The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher | Page 5

Sometimes some crusts or stale
biscuits were given them, and with these they would scamper away to
the pump to moisten the bread before dividing it. It sometimes
happened that there was not sufficient bread for each child to have even
a bit, and when it happened thus, Edwin always gave his share to some
one else. And when asked if he would like some certain thing, his
answer was always, "If no one else wants it."
Because of his thoughtfulness he was often obliged, because of the
selfishness of others, to eat foods that had been rejected as refuse, but
in his heart he never complained nor felt that he had not acted wisely.
Thus, the Golden Rule, although in words unknown to him, became a
governing principle in his life.
When the days were pleasant and warm during the summer months,
groups of men and women often gathered about upon the large platform
that surrounded the pump, or under the shade of an apple-tree, to
prepare the vegetables for the table or the fruits for the coming winter's

use. As little was known at that time about home canning, the fruits
were usually dried in the sun or in the large ovens after the baking was
done. The children loved to gather about the groups at work to keep
close watch for stray bunches of berries or raw potatoes and turnips,
that might be carelessly dropped. In this they were now and then
successful, but the rounds of Mrs. Engler were frequent, and for several
reasons the workers were particular that nothing be lost or wasted.
Instead of horses, heavy teams of oxen were used for all farming
purposes. These animals, although faithful and trusty under ordinary
circumstances, did not like to have children playing about their feet;
and as there was no one to pay especial attention to the little ones, it
sometimes happened that a child was either crippled or killed by the
hoofs or horns of the powerful animals. On one occasion Edwin saw
one of his playmates bruised and trampled in this way.
These scenes, as well as the regular rounds of the chore-boy Jim with
his water-yoke upon his shoulders, carrying either water for the home
or slop for the pigs, were sights that were common and in many cases
interesting to Edwin. But from them he could learn practically nothing
of the things that he would need before he could become a useful man
in the world. Aside from a few instructions that were given them in
hard labor, the poorhouse children were allowed to grow up as a flock
of poorly fed chickens or animals. They were given their rations, a
place to sleep, and that was about all.
The daily routine of the almshouse from year to year was little changed.
Some passed on to their reward in the beyond, but the general order of
things remained the same. The steward and his wife were busy from
early dawn until late at night looking after everything and everybody,
but many of the things of vital importance had to be neglected for a
lack of sufficient time and strength.
"Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is
perverse in his ways, though he be rich" (Prov. 28:6).

CHAPTER III
FROM BAD TO WORSE
"What bliss is born of sorrow! 'Tis never sent in vain-- The heavenly
Surgeon maims to save, He gives no useless pain."
--Watt.
Something more than six years had passed since the departure of Mrs.
Fischer from the county poor-house, but still the place was little
changed. Mr. Engler was once more in the office of the institution. This
time he was there to interview a stranger concerning the child Edwin.
There was still the same strong odor of nicotine in the room, and the
furniture and the condition of the walls and the floor still told of much
want and wretchedness, as well as of habits that were unclean; but
apparently as little heed was given to the fact by the stranger as had
been manifested by the selfish mother.
It seems that the word that Mrs. Fischer was receiving generous
pensions both for herself and for the support of her children had been
carried to the board that governed the affairs of the poorhouse. Finding
that none of the amount had been paid into that institution, orders had
been issued to the effect that Mrs. Fischer must either pay for the
support of her child or take him away from the almshouse. Having
received a notice from Mr. Engler of the board's decision, she had
decided to have him brought to her own home, and the stranger was no
other than the boy's own uncle. He had come with horse and buggy, at