him by poking nice fruit through the bars, and then
snatching it away before he could eat it. Uncle Rupert said he longed to
die; but he said one thing, Pussy, which I must always remember, only
I'm afraid you won't understand this. He told me how glad he was that
when he was a little boy his mother had taught him a great many texts
and hymns. They all came into his mind then, and they comforted him
very much, and made him remember that God was near him, even in
the cage. So he was patient, and at last he was saved, for some English
soldiers marched to the village, and the Chinese ran away and left the
cage behind them, and you may be sure the soldiers soon got Uncle

Rupert out.
[Illustration: GOOD NIGHT.]
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A THANKOFFERING.
Ada Fortescue was recovering from a long and dangerous illness, and
for the last week she had been able to lie on a sofa near the window,
and see the people passing through the street as they trudged on their
way to the city. Ada was twelve years old; and as she lay on her sofa
she had many thoughts, some very serious, but most were happy and
grateful.
Ada was Dr. Fortescue's only child, and her mother had been dead for
eight years. During her illness Ada had often seen how grave her father
looked, but now his thankfulness brought tears into her eyes. It was so
nice to be loved so very much, thought Ada.
To-day a very absorbing thought was in her mind, and she looked up
and down the street with more than usual interest. That morning her
father had told her that he had put aside a sum of money as a
thankoffering for her recovery, and she might choose the way in which
it should be spent. What should she do? Ada thought of the
missionaries far away, of the new church close by, of the hospital, and
the orphanage.
At that moment a noise in the street attracted her attention. A man was
loudly scolding a little boy, who was crying bitterly. The boy looked
pale and tired; and Ada felt very sorry for him, so she opened the
window to hear what was the matter. The man had come out of his
shop, and was saying angrily, "Do you think I have nothing to do but
give glasses of water to every vagabond who goes by? Be off with you,
and don't stand there crying and making a crowd collect," for some of
those who were passing had paused to find out what was the matter.
Ada rang the bell and sent the maid out to the little boy, who came

thankfully for some water, only the water was nearly all milk, and there
was a bun and a piece of bread for him besides. What a happy little boy
he felt, and what a happy little girl was Ada as she met her father at the
door of her room, saying, "I know, I know! a drinking fountain, father!"
At first Dr. Fortescue could not understand what she meant, but when
she explained he thought it was a very good idea.
Some months later when Ada had a bad cold and was up in her room
once more, it amused her to watch her drinking fountain, which was in
the opposite wall, and see all the people who drank at it, and she was
very glad when one day she recognized the little boy who had first put
the idea of a drinking fountain into her head. He had a roll in his hand,
and wore a nice tidy suit of clothes; and when Ada sent the maid to
inquire after him she heard that he was on the way to see his mother
with a quarter's wages in his pocket, for he had got a good place and
meant to do all he could to keep it.
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ONLY AN OLD COAT.
A TRUE STORY OF A FAITHFUL DOG.