American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-23

THE STRAWBERRY BOY.
On Il fine morning in the summer Of 30 a
handsome but we'll dressed boy called at the
door of rich mansion in Us square in
New York city, and offered some baskets of
strawberries for sale. Having disposed Of the
fruit, he was about to start, when his eyeS We're
arrested BY the appearance Of beautiful girl,
some twelve years old who crossed the hall
near the door She was the only daughter Of
the gentleman of the house, and though he
gazed on her but single moment, the kind
look she bestowed Oh him struck chord in
his heart which until that moment had never
vibrated.
''She is very lovely,'' he exclaimed mentally,
"but she is the daughter Of this great million
aire, she can be nothing to me-"
He returned to the field in search of more
fruit, but the remembrance of that sunny face
attended him in his rambos
II am Young" he continued to himself,
''Wouid | could make flyself worthy OF her
But then she is far above me, and this thought
though it did not Danish the feeling hushed it.
a week had passed, and the little strawber-
ny boy stood with a pa plating heart at the
rich mans door. His fruit was purchased as
before. and lac received his money from the same
white hand OF that fair being, whom from the
moment he first saw her, he dared to love.
Size spoke kindly to him and babe HIM to
call again.
He did not forget the order. He called again
and again, but the season was advancing, and
the fruit becoming a scarcity.
"I slsall not be able to bring you any more,
he said one morning, am sorry, for it was a
pleasure to call here. But we shall meet here
after
The young heart which auttered in the bo-
SOM Of that lovely girl, was touched at the mu-
steal, though somewhat melancholy tone in
which this was uttered, and she tmidly repli-
ed that ''she would remember him."
awe shall meet again, Miss, when promise
you, YOU shall not be ashamed to acknowledge
the poor strawberry boy.
She thought the language singular, but they
parted.
Three years had elapsed The tide ofspecu,
latiUn which was then swelling in our country,
had rot reached the '.food," and the man OF
wealth, with his beautiful daughter, rolled in
his splendid carriage along Broadway, upon a
fine Sabbath morning on the way to Trinity
Church. Charlotte was just turned sixteen
and the bright bud was Just changing to the
rose. She was fair indeed.
The services had ended--the magnificent
carriage stood at the Church door,-the elegant
ly caparisoned horses paved the ground enea.
sily--the livered footman held the door, and
the wealthy merchant handed his lovely daugh
ter into the coach amid the low obeisance o.
her gay admirers.
Why does she not observe the homage of hel
thousand butterfly fatterers.
A young plainly dressed stranger stands
quietly at the side Of the door of the church.
her gaze fer an instant is riveted on his ea-
lures.
'tWho can it be:'' She remembers-no she
cannot remember.
The carriage rolls slowly towards the state
ly mansion of the man OF wealth and he disco
vers an uncommon qTietless in his daughter
demeanor.
'Ny dear Charlotte, are you not ILL"
sNo father, no-I-am-very well.''
They arrived at the door-the stranger wa,
there. They alight, he extends a slight, a very
slight, but respectful bow to the heress
A blush tinges that bright cheek, she recog
nzes him.
Charlotte retres to her chamber, she was un.
happy, but surely the stranger was nothing to
her, or she to him.
Time rolled on 1t was the coolest night o.
the uncommon cold winter of 's5, and the me-
morable 10th of December. A fire broke out
in the evening in one of the principal streets
of the great commercial metropolis. 1t ragged
violently and at early morning on the sue.
ceeding day, great portion OF the city lay IN
ashes.
The rich merchant, as was his wont, alight-
ed at the head of Wall street, and saw the
ruins. He fastened to the somewhere was
his store, his goods, his ALI The smouldering
ruins before him answered.
But he was insured, he should save some
thing at least. His policies were looked after
during the day--they had expired the week
previous.
The millionaire was comparatively beggar
lie had stout heart, tho that rich poor man
and he braved the storm. He found, however
that it would be necessary to break up his es
Enlistment to meet some immediate pressing
Liabilities. His furniture was sacrificed, his
mansion was disposed of, his splendid horses
were put into other hands, and even Jessie,
Charlottes pretty coal black favorite, was
doomed to pass from them, "under the ham
mer"
But could not some friend be found whc
would purchase "Jessie,'' and retain her unit
the fury of the blast had passed
No. Every body was poor, every body hat
been ruined by the great fire, nobody had mo-
ney. Besides it was expensive keeping horses
''Poor Jessie, sighed her mistress, II hope
she will fail INTO good hands"
But nobody wanted jessie, and she wa:
thrown away upon II stranger. ..'up
'.Who did you say was the purchaser" in.
quired Charlotte of her father.
"a Mr., Manly, Think" said the father