Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-04-19


drowned, and never should see her again. And
then | wanted to bn drowned too but they said
that was wicked, and | was sorry | had said so,
for would not be wicked for the world. Moth
or always loved to have ma good; and so | tried
to be as happy they told me | must but l
could not-not for good while used to pine
so at night for her dear arms round me AT last
found little comfort in doing just as know
she would like to have me, and III knowing that
she could see me still, and in talking to her; and
used to sing my little hymn to her up in heaven
lust as used to when | sat On her knee, and
sing it now every night. Mr.. Smith and his wife
both died and left me all alone again; but am
hardly ever sad now, for am almost always
good. and YOU know good people must not be UNI
happy and the beautiful loving smile shone a.
gain through her lingering tears, as she finished
her simple story.
Russell was touched to the heart.-His own
ewes were moist and bending down, he kissed
the innocent check of the littb orphan. and babe
her 90 with him and he would giver her money
to clothe and feed herself.
But the child drew gently YET somewhat proud
ly back, and said earnestly Oh never tako
money as gift mother would not like it,
Then. kissing tcnderly the gerlc hand. that still
held hers, she trippcd lightly r'und corner. and,
a moment after, Hartley heart her soft, silvery,
childish treble. far in the distance, singing, Mat
ches, matches Six for a flip! Who ii buy my
Matches &c.
Russell Hartley kept that sweet picture in his
soul, undimmcd, through yoTs Of travel, and
change and caro-. He visited with enthusiasm,
the noble galleries of painting. and culpture in
England, France and Italy, aid many gem of
art was cnshrlned and hallowd in the Mosaic ia
bles of memory. but there to rival the
gem of nature--the matches little match girl of
Kentucky with her fair hair streaming on her
scanty red cloak. the glad and innocent smile in
her childish eyes, and the lovely sun beam steal-
ing through tho hole in the old straw hat to light
as with message from Heaven the lovely head
of the orphan girl. The beautiful ray of light /!
-mado more beautiful by its chosen resting
place, giving and receiving grace 1t seemed a
symbol Of tho Fathers love for the poor little
motherless wandcrcr. 1t only the hole III
tho hat that let in the slfnc-it was her pow
crty and her lonely, lowly state that made her
especially the child of His divine pity and ten
derness and they. like ths sun beam, changed
to gold her daily care, and smiled through every
cloud that crossed her little leart.
Seven years flew by-on butterfly wings to Joy
and thoughtlessness, on leaden ones to sorrow and
hope deferred and our little Virginia, a
lovely girl of seventeen, had earned money G.
nough by her bewitching way Of offering match
es for sale TO introduce herself as pupil into one
of the first boarding schools f the country not to
commence, but to finish her education for with
a passionate love of books she had found means to
cultivate her taste in many ways.
The lovely and lonely httleorphan had strug-
gled with hunger and cold md fatigue, with
temptation in its most allurng and beguiling
forms with evil in thousand sapes, vet she had
kept the heavenly shine of Ter soul pure and
unclouded through it all. She lad never taken
money in gift nor as bride She had assisted
from her little store many chill of misfortune
still humber and poorer than herself; and, with
faith, truth and purlty-an angl guard around
her-by the light OF her own innocent smiles she
glided like star through the gathering cloud un-
harmed, unstained, unshadowed. In the words
of our beautiful poet
"Peace charmed the street, ben cath her feet,
And honor charmed the ar,''
and musc-the music Of her own sweet heart
and silver voice went always With her through
tho world.
1t was on the evening preceding that on which
the annual ball of the school took place. The
young ladies were discussing, round the school
room fire. the dresses they wele to wear. Vir-
ginia, little apart, listened to them, and half de-
string she had fairy god mother like Cinderella 8
to deck her for the festival. Pearls; diamonds,
japoncas Satins, laccs, velvets She alas !!
had none of these, She had only tho plain, white
dress, in which she had been crowned Queen of
not even a bit of trimming round the throat
And what are you to wear, Miss Lendon said
one of the aristocrats of the school, turning with
what she fancied an imperial air toward tho young
stranger.
Virginia blushed, and said, SIMPLY, my white
muslin
"And what ornament
Virginia smiled. Oh | can find some bright
autumn leaves for wreath.
Imogene Grey would have glvon her diamond
necklace for such blush and smile for her
own 81 low cheek was never Illunna ted bnt she
sneered nevertheless at the white muslin and gar
land of leaves, and deigned 10 ask no further
questions.
Virginia's delicate and sensitive spirit felt the
sneer intensely, and she left the room with a
swelling heart and fearful eye. Once safe, how
ever, in the asylum of her own little chamber,
peace descended like dove into her soul, and af-
ter undressing, she knelt In her prayers, and then
she sung her little childish hymn
OF old, the Apostle walked the wave,
As seamen walked the land,