Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-05-13
Select Gales.
CHARITY~"A TALE,
CHAPTER l.
Charity, for the love of Heaven
4 have nothing. my good woman.

The short-liYed sun OF a Wlntry day had SET,
and the dim twilight served but to show the
shivering figures as they rapidly traversed the
frozen pavement each TO his home or iavorite
haunt. Upon the marble steps of stately man
sion sat the crouchng form of her who had
begged in vain. The worn cloak which enveI-
opcd her had once been of rich material, and
the small foot and hand that pecPed above and
below it, might have attracted attention, mad
there been sufficient day light left to scrutlnlze
The loneliness, too, of that pale young face,
must if seen. have awakened interest," for the
human heart, however cold is never insensbc
+, beauty. After her last refusal, the poor crea-
ture rose from the steps, and holding by the iron
railing with one hand, drew her cloak more
closely round her, as she prepared again to face
the biting wind At that moment young girl,
who had run across the street,a was about to
ascend the steps, iostled her, and she sunk back
upon the cold marble.
i beg your PARDON said the child, 1T is so
icy that my foot slipped, and then, struck by the
hopeless wretchedness of the face turned to her,
she asked in tone Of silvery sweetness, are you
so very poor?'
Utterly pennless," replied the woman with
slight Scottish accent
Every emotion OF pity was aroused in that
Young heart, and emptying the contents of her
bag into the womau's lap, she said,
This is all have wish it were twice as
much
The blessings of breaking heart be upon
you, sweet young lady and the woman stole
softly away.
Now, if she goes, may never see her again,
soiloquzcd the child and perhaps she may die
Of want
Leaning on the railing, she peeped cautiously
through the blind, and seeing no one in the
spacious parlor, but servant who had just been
lighting the lamps, she tapped gently at the win
dow, which the man Instantly raised.
'Mogar, if ma inquiries for me, say | will be
back directly and the child dared down the
street
Miss Fanny" shouted the man, lit is too
late for you to be out alono'-but Fanny was
gone
She would certainly have missed the object Of
her pursuit, in the increasing darkness, had not
the gas lights begun to shed abroad there pier
cling rays, and she discovered the poor woman
as she was passing under one of them nearly a
square ahead. Redoubling her speed she over
took her, and too much out Of breath to speak,
caught hold of her cloak.
My child, why do you follow me- asked the
woman, turning hastily around.
4 want to 60 home with you
Home with me and wherefore Miss?
Wilson Fanny Wilson is my name
well, thea, Miss Wilson, why do you wish
to visit my wretched home!-child as you are,
have you no fear 2
Il am not child | am turned Of fifteen
though | am small, said the little lady gIancing
at the pantaete which encirced her ANGLES.
There was almost a smile on the poor crea-
lures face as she replied
My dear young lady, then you had better 60
back eau show you nothing in my wretched
garnet, bat straw pallet sick husband and
a starving child.
Only let me 60 with you, persisted the ear.
nest little being at her side 4 get plenty of
spending money, which will bring you every
day-besides,' she continued, pressing closer
the hand she held, your sad sweet face looks SO
like the picture Of my own angel mother
Poor child, you are then an orphan {?
mol have a father and d new mother, but
my own mothers picture hangs beside my bed,
and it is before that | say my prayers as | used
to do at her knee
The only reply was low sob, and the wo-
nun turned from the lighted street into narrow
court, which contained but solitary house. Ii
had been well built, but was falling 70 decay,
and, like its inmates, stood alonc and unsuppor-
ted. The pair assembled the FIRST flight of steps,
and entered large unexpected room. A few
haudsluI OF brush burnt in the chimney-pIace,
which cast a pickering and uncertain light upon
the bare walls and shaking windows, but seemed
to dlhuse very little warmth through the apart
ment Drawn directly in front of the fire was
a chds cot, aud kneeling beside it, the almost
boysh form of its father
His hands were clasped upon his brow, and
the ashy paleness of that cheek and lip told a
sad tale of suffering. The noise of an opening
door aroused him, and rising up he flung his
arms around his poor wife, and strained her to
his bosom.
My own love, this must not be- for two
hours have you been wandering about in the bit
ter cold, with only this bit of covering and as
he spoke he undid the fastenings of her cloak
and hood which fell to The floor The face and
figure thus disclosed was Of almost ETHEREAL beauty;
her hair, which curled in ringlets, was of rich
auburn hue, and gathered at the back Of her
head, but the wind had blown it about her face;
her eyes we're Of deep blue, and her skin like
Parlan marble save that on either cheek there
burned brig red spot and as she smiled upon
her husband, dmpe, which famine had not
quite destroyed, played about her mouth.
mo, Frederick, it's should chde. Did you
not promise to lie still till | came back land
here you are, up and dressed Believe me- love,
you are not equal to this exeltion, added she
gazing wistfuy into his sunken ewes.
Fanny Wilson, in the mean time had stood