Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1846-01-22
Miscellaneous.
From he Ladies National Magazine.
THE LOAF OF BREAD.
M JANE WEAVER.

Prom the Ladits National Magazine.
THE LOAF OF BREAD.
M JANE WEAVER.
Buy my matches-ohl do buy them,
cir said . plaintive voice. ~
The person addressed. clad in an over.
coat, was bressiing the sharp wind Of 4
December day. his throa: was muffled up,
leaving only 8 portion OF bis face dlscerna-
BILE, but his 4ress bespoke one in comforts.
BILE circumstances
4 don't want your matches. lad. said
be.
But do buy them-six boxes for fip.i
Get out OF the way, said .he man
sharply. Tor the lad stopped the path.
oh do buy some, said fhe boy, de.
tanning him by the skirt OF bis coat, mo
Their is sick and I've had nothing 10 cal
to-day. Do buy fps worth
The man hesitaied. The natural i'm
pulses Of his heart were for good but b.
was one accustomed 10 think the world
wore than il was.
sPshawP be said, that 10 the old sto.
~: &c, ont Of the wy. you young scamp
o: I'll have you arrested u,
The boy neeklye drew back, 5ut teal
fIoze on his cheek in thai bitter blast
though the rich man saw y mol. for be
hurried on.
TWAS getting late. end the streets would
have bsen pitch dark. but for the lamps Iha
q long inletssls, Ii up fhe night. Few
were abroad in thai wintry weather, and
90 The boy stood shiyering At bis post fol
q long while before . second passenger
came by. Poor fellow he was thinly
clad. and bis lips were blue with cold
yet he kept bis station vsinly oaering BIZ
matches. but finding no buyers.
Ten o'clock struck. and with the tear,
falling fast. be TUNED bis footsteps 10
wards The cellar 10 which he lived. H,
bad been out al dsy ard sold nothing
nor had morsel Of food crossed b,
mouth since The night before. But b.
thought more OF bis sick mother than o
himself. The little capital had been ex.
hausted in the purchase OF his mssehes
and they bad not cent Remaining.
He paused. for 81 that instant the lisht
from . bakers shop streasaed cross ID.
street. The baker was just shutting up
his back was turned, the door was invil
ingly open, and within reach lay pile o
loaves. A sudden impulse seized, In.
boy. An hour previous be had yainly
begged 81 the same shop. and that mat
roughly ordered him away. He had ne
yer stolen before. bat now an irresisiibl,
temptation seized him. Should hi. mo
Their stsrve. when single loaf nigh. say,
her. He rushed 10. grasped the prize
and dashed down the street.
'Hillo-stop their said the baker
turning around jus: IN time 10 see th,
act. .
The boy heard The cry. and trembling
all over. fear lent speed 10 bis feet. snt
be ran swiftly on. now end then turnin,
back 10 see if bis pursurers gained Of
him.
Stop ihiefistop ihiefiI stop thiefl |
was the cry that rung from As may pur
surers, Is. looking from. their shops thsj
caught ,isshl Of lhs fugitive and joined il
The chase.
The boys heart beat wildly be me
chanicslly turned bis Steps 10 the celia
where be lived; the narrow alley IN which
il was. opened Into street just ahead
and be siIove desperately 10 gain It'll,
waichm an 'srattles were now heard in from
behind. all around. like . hsoied stag
painting aud frighiend. be gained the en-,
| OF the alley and dashed into the dark tho
lrouehfsre. Bat ct the insisni mai
sprsng out Of The corner house and seize,
1.-The faeilive.
.Ah. you young ihief-you were near
tly oEl-come aloag-I am magisiFai
-you shall 60 to JAIL and with thes
| words he dragged he culPsit into bis ol
Gee.
The boy burst issoteavs.
oh SIR he said let ne 60. I onl
s.ole aloaf Of bread. and woalda't hsy
done il. but We are starving. Mothe
and / have not eaten any thing to-day
and mother l. sick. fnever stole before
Let ne 20, and ri never do Il again.
The magistrates Office was now full ,
| people. The baker being smong the lon
Der. The boy uss sobbins piieousl.
The nseisipaie ordered lights. fOr hithel
l 10 ihs soom had been dsTk.
The young villisn--so early 10 crimes
these match boys should ~ - ssnt
the house o. refuge. sald one
| lhsss seen die rascal pror!ing abo'
ny door CT The l1st hour, said The 3