For this journey there was needed no preparation but a little white gown , a coverlet of flowers , and the casket where the treasure of many hearts was tenderly laid away . All alone , but not afraid , little Annie crossed the unknown sea that rolls between our world and the Islands of the Blest , to be welcomed there , I am sure , by spirits as innocent as her own , leaving behind her a very precious memory of her budding virtues and the relics of a short , sweet life . Every one mourned for her , and all her small treasures were so carefully kept that they still exist . Poor Horta , in the pincushion arm-chair , seems waiting patiently for the little mamma to come again ; the two rag-dolls lie side by side in grandma 's scrap-book , since there is now no happy voice to wake them into life ; and far away in the convent of San Antonio the orphans carefully keep their pretty gifts in memory of the sweet giver . To them she is a saint now , not a fairy princess ; for when they heard of her death they asked if they might pray for the soul of the dear little Americana , and the teacher said , `` Pray rather for the poor mother who has lost so much . '' So the grateful orphans prayed and the mother was comforted , for now another little daughter lies in her arms and kisses away the lonely pain at her heart . * * * * * The second small traveller I want to tell about lived in the same city as the first , and her name was Maggie Woods . Her father was an Englishman who came to America to try his fortune , but did not find it ; for , when Maggie was three months old , the great Chicago fire destroyed their home ; soon after , the mother died ; then the father was drowned , and Maggie was left all alone in a strange country . She had a good aunt in England , however , who took great pains to discover the child after the death of the parents , and sent for her to come home and be cared for . It was no easy matter to get a five-years ' child across the Atlantic , for the aunt could not come to fetch her , and no one whom she knew was going over . But Maggie had found friends in Chicago ; the American consul at Manchester was interested in the case , and every one was glad to help the forlorn baby , who was too young to understand the pathos of her story . After letters had gone to and fro , it was decided to send the child to England in charge of the captain of a steamer , trusting to the kindness of all fellow-travellers to help her on her way . The friends in Chicago bestirred themselves to get her ready , and then it was that Annie 's mother found that she could do something which would have delighted her darling , had she been here to know of it . Laid tenderly away were many small garments belonging to the other little pilgrim , whose journeying was so soon ended ; and from among all these precious things Mrs. Percival carefully chose a comfortable outfit for that cold March voyage . The little gray gown went , and the red hood , the warm socks , and the cosey wraps no longer needed by the quiet sleeper under the snow . Perhaps something of her loving nature lingered about the clothes , and helped to keep the orphan warm and safe , for Annie 's great delight was to pet and help all who needed comfort and protection . When all was ready , Maggie 's small effects were packed in a light basket , so that she could carry it herself if need be . A card briefly telling the story was fastened on the corner , and a similar paper recommending her to the protection of all kind people , was sewed to the bosom of her frock . Then , not in the least realizing what lay before her , the child was consigned to the conductor of the train to be forwarded to persons in New York who would see her safely on board the steamer . I should dearly like to have seen the little maid and the big basket as they set out on that long trip as tranquilly as if for a day 's visit ; and it is a comfort to know that before the train started , the persons who took her there had interested a motherly lady in the young traveller , who promised to watch over her while their ways were the same .
All went well , and Maggie was safely delivered to the New XXXXX friends , who forwarded her to the steamer , well supplied with toys and comforts for the voyage , and placed in charge of captain and stewardess .
Annie Atlantic Chicago England Maggie York casket day fire old