The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-01-01
The Poor Strawberry Boy.

called at the door oil rich mansion IN
lie square, in New York city, and
offered some baskets of strawberries for
sale. Having disposed ofthe fruit, he was
about to depart, when his attention was
arrested by the appearance ola 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 on
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 the
great millionaire-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 closely in his
rambles
81 am young"-he continued to him.
self-"would that l could make myself
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 straw
berry boy again stood with palpitating
heart, at the rich mans door. His fruit
was purchased as before, and he received
his money from the white hand of that
fair being, whom, from the moment he
first saw her, he dared to lovel
She spoke kindly to him, and babe him
call again.
He did not forget the order. He called
again and again, but the season was ad-
vancing, and the fruit had became a scar
city.
81 shall not be able to bring you any
more" he said one morning al am sorry,
for il was pleasure TO call here. But we
shall meet hereafter"
The young heart which huttered in the
bosom of that lovely girl was touched at
the musical, thought somewhat melan-
choly tone in which this was uttered, and
she timidly.replied that she would remem-
Der him."
We shall meet again, when, | promise
you, youlshall not be ashamed to..acknowl-
edge the acquaintance of the poor straw
berry boy"
She thought the language singular-but
they parted.
Three years had elasped The tide of
speculation which was then swelling in
our country, had not 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
open rose. She was fair indeed.
The service had ended-the magni6-
cient carriage stood at the Church door
the elegantly caparisoned horses paved
the ground uneasily, the liveried footman
held the door, and the wealthy merchant
handed his lovely daughter into the
coach amid the low obeisance of her gay
admirers.
Why does she not observe the homage
of her thousand butterfly fetterers.
A young. plainly dressed stranger
stands quietly ar the side of the Church
door, and her gaze for an instant is riv-
eted ON his features.
"Who can it be?' She remembers
no she cannot remember.
The carriage rolls on slowly towards
the stately mansion of that man of wealth,
and he discovers an uncommon quietness
in his daughters demeanor
"My dear Charlotte, are you 2"
mo father, no-I-am-veryw we'll"
They arrived at the door-the stranger
was there They alight-he extends a
slight, very slight, but respectful bow
to the heiress, and moves on.
A blush tinges that bright cheek she
recognizes him.
Charlotte retires to her chamber she
was unh appy-but "surely the stranger
was nothing to her or she to himl'
Time rolled on. 1t was the coolest
night of the uncommon cold winter of 35
and the memorable 10th of December
A fire had broke out in the evening, in
one of the principal streets of the great
commercial metropolis. 1t ragged violen-
tly, and at early morning on the succeed
ing day, great portion of the city lay in
ashes
The rich merchant, as was his wont,
alighted at the head of Wall-street, and
saw the ruins. He FASTENED to the scene.
Where was his store, his goods, his all !
The smouldering ruins before him an
sweredi
But he was insured, he should save
something at least. His policies were
looked after during the day-they had ex-
pired the week previously
The millionaire was comparatively a
beggar! He had stout heart though,
that rich poor man, and well he braved
the storm. He found however, that it
would be necessary to break up his estab-
lishment' at home, to meet some immedi-
ate pressing liabilities. His furniture was
sacrihced-his mansion was disposed of
his SPLENDID horses and carriages were
put into other hands and even Jessie
Charlotte's pretty coal black favorite, was
doomed to pass from them under the
hammer
Rut could not some friend he found wbo