him with arrest and a long term in prison, for his share in
the robbery of little Bessie, made him sign away all claim to the
persons or services of his children. For when Mr. Raeburn came to see
the three little boys, he was so touched by their worse than heathenish
condition that he resolved to try to do something towards saving them,
as well as their more interesting sister.

Then he called at the office of the noble _Children's Aid Society_, and
placed the poor little street waifs under the protection of its
excellent officers, pledging himself for their clothing, instruction,
and support, till proper homes should be found for them.

I am glad to say, that, under kind Christian care, the poor little lads
improved rapidly, grew healthy and happy, and showed quite an eager
desire to learn. Before a year had passed, comfortable homes were
found for them in the West, where I believe they still are.

To return to Molly. The account of her dream-home and parents so
impressed Mr. and Mrs. Raeburn, that they put an advertisement in the
daily papers, stating that they had taken in a little street wanderer,
who had evidently been born in a happier and higher condition, and
begging any parents who may have had a little girl stolen from them,
eight or nine years before, to call, with the hope of identifying her.
But weeks, months went by, and no answer came, and Molly was not
claimed, except by a hideous old German organ-grinder, who could n't
prove property, so could n't take her away,--but took herself off,
scolding in very low Dutch.

That advertisement met many thousands of careless eyes, but not the
sad, yearning eyes to which it would have come like the message of
angels,--"Glad tidings of great joy." Those eyes were then gazing on
strange tropical scenes, on orange-groves and jessamine bowers, and on
the purple sea that washes the lovely shores of Florida.

All hope of finding Molly's _dream_-home being abandoned, her good
friends set about finding a _real_ home for her. At last, through the
Reverend C---- B----, the Chief Shepherd of the Lord's lost lambs in
the great wicked city, they succeeded. A farmer and his wife, good,
kindly, intelligent people, living pleasantly and comfortably near a
village among the hills of Berkshire, Massachusetts, offered to take
her to their home and hearts,--to adopt her as their own, for they were
childless.

Bessie was grieved at the prospect of being parted from her frien