Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-12-22

THE POOR STRAWBERRY BOY. I
/ On fine morning in the summer I
iSiS.sa handsome but poorly dressed bow
i called AZ 'the-door of rich mansion /
L------e square. in New York city. an
offered some baskets Of strawberries 70
sale, Having disposed Of the fruit, he wa
about To- depart. when his attention wa,
arresiedsby tie appearance Of a beautiful
/ girl. some twelve years old, who crosse,
the hall near the door. She was the onl,
daughter Of the gentleman Of the house
and though he gazed on her but sinrl,
moment. the kind look which she bestow.
| ed on him. struck : chord Ia his hear
which until that moment, had never vibra.
ted. IS q s..g s.8 ss8
She is very lovely !. he exclaimed
mentally, but she is the daughter of the
great millionaire she can be nothing to
me-
He returned to the fields in search Of
more fruit, but the remembrance of that
sunny face attended him closely in his
>rambles.
! am young he continued to himself,
- would | could make myself worthy of
her, and this thought though it did not
Danish the feeling, hushed it.
A week had passed and the little straw
berry boy again stood with a paliatine
heart, at the rich mans door. His fruit
was purchased as before, and he received
his money from the white hand Of the fair
being whom from the moment he first saw
her, he had dared to love. She spoke
kindly 10 him and babe him call again.
He did no; forget the order. He called
again but the season was advancing, and
the fruit had become scarcity. !
l shall not be able to bring you any
MORE he said one morning. i am sorry,
for it was pleasure for me 10 call here.
But we meet hereafter
The young heart that futtered in the
bosom Of that young girl was touched a.
the musical, tbougfi somewhat melancho-
Iy tone in which this was uttered, and she
timidIy replied that she would remember
him.
I'VE shall meet again, Miss, when l
promise you, you shall not be ashamed to
acknowledge the acquaintance of the poor,
She thought he language singular Bur
they parted.
Three years elapsed. The tide of spec
ulation which was then swelling in our
country, had not reached the food.' Il the
man Of wealth. with his beautiful daughter
rolled in his elegant carriage along Broad
way, upon fine Sabbath morning on
their way TO Trinity church. Charlotte
was Just turned TO SIXTEEN and the
bright bud was just changing to the open
rose.
She was fair indeed.
The service had ended-the magnificent
carriage stood at the church door; the ell
eganGy caparisoned horses paved the
ground uneasily-a liveried footman held
the door-and the wealthy merchant ham
ded his lovely daughter to the coach,
amid the low obedience of her gay admi>
rers.
Why does she not observe The homage
Of her thousand butterfly admirers.
A young, plainly dressed stranger stands
quietly at the side of the church door. and
her gaze for moment is riveted on his
features.
Who can it be - she remembers-no
she cannot remember.
The carriage rolls slowly towards the
stately mansion of the man of wealth, and
he discovers an uncommon quietnes in his
daughters demeanor.
My dear Charlotte, you are ill.,
mo, father, mol am-very WE'LL
They arrive at the door-,he stranger
was there. They alight-he extends a
slight-a very slight-but respectfui bow
to the heiress,' and moves on.1
A blush tinges that bright cheek; she
recognizes him.
Charlotte retired to her chamber; she
was unhappy-but surely the stranger
was nothing to her, or she to him.
1t was the poor Strawberry Boy.
Time rolled on. It was the coolest
night Of the uncommon cold winter of IS
land the memorable 10th Of December.
A FIRE had broken out in the evening-in
one Of the principal streets of the business
part of the great metropolis. 1t ragged vi
olently, and at early morning on the sue
ceeding day, a great portion Of the city lay
| in ashes.
The rich merchants was his won't
alighted from his carriage at the head Of
| Wall street, and saw the ruins. He has
tened to the scene. Where was his store
his goods-his all The Wondering ru-
! ms before him answered. But he was in
sured-he should save something at least.
Ills policies were looked after during the
day--,hey had expired week previously.
The millionaire was comparatively q