"A FRIEND IN NEED."
ENRY lived in the great city of London. He was known as "the boy at the crossing." He used to sweep one of the crossings in Oxford Street. In wet weather these crossings are very muddy. Now and then some one would give him a penny for his work.
He did not make much in a day; but what he got was a great help to his mother. That thought kept him daily at his work. One day he saw a little girl trying to lead her little brother across the street. The carts and the horses made her afraid, and she ran back timidly.
"What's the matter, little girl?" asked Henry.
"I am afraid we shall be run over," said the girl.
"I'll help you across," said Henry. Then, lifting the little boy in his arms, he took the girl by the hand, and led her safely to the other side of the street.
"Thank you!" said the little girl; and "Thank you!" said her little brother, as plainly as he could speak it.
I went up and asked the boy with the broom if he knew the children. "I never saw them before in my life," said he; "but such little ones can't get across without help."
"You are a good boy," said I. "I think you must have a good father."
"I had one once," said he; "but now I have only a good mother."
"Well, Henry," said I, "give her this shilling, and tell her I send it to her for teaching her boy to do good when he can get a chance."
Tears came to the boy's eyes. A shilling seemed a good deal of money to him, and it pleased him all the more because it was given him for his mother.
"Thank you, sir; thank you!" said he, and he ran back to his work one of the happiest boys in London, I think, at that moment.
JANE OLIVER.
