In a dark and dismal alley, where the sunshine never came, dwelt a little lad named Billy, sickly, delicate and lame. He was never ever healthy. He had lain since he was born, dragging out his weak existence, hopeless, helpless and forlorn. He was six years old, was Billy, and 'twas just five years ago, since his drunken mother dropped him, leaving Billy crippled so. He has never known the comfort of a mother's tender care. All she did was curse and beat him, making his pain worse to bear. There he lay within the cellar, from the morning until night, cursed, neglected, starved, ill treated. None to make his dull life bright. Not a single friend to love him, not a single thing to love, for he knew not of the Saviour, or of Heaven up above.

'Twas a quiet summer evening, and the alley, too, was still. Billy's little heart was sinking, and he felt so lonely--'til up the quiet, shady alley, coming inward from the street, came the sound of someone singing, sounding oh, so clear and sweet. Eagerly did Billy listen as the singing, closer came. Oh, he longed to see the singer. How he wished he wasn't lame. . . Then he called and shouted loudly 'til the singer heard the sound. And she turned and went toward it, 'though she had been homeward bound. 'Twas a maiden, rough and ragged, hair unkempt and naked feet. All her garments torn and dirty, her appearance far from neat.

"So you called me," said the maiden. "Wonder what you want of me? Most folks call me 'Singing Bessie.' What may your name chance to be?"

"My name's Billy. I'm a cripple, and I want to hear you sing, for it makes me feel so happy. Sing me something--anything."

And then Bessie answered smiling. "I can't stay here very long, but I'll sing a Hymn to please you; one I call the 'Glory Song'." So she sang to him of Heaven: pearly gates, and streets of gold, where the happy angel-children are not starved or nipped with cold. But where happiness and gladness never can decrease nor end. It is where Christ reigns King Eternal, and where time will never end.

Oh how Billy's eyes did glisten, as he took in every word, as it fell from Singing Bessie. Was it true what he had heard? And so anxiously he asked her, "Is there really such a place?" And a tear began to trickle down his pale and piqued face.

"Yes there is," she said to Billy, "It is high above the sky, and if you will love your Saviour, you will go there when you die."

Then said Billy, "Tell me Bessie, how can I the Saviour love, when I'm down here in this cellar, and He's up in Heaven above?"

So the ragged little maiden, who had heard at Sunday School, all about the way to Heaven, and the Christian's golden rule, taught the little cripple Billy how to love and how to pray. Then she sang a song of Jesus, kissed his cheek and went away.

Billy lay within the cellar, which had grown so dark and cold, thinking all about the children in the streets of shining gold. And he minded not the darkness of that damp and chilly room, for the joy in Billy's bosom, could get rid of darkest gloom. "Oh, if I could only see it!" thought the cripple as he lay. "Bessie said that Jesus listens, so I think I'll try and pray." So he put his hands together, and he closed his little eyes; and in wonder, deep and earnest, sent his message to the skies.

"Gentle Jesus, please forgive me, as I didn't know before, that you cared for little cripples, who are weak and very poor. And I never heard of Heaven, 'til that Bessie came today. Yes, she told me all about it, so I thought I'd try and pray. You can see me, can't you Jesus? Bessie told me that you could. And I somehow must believe it, for it seems so true and good. And she told me if I loved You, I would see You when I die, in the bright and happy Heaven, that is up beyond the sky. Lord, I'm only just a cripple, and I'm no use here below, for I heard my mother whisper she'd be glad if I would go. And I'm cold and hungry sometimes, and I feel so lonely, too. Can't you take me, gentle Jesus, up to Heaven, there with You? Oh! I'd be so good and patient, and I'd never cry or fret; and Your kindness to me, Jesus, I would surely not forget. I would love you all I know of, and I'd never make a noise. Can't you find me just a corner, where I'll watch the other boys?. . . Oh! I think You'll do it, Jesus. Something seems to tell me so; for I feel so good and happy, and I do so want to go. How I long to see You, Jesus, and the children all so bright. Come and fetch me, won't You Jesus? Come and fetch me home tonight."

And then Billy ceased his praying. He had told his heart's desire. And he waited for an answer, 'til his head began to tire. Then he turned toward his corner, and lay huddled in a heap, closed his little eyes so gently, and was quickly fast asleep.

Oh! I wish that every scoffer could have seen his little face, as he lay there in the corner of that dark and dirty place. For his countenance was shining, like an Angel's--fair and bright. And it seemed to fill the cellar, with a Holy, heavenly light. He had only heard of Jesus from a ragged singing girl. He might well have wondered, doubted, 'til his head began to whirl. But he took it as she told it, and believed it then and there; simply trusting in the Saviour and His kind and loving care.

In the morning when the mother came to wake her crippled boy, she discovered that his features wore a look of sweetest joy. And she shook him somewhat roughly, but the cripple's face was cold.... He had gone to join the children in the streets of shining gold.

Billy's prayer had soon been answered, and the angel, "Death", had come to remove him from the cellar to his bright and Heavenly home.

Now he's wrapped in warmth and comfort. Joy cannot decrease, nor end. There, Christ Jesus reigns eternally, and the time will never end.