Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-09-27
From the Social Monitor.
THE NEGLECTED OPPORTUNITY.
BY MISS JULIA A. FLETCHER.


In the front parlor of pleasant dwelling
in Philadelphia, were gathered group of
young persons who seemed determined to
enjoy the present, whatever sorrow might be
reposing in the future. Mrs Talbot the la
dy of the house, herself still young and love-
ly, was conversing gaily with her guests,
while her sister, maiden Of twenty, was re-
Ginning on low ottoman, engaged in ANNA
ted sports with her infant neice. 1t was
pleasant TO witness the fond pride of the
young mother, as ever and anon amid the
conversation, she turned TO look at the per-
formances of her peued one, for the infant
was certainly las tie infant always isl ga
very remarkable child )" she could clap her
tiny hands, and laugh for auntie - she
could bow how dye do to the company,
and had plenty of 'ah DOS when the mai
den disengaged her luxurant curls from her
grasp.
Their somewhat noisy sport was interrupt
ed by low knock at the basement door,
Some one for cold vctuals, suppose SAID
the young lady; Il declare those beggars
are a constant trouble; one cannot walk the
streets without being accosted at almost ev-
cry step with Give me penny, to buy
loaf of bread think it is wrong to give
to such people,
There is no one below, said Mrs. Tai
bot.-'Perhaps, Adele, you had better raise
the window, and tell her no. il will save
trouble
Adele raised the sash, and glanced out,
but the refusal died away upon her lips, as
she met the upturned look of the beggar
child The simple sadness of the appeal,
Have you any cold victuals TO spare?' ut
tered in that plaintive, chiIdlike tone, had
entirely swept aTay her scruples about CIV
ing to such people, and with a kindly-ut-
tered yes, dear, wait moment, she closed
the window, and hastily left the ROOM
In short time she returned, and was re-
ceived by her friends with many laughing
observations upon her want of consistency.
%, but this was not common beggar, do
assure YOU said she, earnestly, never
saw prettier child in my life.'
Then beauty is an advantage, even TO a
beggsr girl 2 said Mrs Talbot
Certainly it is, sister, replied Adele,
laughing, you do not think | would have
gone down there rummaging the closet, and
clearing the kitchen of cold victuaIs for a
homely child, hope. But, really, she was
pery interesting; she had the pre,tiest blue
eyes imaginable, just like little Elias here,
only more sad Then, 200. she was dressed
so neatly; her soft curling hair and delicate
complexion were protected by a little white
sun-bonnet, aud even her old patched frock
looked as neat as possible.
Really, sister, you have grown as elo-
quent in defence, as you were few mo-
ments since in opposition, You are so fond
of pets, you had better adopt her and make
her your protege at once
We'll, if did, said Adele, perhaps il
would be the best act Of my life only Ella
would be jealous, she added, caressing The
lovely infant. But why not you, sister p
You want little girl to help mind Ella, ant
this child seems Just gentle enough for suci
task
! Yes, said Mrs Talbot musingly, but
should not want street beggar.'
Your own child may be street begga
sometime said Adele, with startling ear
nestness. Besides, | do not believe thi
! little girl is accustomed to begging; if sh,
: was she would not be so timid and she die
: not have great basket, to be filed with al
> sorts of trash. She had neat little baske
; which she carried under her arm, entirel
concealed by her shawl She asked me, too
, with such low voice, half shrinking from
J, the words as though they were new~ro her
and seemed so grateful that filled her bias
} ket, that she might not have TO go any wher
o else'
You have so many romantic plans, AID
: ellie, replied Mrs Talbot that / hardl
know what 10 think but you can make in
/ quiries about this girl if you wish, and il sh
is really half what you think, we will Sc
i what can be done for her.
Alas for Adele, as her sister had saiC
she had so many romantic plans, that he
i friends seldom expected them to be carrie
into action. She was one of those genel
? GUS dreamers, who, if half the good deed
they are continually proposing were perfo
7. med, would be the most useful beings in tn
world. Yet it was not Incidence whic
Z caused this; it seemed rather the result of
: too active mind, as if one impulse banshe
! another before it had wrought out its fulfi
ment.
Her thoughts we're now filled with Ii
good which she would do for the child, VIII
z she fully believed had been directed of hea
; en- to her residence, that she might have II
! opportunity Of usefulness Already she in
5 agined her growing up into graceful an
a beautiful woman, with a cultivated mind ar
H. heart endowed with all good gifts, and 81
: mentally exclaimed, This is my reward
h, The morrow came, and the little 81
il again appeared with her timid tones to plei
s. for "a little cold yictuas.'
e; Are people kind to you when you as
% them 2 said Adele, as she filled the me