re painting of a beautiful little girl, and on the back was
written:

"'Our darling! three years old to-day.'

"It was a lovely, angelic face. The boy was fascinated, spellbound by
it. Long he gazed. He grew very uneasy. His bosom heaved convulsively.
There were signs of violent emotion, and then burst forth the words:

"'I have not stolen it. Who says so? I found it!'

"Again he looks almost wildly at the picture; then whispers hoarsely:

"'She says, "Thou shall not steal!" Can this be stealing? No--no, it
is not. It is luck. I am growing nervous from long fasting. Oh,
Heavens, how hungry I am! Bread, bread! I must have bread or die!'

"Taking out a few small coins, he closed the pocketbook, putting the
little miniature in his bosom; then walked as swiftly as his failing
strength would allow; reached, and was about to enter, an
eating-house. At the door, he hesitated; and, drawing forth the little
picture, looked again at the baby-face. Now, to his eye, she has grown
older; and the face is so sad, with such an appealing look, which
speaks to his inmost heart.

"The blue eyes were no longer the laughing ones of childhood; but,
oh! yes, it was really so--his mother's lovely, sad face was before
him! The same sweet, quivering lips, which seemed whispering so
earnestly:

"'Thou shalt not steal!'

"Thrusting the picture back to its hiding-place, he sank exhausted
from violent emotion and extreme weakness down on the stone steps.

"Oh, the terrible struggle that was going on in that young breast!

"The tearing pangs of hunger, the sharp stinging thrusts of conscience
were warring for the victory. Oh, those who have never known the pangs
of hunger can but poorly imagine that fearful struggle. At last, thank
God! Conscience triumphed. Honesty was victor.

"Bursting into tears, he murmured:

"'God forgive, and have mercy! Mother--little angel-girl smile on me!'

"He returned the coin to the book, and clasping it tightly, replaced
it in his pocket.

"'I will not touch one cent; and in the morning, if I live so long, I
will find some means to restore it to the owner--all but the little
picture--that angel-child has saved me, and I must keep her to watch
over me in the future.'

"Slowly he arose, and was proceeding along the street, thinking he
could at least return and sleep in the depot, when a loud noise
attracted his attention.

"A horse came dashing furiously along the street, drawing after him a
buggy i