Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-11-26

appeared TO be no person, aud then summoninp all
her determination, she entered, lifted loaf and fled
The shopkeeper saw her from behind He cried
loudly, ran out after her. and pointed her out to the
people passing by. The girl ran on. She was pur-
sued and finally a man seized the Loaf which she
carried. The object Of her desire taken away, she
had no motive to proceed and was seized at once
They conveyed her towards the office of the police
crowd as usual having gathered in attendance
The poor girl threw around her despairipq glances
which seemed to seek some favorable object from
whom to ask mercy. Az last, when she had been
brought to the court of the police, she saw before
her little girl of her own age, who appeared to
look upon her with glance full of kindness and
compassion. Under the impulse of the moment,
still thinking of her family, she whispered to the
stranger the cause Of her act of theft.
Father and MOTHER and my two brothers, are
dying for want Of bread"
"Wherc ?" asked the little girl anxiously.
"Rue-, No. TO-" She had only time
to add the name of her parents to this communica
ton, when she was carried before the commissary
of the police.
Meanwhile the poor family at home suffered all
the misories of suspense Fears of their chld's
Safety were added to the other Affections of The pa
rents. At length they heard footsteps ascending
the stairs. An eager cry of hope was uttered by
all the four inmates but alas a stranger appeared
in the place of their own little one Yet the stran.
ger appeared to them like an angel. Her cheeks
had beautiful bloom, and her haxen hair fell in
curls upon her shoulders She brought to them
bread, and a small basket of other provisions.
"Yonr girl" said she, "w not be back perhaps
to-day; but keep up your spirits, see what she has
sent you"
After these encouraging words, the young mes
senger put into the hands of the father five francs,
and then turning around to cast look Of pity and
satisfaction on the poor family who were overcome
with emotion, she disappeared
The history of these five francs is the most re-
markabe part of this affair. This little benevolent
fairy was, it is almost unnecessary to say the
who had been addressed by the abstractor of the
loaf at the police office. AS soon as she heard
what was said there, she he'd gone away resolved
to take some meat to the poor family. But she re-
membered that her mama from home that day,
and was at loss how to procure money or food
until she bethought herself Of a resource of very
strange kind.
She recolected hair.dr who lived near
her family. He often commended her beautiful
hair, and told her to come to him whenever she
wished TO have it cut, and he would give her louis
d or for it, This used to make her proud and
| pleased, but she now thought OF it IN different
way. In order to procure money for the assistance
of the starving family, she went straight to the
hair-dresseI's, put him in mind of his promise, and
offered to let him cut off her pretty locks for what
! he thought them worth.
Naturally surprised by such an application. the
hair dresser who was kind and intelligent man,
nrde inquiry into the cause of the young friends
visit. Her secret was easily drawn from her, and
it caused the har-dresser almost to shed tears OF
pleasure. He feigned to comply with the condl-
tions proposed, and gave the bargained 10 francs,
promising to come and claim his purchase at some
future day. The little girl then brought provis.
ions, got basket, and set out on her errand of
mercy. But before she returned, the hair.d dresser
had gone TO her mothers. found her at nome, and
tod Il, ..l-.
when the possesser Of the golden tresses came back
she was gratifed by being received in the open
arms OF her blessed and prasing parents.
| When the story was told at the police Office by
the hardresser the abstractor of the loaf was Wis
tied by no very severe punishment. The singular
circumstance raised many friends to the artisan
and his family, aud he soon restored to health
and comfort