The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-11-18
MtsrelIauenWS.
From The PhiiGdeiphia Saturday Epcning Po5t.
THE PURSE:
AN A MI RICAN TALE.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER 1.
II was n clear, cold, sunshine Christmas moru-
ing in Phladep hia-Chrismas, merry Christmas!
-Chestnut street was thronged with people whose
faces bcamed with happiness, and whose hearts
leaped with JOY, JOY not the lens, abatcd by The
thrilling peas, which ever and anon runs out from
Christ Church bells. The odd the Young, the ,ch
md the poor, were all mingled together in the gay
thoToushlare. All classes and conditions seemed
to have thrown aside care, determined to enjoy
bnhe Christmas with unaI!oyed felicity.
Perhaps It was thus being engrossrd 50 much with
peasnrr, more than hard hcarciness, that cnus.
"a the gay groups who were going TO and fro, 10
disregard the earnest appeals made to their sympa-
'h'es BY, young lad, apparently uhou, fifteen
years o' age, whr was vending his way through
me 'hIong' enrealns them 10 beslow upon him a
trlile for his poor m0hlr
lie was slender lad and seemed 10 he quite
delicale. Notwithstanding the poorncss Of his mp.
peal, there was liz appearance Of vugarl,y about
HIN, on the contrary his every action was full of
genilness and grace. There was something inter-
einig in him. His features were regular and inI,
cut, ms brow broad and open: his eyes iey black
and his eyebrows delicalcy arched seemed like
pcnr'llngs upon his clear white skin. There was
no bloom upon his cheeks, rs usual in youth, and
shade Of melancholy res;ch upon his lace which
told that, slough young he knew sorrow
Poor lad! he wandered along several sgnurs seek
ins in vain 10 airGsl The attention Of some one of
the busy crowd, but they all passed him by un-
needing. The merry laugh, and Joyous tones fell
harsIy upon his enr; he could not shane in them.
AN hearts are light hut NINE nurnurei he, and
the tears started in his eyes He wpel them a.
way, and proceeded on little firher but with no
better success.
wi, nil e., I,,L, \
scanlv, he was about to tnrn into II cross street in
dispair. Suddenly, however, he stopped, and ap-
pcared 10 hesitate.
Poor molheh said he TO himself she will
s,arve No, must no' 90 home. Twill try again.
Al TIA, moment he looked up, aud saw three
youn, glls, one about his own age, aud the other
two llIlle older, standing before shop window,
adnirlng the variety If articles exposed there for
sale A new thought seemed to haze sl,uck him.
Hitherto he applied to gentleman and ladies' ,nnw
he hethOughl him that those of hs own years would
lend more willing ear. Accordingly licapproach.
ed them and inSlinrivc'y addressed himself to the
youngest. Whether II was the benevolent cy-
prosSon of her face, with It's mid blue eyes 80 dir-
ierent from the naughty appearance Of the two
dark eyed gIrIs who were hen conpinions, or
whether il was because she was nearer hi4 uwn
uge that he first accos,cd her, ne sca.ce knew.
win you please 10 give me few cents, Miss
to buy some food Tor my poor sick mother = said
he with downcnst eyes.
no doat, Gertrude said tho eldest Of the
other Two, looking scornIully upon him and Then nd
dressing him she added, I'VE haven't got any thinr
10 give away; we want all Of our money!
DO, pray do said tie lad impornuly. INV
father is dead; my poor mother is sick and she has
no fire TO keep her from freezing this cold wealth.
er, nor has she any thing 10 eat Only few
cents.
q will give him some, Jane said Gertrude to
the one who had spoken, wouldn't, YOU Louise y
she continued turning TO the other, as the tears
glisened in her eyes.
you may if you choose, answered Lopisc, Il
shall not
Neither will H. said jane.
But his sick MOTHER said Gertrude.
pooh. | hope you dom, believe that story. He
inst wants to get some pennies lha, he may pitch
penny with some other had boys about the streets.
As she spoke she turned around, and berin TO
examine the article in the shop window.
Indeed do not tell You n lir,' said the bo,
warmly, fearing she nigh, be influenced by the
examples of her companions, indeed do mol
Oh do not refuse me. My poor, poor noher-I
fear she will die before get home She has had
nothing 10 eat these two days.
The kind hearted girl could moi Withstand the an.
peals Of the shuddering boy, made rs thew were IN
such pilfu tones, and taking her purse from her
bag she pu,i in his hands
Take this said she, my uncle gave il 10 mo
this morning TO spend for Christmas things. bu, I
can do yer, well without them. Run home with
il quick, and make YOU mare comfortable. if no,
merry, on this Christmas day The boy he,ila-
ted
May be your uncle will DO angry, Miss said
he.
No. no. she answered, she gave it 10 me To
spend as choose. and now choose to give il TO
you. Hasten with il home
God bless you' God bless yon. he exclaimed
as the Tears Of gratitude courscd each other down
his cheeks. May you never wan, bread as we
have done
lie would have thanked her more, but The
thought of his starving mother came across his
mind. aud leaving them he was soor out of sight.
What Ounce you arc, Gertrude, said Jane, so
go and give him all your money! Now you arc
acne purchasing