The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-06
A CHILD OF SORROW.

During the late festive season, when those wb,
thought at all, reflected that eighteen hundred
and forty three years ago, the religion of The
heart, bringing peace and guod will on earth.
came to soften the rigor Of the form, little girl
not SIX years old had been observed by oaely
lady, sitting down on the step of door opposite
to her house. Ii seemed 10 belong to nobodv .
but at certain hour, there it was, wrapped in an
old shawl, crouched on the cold stone and rock
ing itself pensvely backwards and forwards more
like an allng woman Than child. Other chill
dren played around it, but this melancholy little
being mingled not in their sports but sat silen,
and solitary.
Soon afterwards it was sRen TO peep about the
area of the ady's house, and looked wistfuIly at
the kitchen windows. The lady, who was kind
TO children, thought that the little girl might be
trying 10 attract her notice, opened The door sud
uehiy and offered 1t some gingerbread. When
the door opened there a strange, eager ex
preston in the child's eyes but when She saw
ahe lady, she looked scared and Disappointed
ne KIND voice and manner soon re assured the
startled child, who thankfully took the offerinu.
broke 1t up into little bits n her hand and carried
II TO the door step opposite, where she again ouk
up her station Another child seeing the ginger
bread came up to the solitary infant who gave
the new conner some and by her gestures, the lady
thought that she was informing the other child
whence the gift came. After waiting considera
Die time without eating her gingerbread the Door
little girl rose dejecedly and walked away. still
looking back at the house.
day or two afterwards the same child was
seen lingering about the pavement near the area
ana hoiding out bit OF sugar candy in its tiny
fingers through the rails.
The lady, who thought that the child was
come to offer 1t out Of gratitude for the pinuer-
bread, went down into The area {; but as soon an
she appeared, the child ran away. Soon. again
however, the child was at its old station. the
doorstep opposite. The lady had mentioned this
10 her only female servant as very odd, but re
ceved no observation in reply.
One morning the door was opened to receive a
piece OF furniture and the same child again snd.
denly appeared, and advanced sealthily towards
the door. The lady, who was near, said. IS see
you - when the child Immediately retreated To
her door step.
This IS very extraordinary" said the lady To-
her servant, cannot make out what that child
wants"
:" Madam" said the servant bursting into tears,
&" it is my chd'
T." Your child ?"-But go, bring her in Where
does she live 2"
WIN my sister, and she goes TO school. I
have told her never to come here but the poot
thing ,o'H come every bit Of piay-time she gets
That day you thought she was offering YOU some
sugar candy, ! had been TO the school and given
her penny when school was over she came To
give me bit of sugar candy she had bought. O..
ma am have mercy-forgiye me Do not send
me away!"
The lady, who had known adversity, looked
grave II is true, but did not shrink from the low.
ly sinner, although she had become mother he.
fore she had been made wife by the CAV cavalier
who had deceived and forsaken her. Nor did
she turn her out upon the wide world. in the
Vlrtuous sternDess of her Indignation. To the
greet horror of some'of her neighbours she told her
servant that her child might come to see her every
Sunday, beginning with the next. When the
child, who was no longer the moping creature
which 1t had been before it was admitted to the
mother, heard this, she Immediately and anxious
~ inquired, " How many days and nights is il to
Sunday 2" W
oome may sneer at this to me there is some
thing painfully affecting in the quiet, subdued do.
neanor OF this offspring of shame, timidly watch
ing to obtain glimpse of her who had borne il
al an age when happier children are never with
out those greatest enjoyments, the earesses Of
mother. Think of the misery Of this door child
driven from ihe mere instinct of longing for lie
parent, to the staid demeanor Of age, whilst the
other merry little ones were sporting around il
mink what she must have suffered as she p,zed
day after day at The frowning door that shut ont
more than all the worlds value to her. Think
OF the suffering mother, dreadinp to lose. with
heI place and character, the means of supporting
her hapIess, prematUrely old infant o, man.
man nan 'hou hast much to answer or!-Hood'.
Magazine.