Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-02-09

my shoes are all worn out SO, that they
say I'm not fit to be seen in a decen,
body's house,
And the child wept and sobbed again
Poor Mr.. Barker caught his breath sese.
raj times like person who strives to con-
ceal the emotion that nearly overmasters
him; and Mrs. Barker, unable TO contain
her feelings, laid her head down upon
James shoulder to hide her tears. The
little ones, understanding that all this was
an expression Of pain and grief, gathered
weeping, about their mother.
At last, Mrs. Barker, feeling that such
weakness on her part was not right, rails
ed herself up and said, with voice as
steady as she could command
Don't take il 10 heart, Jane. We vii
buy you a pair Of shoes with this dollar
and will alter you one Of my old frocks
to-day, SO that you can go back tomorrow
looking quite smart
But you want the dollar, mother in the
family replied Jane, looking up and dry.
ing hertears. 1T won't do for me to spend
il all for pair Of shoes
You must have shoes, you know, my
child. Those you have, are all worn out
We can't expect people to keep you, il
you have not decent clothes. So we will
buy you the shoes, and trust that Provi.
i,olp al
use your dollar in the family this week
you cannot earn us any thing next week
nor, perhaps at all. But if we buy the
shoes, and you go back, you will bring us
home a dollar next week, and SO on week
after week. II, is. therefore, best for us
that you should have the shoes. Don't
you think so?'
And Mrs Barker turned to her hus-
band.
i do certainly he replied.
And so it was determined that the shoes
should be bought, and that Jane should
see about the house and cook their frugal
dinner, while the mother altered one Of
her ola ROCKS TO lit her.
The old dress was brought down from
a closet up stairs, turned over and over
by Mrs. Barker, and examined in every
part, before she put the scissors into it. |,
was very thin in many places, and worn
clear through in others.
1T isn't worth the labor Of making over,
she at length said, letting it fall into her
lap. I'm sure it won't hold together two
weeks
Just as she said this, some one knocked
at the door, and William ran and opened
it. a colored man stepped in. and putting
down large basket on the floor, said
Il was told to leaxe this here and trun-
ed and wen: out before any one could ask
him question.
What does that meant asked Mr. Bar
ker, raising himselfup in the bed. There
must be some mistake
we will soon see,' replied his wife, lay
ing aside her work, and taking hold of the
basket, which proved to be heavy. twas
covered with newspaper, which, upon
removal, showed package neatly done
up. and marked New Years gift for Jane.
Jane, to whom this was handed, hurried
" broke the string, and out fell a pair of
strong leather shoes, very little worn, and
two pairs of warm stockings. But there
was still something else in the package.
which, upon examination, proved to be
handsome calico frock.
While Jane was examining the contents
Of her package, the mother was going
deeper into the basket The next things
taken out were a pair ofIndia rubber shoes,
a package of sugar. one of tea. another
Of coffee, and another containing six or
seven pounds of rice, each marked, y
New Years gift to Mrs. Barker There
there was a very good jacket and pair of
trowsers for William. and shoes and stock
ings for Philip and Hety; and last. pa
per Of sweet Malaga grapes, marked.
: For Mr. Barker and as much New ears
cake as could be crowded into the basket
between the other things.
Surprised, bewildered, vet happy even
to tears, was that poor family on this long
New Years morning.
where are they all from. motherl' ask
ed Mr.. Barker. as soon as he could speak
after the excitement of the first surprise.
Heaven only knows replied Mrs Bar
kcr. They are sent from above
and TO God We are thankful said the
sick man, lifting his eyes upward. He
that feedeth the ravens will not suffer us
to want
u know where they come FROM ex-
claimed Jane, breaking in upon her faith
er's expressions circumstances. and hold.